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CoolSculpting and Erchonia Fight Fat with Frigid Temps and Lasers

by Warren Riddle on September 21, 2010 at 07:20 AM

CoolSculpting As the U.S.'s battle against the bulge intensifies, scientists and medical professionals are progressively enlisting the aid of technology to help restrain those expanding waistlines. Two new, high-tech, anti-fat systems have now earned FDA approval, and the methods employ vastly differing techniques.

The Zerona tactic, which can reportedly obliterate up 1.5 inches of flab from various bodily areas, involves blasting and minimizing fat cells with lasers. Developed by Erchonia, the treatment requires approximately six 40-minute sessions -- spaced out over two weeks -- and apparently produces "absolutely no side effects," bruises or allergic reactions. The appropriately named CoolSculpting, though, shrinks fatty areas through a "cooling suction device." CoolSculpting's $80,000 machine, which does not require the use of anesthesia, annihilates fat cells by dramatically cooling them through a process called cryolipolysis. Although the $700 sessions last approximately one hour, the results don't appear for several months, and the process can produce pain and bruises.

The two methods aren't intended for chronically obese patients, but neither method requires invasive surgery, and both cost considerably less than liposuction. But, there is one drawback (for shady practitioners, at least); there won't be any leftover blubber to save the Earth power those Beverly Hills SUVs.

Tags: CoolSculpting, cryolipolysis, health, obesity, ObesityEpidemic, science, weightloss, zerona

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