Give Fat the Cold Shoulder
Houston Dermatologist Dr. Paul M. Friedman Introduces CoolSculpting™ Fat Reduction by ZELTIQ
New York, NY (February 23, 2011) – After years of so-called “fat melting” devices, the newest way to banish bulges takes a colder approach – literally “freezing” your fat away! Houston Dermatologist Dr. Paul M. Friedman is one of the first in the Houston area to introduce ZELTIQ CoolScuplting, a FDA-cleared and patented method of fat removal.
According to Dr. Friedman, “CoolSculpting is a precise, non-invasive fat removal method which utilizes controlled cooling to kill fat cells without injury to the skin or other tissues.”
Dr. Friedman notes that CoolSculpting has an average of 20% fat reduction in each treated area. Patients typically start seeing results as soon as three weeks after treatment, with full results apparent after two to four months. Patients can have additional procedures for more pronounced effects if they so desire.
During a CoolSculpting procedure, a non-invasive applicator delivers controlled cooling to the treatment area to target underlying fat, leaving skin tissue unaffected. The CoolSculpting procedure lasts one to two hours, and patients may have additional procedures to increase fat reduction if desired.
The ZELTIQ system utilizes a patented method called Cryolipolysis, which naturally cools fat cells, causing them to eventually shrink and disappear. The ideal patient is someone looking for spot-reduction in stubborn areas like the love handles. Dr. Friedman says the painless procedure is an innovation in fat reduction technology that will help patients who had previously considered liposuction as their only alternative.
What happens during the procedure?
The patient and doctor first select the area(s) to be treated. For instance, if the patient’s goal is to reduce his or her love handles, the doctor will position the system on the patient’s side. The device then draws the bulge up between two cooling panels. The sensation is a firm tug and pull – enough of a pull to ensure the selected tissue will be cooled most efficiently.
What does it feel like?
As the panels go to work in the first few minutes, the patient feels a sensation of intense cold. This soon dissipates. The patient is seated comfortably or is lying down during the one to two hour procedure. Many people spend this time reading, working on their laptop, or simply relaxing.
Are the results permanent?
During the CoolSculpting procedure, the treated fat cells are eliminated. As long as the patient maintains his or her weight with their normal diet and exercise, long-term results should remain stable.
CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ is not intended as a weight-reduction program for overweight individuals. The best candidates for the CoolSculpting procedure are people near their ideal body weight who eat well and exercise regularly and have pockets of fat that have not responded to a healthy lifestyle. They are seeking long-lasting spot reduction for this specific area of fat, but they are not considering a surgical procedure with its inherent expense, downtime, and safety risks.
About Paul M. Friedman, M.D.
Paul M. Friedman, M.D. is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology, specializing in dermatologic laser surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery. He is the co-author of “Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin.” He completed his residency in dermatology at the New York School of Medicine, one of the nation’s top dermatology residency programs.
Dr. Friedman is the Director of The Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas and also practices at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York in Manhattan. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical School, Department of Dermatology, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Friedman is on staff at Texas Children’s Hospital and Memorial-Hermann Hospital in Houston. For more information, please visit www.dermlasersurgery.com.
About ZELTIQ
Founded in 2005, ZELTIQ™ is a global medical device company that developed its patented, noninvasive, clinically proven procedure to selectively reduce fat. The initial Cryolipolysis™ research and patents were originated at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, by Dr. Dieter Manstein and Dr. R. Rox Anderson. ZELTIQ has exclusive rights to this innovative, “cool” approach to permanently removing fat. CoolSculpting™ is cleared in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other international markets for non-invasive fat layer reduction. For more information, please visit www.coolsculpting.com.
For more information about Dr. Paul Friedman or to request an interview, please contact Joanna Kornfeld at joanna@dermlasersurgery.com