I Tried CoolSculpting and Venus Cellulite and….

It’s hard to ignore those brochures in the Dermo office. Get rid of wrinkles, fat, age spots, cellulite. With a little bit of cash, one can cheat time, gravity and in some cases genetics … just ask your doctor for details. I’ve been reading these slick brochures for years and have on occasion brought one home. Hence, in preparation for an upcoming article on non-invasive cosmetic procedures, our editorial team agreed to spread out, combat style, into the strip malls, hair salons and doctor’s offices in the Bay Area to find the fountain of youth, via our Visas.

Perhaps because I am the only one on our edit team over 50, or because I am embarking on a new life, post-divorce, I was the only one who really went into battle. I also had a little extra cash in my bank account because of the collateral from the aforementioned divorce. My goal: step into this new chapter with some serious self care and understanding of what I can store in my beauty armory moving forward.

What I learned:  

CoolSculpting

From the official website:

The CoolSculpting® procedure was invented by Dieter Manstein from Massachusetts General Hospital and Rox Anderson from Harvard Medical School. Their early prototype was created to advance Cryolipolysis studies that were being done on pigs in 2008.

Fun Fact:

Cryolipolysis was originally founded from the idea the kids who sucked on enough popsicles would develop dimples in their cheeks. [Edit note: WHAT? Not sure if this is science or speculation, but had to add it] The CoolSculpting® was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of fat on flanks (sides) in 2010, and then approved for the stomach in 2012. ZELTIQ introduced more applicators, and a new model for the thighs was approved in 2015. CoolSculpting® uses the controlled application of cooling to reduce a group of fat deposits to reshape your body, or sculpt your body’s contours. CoolSculpting® is seen as a successful and safe, non-surgical alternative to liposuction. It reduces the fat in the areas you wish to be treated by 20%!

Prior to this “research” I had seen positive results from this procedure with friends. However, I had heard more often than not, that they didn’t see any difference and it was a waste of time and money.

Despite these warnings, my growing gut was really bothering me. I couldn’t figure out if this belly fat was hormones or newly adopted bad eating habits. I perused Groupon for specials and landed on a series of four, from a salon on Union street in San Francisco. I put down my credit card and showed up the next week for what I can only describe as torture.

My first thought when the technician administered the massage (breaking up the fat cells) portion of the procedure, was “these women are heros!” The men and women who have been pioneers in these vanity-inspired procedures have spent millions of dollars and endured excruciating pain, all in the name of fitting into my jeans from college. And for that, I thank them.

After the treatment (which was the equivalent of one of my mortgage payments) the technician said that I would need a couple more sessions to see a difference, and it would take 90 days to see results. I immediately regretted my decision, and was ready to put my session into the “waste of time and money” camp. However, a week later my co-worker appeared with an offer to from the CoolSculpting corporation to try it out. I decided to give it another shot.

Soon enough, I walked into Roxanne Krempa’s office on Post Street in San Francisco. I felt a very different vibe than the last my earlier experience. Roxanne works with Dr. Kathleen Welsh, and has been doing these procedures since 2009. They were one of the first offices in the country to get the machines.

Her introduction was a bit different, more of a good news/bad news situation. The good news, is yes, I will see results, the bad news, in order to fully treat my back I would need six applications (three per side) and I would need to repeat that process in two to three for a total of 12 treatments in one area. 

Details:

What looks and feels like suction cups are placed on the area to be treated for 35 minutes, which is not uncomfortable, just a little odd. Immediately after removal, (here’s where the treatments can vary between practices) the area is ‘massaged’ to bring blood flow into the frozen cells, which kills additional cells. 

The cost ranges from $600-$750 per cycle, so assuming $700, times that by 12 to complete one area and would cost $8,400. “You definitely make an investment in yourself with CoolSculpting, says Roxanne, “but you will want to focus on one body part so you can actually see the changes.”  It takes about 90 days to see the full results, and all treatments can be done within six months. The most popular areas to treat are the abdomen, backs, upper arms, flanks (love handles), anywhere on the back, inner or outer thighs and chin. 

Results:

I can understand why people think it doesn’t work, which is how I felt when I did my abdomen. According to Roxanne, this is a tougher spot,  because on me this fat was visceral, and located behind the muscle. Roxanne targeted my back, where it is usually easier to see results. It took a few months, but I have absolutely noticed a difference. Bad news is now I want to do more!

Venus Cellulite

From the official website:

Venus Legacy™ uses Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields to produce heat under the skin’s surface. This process helps to naturally increase collagen and elastin fibers. At the same time, an adjustable pulsed suction (called VariPulse™) gently works to pull the skin upward, allowing the energy to travel deeper and providing more comfortable and effective treatment. The result is a body that looks slimmer and more sculpted, skin that looks tighter, and cellulite that almost disappears.

When my longtime friend, Hope Daly, who has worked with SkinSpirit for years, learned of our ‘project’, she encouraged me to try this unique and painless procedure. I went into the sunny Mill Valley location feeling like this might be awkward if I don’t see results. I hadn’t done any previous research on this treatment, and didn’t know of anyone who had done it. 

My technician, Mallory Holguin, the technician who worked on me, explained that she has a long list of regulars, as she ran the super tech, cellulite destroyer up and down my thighs. This is another good news/bad news scenario. The treat emend works, but it requires a series of six sessions at once, and then follow up appointments every six week, or as needed.  

Details:

The entire appointment is about fifteen minutes and is painless. It feels a little awkward, but very doable. There is no downtime and no prep.

Results:

Full disclosure, I only did one treatment, but the results were immediate. I wouldn’t say my legs had that Photoshopped perfection, but I did see a noticeable difference, which lasted for probably a week or so. Eventually those lovely dimples returned.

Treatment room at Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatologists

So far these are all I can report on… stay tuned as my continual quest to use science to deflate aging continue.