Will CoolSculpting Affect Thyroid Area at All If I Do It on My Neck?

Age, genetics, and certain habits can lead to the formation of a double chin or ‘turkey neck’ among men and women alike. CoolSculpting is one of the best ways to correct this cosmetic problem. However, some patients may be concerned about CoolSculpting contraindications -- especially if they have a thyroid issue. 

So will CoolSculpting your neck affect your thyroid area? No, CoolSculpting will have no adverse effects on your thyroid. If you’re a patient who wants to undergo CoolSculpting for submental fullness, the procedure is safe as long as it’s performed by a board-certified practitioner. 

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CoolSculpting The Thyroid Area: What You Should Know

Each of us has a predetermined amount of fat that is set when we are adolescents and remains with us as we grow older. When it comes to the neck area, we get a double chin due to a number of factors like: 

• Weight gain: A lack of exercise and unhealthy dietary habits can increase our weight and make our chin look thick and prominent.
• Aging: Fat naturally accumulates as we grow older, especially among women who are experiencing menopause. The skin laxity also increases as collagen production slows down, leading to the formation of multiple chins or loose skin flaps in the neck area. 
• Genetics: Sometimes, a fatty neck area is a genetic trait that is passed down from generation to generation. If your ancestors had a double chin, it’s likely that you will develop one as well. Often, your genetic priority system will distribute the extra calories you gain to the next genetically-determined area for additional fat.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Most of us spend a lot of time on our smartphones, laptops, and other devices that keep us holding our heads in a downward position. This bad posture, combined with gravity, can lead to an increase in the size of your chin and a sagging neckline.
• Health-related issues: Medical conditions can contribute to the formation of a thicker chin and neck, such as an underactive thyroid, a sinus infection, kidney disorders, Cushing’s disease, or a salivary gland inflammation. 

Fortunately, there are a number of remedies for this cosmetic problem. Minimizing your time on these devices, paying attention to your posture, and maintaining an exercise and diet regimen are a few of the things you can do to keep your neckline slim and firm. If you want to lose this fat quickly, however, the best remedy is CoolSculpting.

CoolSculpting is a treatment that uses innovative technology based on the science of cryolipolysis, which involves freezing fat cells to eliminate them. Once the body disposes of the fat layer as waste, you can have a much better figure. 

Thyroid and Fat Loss 

It’s important to note that the thyroid regulates our metabolism. Irregular amounts of the thyroid hormone can lead to sudden weight gain, hair loss, and fatigue -- among other symptoms; in fact, obesity and problems with thyroid function are closely linked. 

A thyroid disease like hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland in the neck produces too little of the thyroid hormone, may cause a sudden accumulation of fat in the neck and chin. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, may likewise cause the same problem. In such cases, thyroid medication can regulate the amount of hormones produced by the body. 

Some patients may also have a thyroid nodule around the neck area. These abnormal growths in the thyroid gland may be solid or filled with fluid; most nodules don’t cause any symptoms, although a small percentage may be cancerous. With CoolSculpting, these concerns won’t prevent patients from receiving treatment; even a history of thyroid cancer is not a contraindication for the cosmetic procedure. 

The specially-shaped CoolSculpting applicator called CoolMini is placed just underneath the chin, which is above and away from the thyroid. The body contouring process won’t damage the thyroid nor cause any adverse effects for it. 

Potential Risks and Side Effects of CoolSculpting the Neck 

CoolSculpting was approved by the FDA in 2010 and is largely viewed as a safe, non-invasive method for fat reduction. Unlike traditional plastic surgery procedures like liposuction, neck lift, or breast augmentation, CoolSculpting is free of incisions, anesthesia, and tissue manipulation. Patients can immediately resume their normal activities after treatment. 

Aside from the initial cold, tugging sensation when the applicator is first placed under the chin, most patients don’t feel anything during the procedure. After five minutes, the treatment area numbs and the discomfort disappears. Minor side effects may occur after the CoolSculpting is finished, but these go away after a few days or weeks as the fat cells are removed by the body. These include: 

• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Temporary redness, tenderness, or skin sensitivity
• Firmness and minor swelling
• Muscle weakness or cramping
• Bruising or tenderness
• Stinging, tingling, or mild pain
• Itchiness
• Diarrhea (when the dead fat cells are removed)
• Feeling of fullness in the throat

In rare cases, the fat cells respond to the CoolSculpting by enlarging, rather than dying. This condition is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), which has a 0.0051% chance of occurring. While no one knows why it happens, PAH mostly appears in male patients being treated in larger areas of the body like the abdomen. It’s not a life threatening issue, but it does require surgical intervention to reverse the bulge in the skin. 

The risks, side effects, and complications associated with CoolSculpting depend on the medical professional performing the procedure. A trusted dermatologist or plastic surgeon will not recommend CoolSculpting for patients who: 

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or attempting to get pregnant 
• Are taking blood thinners regularly  
• Have weak immune systems, nerve conditions, or chronic panic conditions 
• Have conditions that alter the body’s ability to handle cold temperatures like cold agglutinin disease, cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria 
• Have Raynaud’s disease 
• Have bleeding disorders that thin the blood 
• Have a history or hernia near the treatment area 
• Have an inflammatory skin condition, scar tissue, or open/infected wounds near the treatment site 
• Have an active, implanted neurostimulators and other medical devices 

If you’re considering CoolSculpting, it’s best to consult thoroughly with your physician or an expert CoolSculpting provider. They will discuss your medical history and help you find the best solution for slimming down your neck and tightening the skin. 

Learn more: Will CoolSculpting on My Neck Create Saggy Skin?

What The CoolSculpting Experience Is Like 

Overall, CoolSculpting is considered to be a safe and effective way to reduce the number of fat cells in a pinchable target area. It’s been proven effective on minor fat deposits in the abdomen, thighs, flanks, upper arm, back (bra fat), buttocks, under the chin, and upper neck areas. Although you can get a firmer abdomen after a CoolSculpting treatment, it’s not a treatment for weight loss. 

CoolSculpting and other submental area treatments work best on patients who have visible fat bulges but are close to their ideal weight. The procedure is designed to dissolve the stubborn fat cells that refuse to disappear with diet and exercise. 

In order to freeze the fat layer below the skin’s surface, the CoolSculpting mini -- the cooling and body sculpting device made for the chin and neck area -- is put under the chin and held in place by a strap around the head. Overall this process is gentle and relaxing, but claustrophobic patients may find the applicator cooling panels uncomfortable. 

Once the device is activated by the treatment specialist, the cooling and suctioning begins. Patients can relax, read, or watch movies for the hour-long procedure, while their fat cells are cooled to 39°F. An experienced provider would then remove the applicator and massage the skin under the chin to maximize the treatment. The full results will be seen in two months, as the body disposes of the dead fat cells as waste. 

Read more: CoolSculpting For Turkey Neck

Alternatives to CoolSculpting 

Larger necks that extend laterally can easily be debulked through body contouring. However, mild to moderate necks may find a Kybella injection to be a better treatment. Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable that contains deoxycholic acid, which is designed to melt chin fat. Patients are cautioned against Kybella, as an allergic reaction to the product may occur. Kybella also promotes a long downtime due to excessive swelling in the injection site. 

If the problem is loose skin, rather than fat, Botox or a dermal filler could help. While botulinum toxin is mostly used for facial wrinkles, Botox can help minimize the lines around the neck. A dermal filler could also be used to volumize the area and keep the skin from sagging. It’s important to find the right filler product, of course, as some like the Juvederm Voluma XC injectable gel is more appropriate for lip augmentation. Of course, Botox, dermal fillers, Kybella, and other skin rejuvenating procedures may also be combined with CoolSculpting for best results. 

Achieve Amazing Results at the NJ Center for CoolSculpting 

The NJ Center for CoolSculpting is the leading center for body contouring in the country. Our team of board certified doctors, aestheticians, and specialists perform hundreds of CoolSculpting sessions each month. We are dedicated to utilizing customized aesthetic procedures to safely and efficiently remove unwanted fat from your body. Let our expert team help you meet your fat reduction goals. Book a consultation with us today. 

Freeze Away Your Stubborn Fat Like Never Before

Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!

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