Can you get Saggy Skin after CoolSculpting?
Saggy skin after non-invasive fat reduction treatments such as CoolSculpting is not uncommon and represents a very valid concern for many of our patients.
What Causes Saggy Skin?
As we age, we lose the building blocks that support our skin structure and allow the skin to stretch and recoil. Those building blocks are:
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Hyaluronic Acid
Pregnancy and weight gain and loss cycles cause our skin to stretch. This damages the connective tissue fibers and limits the capacity to recoil. Genetics, hormonal changes and some medical conditions and medications can also contribute to our skin being more lax.
We often find that some non-invasive methods of fat reduction, such as CoolSculpting, can result in a worsening of saggy skin because the fat that was “pushing” the skin out is gone (kind of like what happens when you deflate a balloon.) Because of this, it is essential for your doctor to do a good examination of your skin quality prior to any fat reduction procedure. That way you can discuss expected results and your doctor can advise you of the best treatments for both your skin and fat.
What can we do about Saggy Skin?
If skin laxity is a concern we often recommend treatments that not only eliminate fat, but also treat the skin, such as a Tummy Tuck, minimally invasive SmartLipo Triplex or Profound RF. If a surgical treatment is not an option or the patient desires a non-invasive method of fat reduction, we may recommend CoolSculpting in combination with Profound.
Profound is the only FDA approved treatment for skin sagging that can stimulate the production of all three building blocks: Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid. This allows us to improve skin tone and to restore the skin’s natural recoil. Profound is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure with minimal social down time (i.e. bruising). It utilizes patented micro-needling and radiofrequency technology to reach the areas of the skin necessary to stimulate skin tightening.
Frank Soto León, MD is a cosmetic surgeon who is board certified through the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine. For more advice from Dr. Soto on skin tightening and other aesthetic treatments please visit www.omahaliposuction.com where you can read his blog and see Before & After Photos of actual patients. If you have a question you would like to see answered as one of our blogs, let us know!
