Zel Skin offers FDA–Approved Non–Invasive Technology, CoolSculpting
Zel Skin & Laser Specialists announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved CoolSculpting by Zeltiq for non–invasive fat reduction. Brian Zelickson, MD, medical director of Zel Skin & Laser Specialists in Minnesota, was the first physician in the United States to use the new non–invasive technology outside of clinical studies to cool and gently reduce fat cells in targeted areas. The procedure results in a noticeable, natural–looking fat reduction in treated areas without the need for needles, incisions, anesthesia, pain medication or recovery time.
CoolSculpting uses an advanced tissue cooling technology to safely target and remove fat cells without harming the skin. During the procedure, a non–invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to target and remove fat cells in specific areas of the body. In the months following the procedure, there is a gradual reduction in the thickness of the fat layer. Two to four months after the initial procedure, patients meet with their physician to assess the cosmetic improvement and consider whether additional procedures are necessary to achieve more fat reduction.
Harvard Medical School
The science behind Zeltiq came from Harvard Medical School dermatologists at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Since its initial discovery, the Zeltiq Procedure has been studied by leading aesthetic specialists around the world, including Dr. Zelickson who directed a clinical trial on Zeltiq at Zel Skin & Laser Specialists. Despite the name, Dr. Zelickson is on the medical advisory Board of Zeltiq and does not have a proprietary interest in the company.
“This is the very first technology that reduces fat in a non–invasive fashion with literally no discomfort,” said Dr. Zelickson. “It was conceived of by dermatologists having significant knowledge of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The procedure is specifically targeted to the fat as well as being very gentle and safe. We are excited to offer this to our patients.”
The CoolSculpting Procedure
A physician performs or supervises the procedure in a medical office. Zeltiq’s advanced cooling technology is effective for spot treatment of localized fat deposits. It works best on modest fat bulges in highly–targeted areas often referred to as love handles, back fat or saddlebags. Through controlled cooling of fat cells, Zeltiq crystallizes lipids in the body to induce a natural, controlled reduction of fat cells–clinically known as apoptosis. The body’s normal metabolic processes gently remove the treated fat cells.