What’s the Difference Between CoolSculpting vs. SculpSure?
Both SculpSure and CoolSculpting rely on temperature to kill fat cells. Both procedures bring the internal temperature of the fat cells beyond the range where the cells can survive. SculpSure heats them up — a process referred to as thermolipolysis (fat breakdown by heat). CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells — a process called cryolipolysis (fat breakdown by freezing). Once the fat cells are dead, the body removes them naturally to give you a slimmer and more contoured body.
Some major differences between these procedures include:
- Treatment Length: SculpSure takes 25 minutes per CoolSculpting takes 60 minutes per session
- Recovery Time: No recovery time is needed for SculpSure; a small number of patients report mild tenderness in the treated area as if they just had an intense workout at the gym. CoolSculpting’s recovery period can last up to a month — many patients report numbing, bruising, and tingling/stinging in the treated area.
- How It Feels: When SculpSure treatment starts, initially you will feel a cooling sensation. This helps keep the skin comfortable during treatment. The cooling will be on the entire treatment, while the laser cycles on and off, raising the temperature of the fat cells. Most patients feel a deep warmth and/ or tingling sensation intermittently throughout the treatment which is generally well-tolerated. For CoolSculpting, as the cooling begins during the first few minutes, you typically feel intense cold. This soon dissipates. With some applicators, you’ll feel some pulling as suction is applied. The treatment area generally goes numb within 5 to 10 minutes during treatment.
- Applicators: SculpSure uses four applicators at once, which saves you both time and money. CoolSculpting uses one applicator at a time.
- Treatment Areas: Both procedures can be used to treat the abdomen, legs, flanks, and back. SculpSure can treat multiple areas at once and adapts to many configurations on the body. CoolSculpting offers limited applicator shapes and sizes — it can only treat areas that the applicator can suction.
- Limiting Factors: SculpSure can treat people of any age, body type, and with pinch-able amounts of fat. CoolSculpting requires patients have at least an inch of “suction-able” fat for the treatment to be safe and effective — the applicator must be able to create vacuum seal against the treatment area.
- Side Effects: SculpSure may result in temporary tenderness and nodules that generally goes away in a few days. Typical side effects for CoolSculpting include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity.
- Quickness of Results: SculpSure patients will see some changes as early as six weeks after the procedure. Final results are expected after 12 weeks. CoolSculpting patients will experience the most dramatic results after 8 weeks, with final results expected in 16-24 weeks.
- Number of Treatments Needed: This varies by patient and procedure. For SculpSure treatments, make sure to speak with a doctor at Healthy Living Primary Care to arrive at a plan that’s right for you. You can also view our patient consultation guide for more information. Typically, patients need two or more sessions per treatment area.
- Time Between Treatments: SculpSure treatments to the same area need to be spaced at least 6 weeks apart. There are no time restrictions for treatments of different areas. CoolSculpting treatment to the same area need to be spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Similarly, CoolSculpting has not restrictions for treatments of different areas.
The few similarities between the procedures include:
- Efficiency: Both procedures result in a 20 to 25 percent reduction of fat cells.
- Insurance Coverage: Both procedures are considered cosmetic procedures and are not covered by insurance.
- FDA-Approved: The FDA has approved both SculpSure and CoolSculpting.
- Length of Results: The results of both procedures are essentially permanent. Once fat cells are destroyed, they won’t return. If you maintain a healthy weight, further treatments likely won’t be necessary.
What Is the Difference in Results for SculpSure Laser Fat Removal vs. CoolSculpting?
The results of both procedures are very similar. However, you might notice a bit more lumpiness or shelving in the treated area when you choose CoolSculpting compared to the smoother results you’ll get from SculpSure. SculpSure results can extend beyond just the boundaries of the applicator, creating a “feathering” effect that eliminates any visible boundary between the treated and untreated areas. Some SculpSure patients also report mild skin tightening in the treatment area.
How Much Does SculpSure Cost Compared to CoolSculpting?
We’ve covered the major similarities and differences between CoolSculpting and SculpSure, but for many patients the decision comes down to one big factor — price. CoolSculpting typically costs between $2,000 and $4,000 per treatment plan. SculpSure typically costs between $1800 and $3600 per treatment plan. Get answers to other frequently asked questions about SculpSure or see the patient results from SculpSure today.
Schedule A Free SculpSure Consultation
If you’re considering SculpSure or CoolSculpting to help you get eliminate pockets of stubborn fat and get a more contoured body, keep in mind results can vary from patient to patient. To learn more about SculpSure and determine if it’s right for you, contact Healthy Living Primary Care — Dr. Liu is specially trained to complete this procedure. You can request a free consultation on our website or call us at (916) 836-3174 today.
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*Updated: September 26, 2017