While traditional liposuction has proven itself effective through the years and producing significant results, some patients hesitate about the possible risks from surgery, scarring, and longer recovery time. The good thing is that experts have now developed non-surgical treatments for removing diet-resistant pockets of fat, such as SlimLipo and CoolSculpting.
So which is the better fat reduction procedure for you between SlimLipo and CoolSculpting? The best fat loss treatment depends on your priorities. SlimLipo is a minor surgical procedure that offers more significant results than CoolSculpting in a single session but with longer recovery time and possible scarring. CoolSculpting requires additional treatments to achieve your esthetic goals, but it’s convenient with minimal downtime as a non-invasive procedure.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!
SlimLipo and CoolSculpting are effective body contouring treatments that can remove fat deposits that are difficult to burn with diet and exercise. However, these fat removal methods still have stark differences, and one solution may be more suitable for you than the other, depending on your case. To know the better fat reduction treatment for you between SlimLipo and CoolSculpting, you'll have to consider how they work, procedure, results, treatment time, and cost.
SlimLipo and CoolSculpting are effective treatments for removing unwanted fat cells, leaving your body with more improved contours. But as far as how they work is concerned, these two procedures are the exact opposite of each other.
A type of laser liposuction, SlimLipo melts fat cells under your skin, making it easier for the cannula to suction it out of your body. This popular treatment offers a less invasive option than traditional liposuction. It can melt fatty tissue even in areas difficult to reach.
While SlimLipo uses laser lipo procedure or lipolysis, CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive treatment that eliminates fat cells by inducing cell death on your fat cells using cold temperature. Your body's metabolism will absorb the dead fat cells and dispose of them.
SlimLipo and CoolSculpting are nonsurgical procedures, unlike the usual Liposuction. However, they still have differences. SlimLipo is a minimally invasive procedure or a minor surgical treatment that will still require a small incision at the treated area, while CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that only uses an applicator to remove fatty acids.
Patients can expect to receive local anesthesia when undergoing the SlimLipo, while plastic surgeons can also give general anesthesia for treatment involving multiple areas. After making a small incision, as small as a 1/4″, the medical professional will insert a small laser that will melt or liquefy the fat. They will then insert a cannula (a thin hollow needle) to suction the melted fat under the skin.
With CoolSculpting, you'll be receiving no incisions or anesthesia at all. This treatment offers a comfortable procedure, where your practitioner will place an applicator on the treated area to apply cold temperature to the fat. Expect a cold and pulling or sucking sensation until you experience numbness. This process freezes fat cells for them to die, get absorbed by the body, and excreted naturally.
CoolSculpting and SlimLipo are effective cosmetic procedures for removing diet-resistant or pinchable fat. SlimLipo offers a more aggressive treatment option than CoolSculpting as it can remove about 50 to 70% fat in a single session. CoolSculpting removes about 20 to 25% of fat, requiring repeated sessions to have the desired appearance.
Here are the areas these procedures can treat:
While traditional liposuction may cause the skin to become a bit loose, CoolSculpting and SlimLipo result in the opposite: these treatments are effective in skin tightening. However, both procedures aren’t considered weight loss solutions, as patients must be close to their ideal weight to undergo the treatment.
SlimLipo procedure may take longer than CoolSculpting but not as long as the traditional liposuction. The treatment time usually takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the amount of fat needed to melt and the number of areas you want to have treated. CoolSculpting will take about an hour per treatment area.
CoolSculpting offers minimal downtime as a non-invasive procedure, so patients may resume their normal activities right after the treatment. As a minor surgical solution, SlimLipo may require more days of downtime, as patients are required to rest for 1 to 2 days and wait for about 3 weeks before engaging in strenuous activities.
Both body sculpting treatments are safe with minimal risks. But treatment with laser lipo may come with similar risks as the traditional liposuction, although greatly reduced. Side effects from SlimLipo are the following:
CoolSculpting is FDA-approved, so patients can expect a safe procedure. The side effects of this treatment are the following:
CoolSculpting and SlimLipo are safe procedures with rare instances of long-term risks. Ensure seeking treatment from reliable plastic surgery clinics to reduce the risks of serious side effects.
SlimLipo may be more expensive than CoolSculpting at around $2,500 to $5,500 per area, while CoolSculpting might cost between $2,000 to $4,000. These are only estimates because the exact price of these procedures will still depend on your location, treatment area, and your chosen clinic.
CoolSculpting requires more treatment sessions, so your total spending will still depend on how many sessions you need to achieve your esthetic goals.
SlimLipo | CoolSculpting | |
Type of Procedure | Minimally invasive or minor surgery | Noninvasive |
How They Work | Uses a laser to melt fat deposits | Promotes cell death by freezing the fat cells to be eliminated by the body’s metabolism |
Procedure | Plastic surgeons will provide anesthesia. They will then create a small incision where the laser will be inserted to target fat cells. They will suction out the melted fat using a cannula | Plastic surgeons will place the CoolSculpting applicator over the targeted area to freeze fat cells. |
What to Expect from Results | Removes 50 to 70% of the fat in a single treatment session Effective for body contouring Highlights muscle tone Effective for skin tightening Not a weight loss solution Not advisable for removing large fat deposits | Removes 20 to 25% of fat in a single treatment session Effective for body contouring Effective for skin tightening Not a weight-loss treatment |
Treatment Time | 1 to 3 hours | 1 hour |
Downtime | 1 to 2 days | Minimal |
When to Expect Results | 3 to 6 months | 2 to 3 weeks |
Pros | Reduces more fat Has more precise body contouring No nearby tissues damaged | Non-invasive Fewer risks Less scarring FDA-approved Less expensive Permanent results No nearby tissues damaged Convenient |
Cons | Requires more days of downtime More invasive Uncomfortable Has risks of scarring | Requires multiple treatment sessions for significant results Subtle results per session |
The better procedure for you between CoolSculpting and SlimLipo will depend on your preference. Both body sculpting treatments are effective. SlimLipo may offer more significant results than CoolSculpting, but it's also more invasive, requires more recovery time, and carries more risks and discomfort. CoolSculpting requires multiple treatment sessions to achieve your esthetic goals, but it's much more comfortable, non-invasive, and offers minimal risks.
Know more about the popular options for fat reduction and consult a reliable esthetic plastic surgery clinic, such as NJ Center for CoolSculpting. Visit our clinics for a consultation or contact our hotlines today.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!