I Tried the Fat-Freezing Treatment Real Housewives Are Obsessed With & Here's What Happened

CoolSculpting, a body contouring procedure that freezes your fat cells to death, has found fans in Dorinda Medley and Kelly Dodd — so I just had to see if it lives up to the hype.

by Talia Ergas

“CoolSculpting is specifically designed for people who have unwanted fat pockets in targeted areas”

As the editor of Bravo's Lookbook, I'm always keeping a close eye on all the cosmetic treatments the Real Housewives are into. My personal process is usually more voyeuristic and less experimental (read: I get a bit squeemish around needles ... especially when they're aimed at my face). Every once in a while, though, I hear about a treatment that sounds so magical and painless, I just have to see if it lives up to the hype.

Take, for instance, CoolSculpting. The body contouring treatment first came across my radar when The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Kelly Dodd raved about it on Instagram. Kelly claimed she took a nap during the fat-reduction process and called it "so easy." Naturally, I was intrigued, but also a bit skeptical. (Kelly, after all, is not one to shy away from gruesome treatments I'll never try like microneedling.)

But then, a colleague of mine was catching up with Dorinda Medley, and The Real Housewives of New York City pal divulged that she too had tried CoolSculpting — and loved it. “CoolSculpting is amazing,” Dorinda told The Lookbook. “It is unbelievable … It’s for all those bits and bobs that no matter how much you work out, especially at my age, you can’t get rid of. It just takes off those little bits. It’s one hour, and then over the next few weeks you pee [the fat cells] out." 

Ok, so let’s recap: A treatment that eliminates fat cells with zero surgery and zero needles, that is so painless and “easy” you can do it while napping, and then you just pee out the cells?! That just sounded way too good to be true, so I had to speak with a CoolSculpting pro — and, of course, try the treatment for myself. Read on for the answers to all your burning CoolSculpting questions, and find out if it’s really as incredible as Kelly and Dorinda claim.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved body contouring technology that removes stubborn pockets of fat via freezing and killing fat cells. Along with an overall healthy lifestyle, it helps to eliminate bulges at the hips, belly, arms, thighs, and elsewhere. There is no surgery, not a single needle, and no downtime.

Can anyone get CoolSculpted?

Unfortunately, CoolSculpting is not for everyone. “The CoolSculpting fat-reduction procedure is specifically designed for [people] who have unwanted fat pockets in targeted areas,” explains Laura Dyer, MSHHS, PA-C, who has more experience performing CoolSculpting treatments than any other medical professional in the world. “Unlike weight-loss surgery (e.g., gastric bypass), the CoolSculpting procedure is not a weight-loss solution for people who are obese.” (In fact, CoolSculpting only kills 20-25 percent of fat cells in the area.) So who makes a good candidate? “People who have noticeable bulges in certain areas they’d like to get rid of an want a non-surgical alternative to liposuction,” explains Dyer, adding, “as with any medical procedure, ask you physician if the CoolSculpting procedure is right for you.”

What actually happens during the procedure?

For my procedure, I chose to target what I (lovingly) refer to as my stomach "pooch." Here's what happened: First, I was asked to strip down to my underwear and put on a robe (the spa kind, not the hospital kind). Then, Dyer draped a gooey gel pad over my stomach, which, she informed me, was to protect my skin. Next, it was time to hook up the machine. (Have you ever tried turning on a vacuum and sticking the hose onto your skin? That's what this machine feels like as it grabs your fat pocket and sucks it in.) We did this on the right side of my stomach for half an hour, and then took it all apart and did it again on my left side for half an hour. (I brought my laptop and got some work done during the process. I'm impressed that Kelly was able to nap with the giant suction hooked up to her stomach.) A few weeks later I came back to do the whole thing all over again (two appointments per area is standard) and that was it! Now we wait ...

They used lots of pillows to keep me as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

Does it hurt?

It's definitely not painless, but the pain comes and goes pretty quickly (it's only the first 5 minutes) and it's never unmanageable. A few things to remember on that note: everyone's pain tolerance is different, so different people may feel more or less uncomfortable during the procedure. Also, keep in mind that I'm not a cosmetic surgery pro, so I am especially squeemish and uncomfortable with this type of thing. If you can handle botox, this should be a breeze. 
During the first five minutes, my pain level went from barely-noticable to annoying-but-manageable. Then, you start to go numb and the feeling subsides. Imagine pressing a giant ice pack to your stomach: at first it's cold, then it starts to hurt, then you go numb. That's exactly what it feels like. 

What happens after?

After my procedure was over, they released the machine and my stomach bulge spilled out, looking and feeling like what can only be described as numb butter. The technician massaged the area to break up the dead fat inside. That was the most uncomfortable part: this giant area of your body is being massaged and you can't feel a thing. The treated area stays numb for a few days to a few weeks, so showering and wearing tight jeans felt super weird for a while. Some people also experience temporary bloating and bruising afterwards, but I thankfully didn't. Then, over the span of the next three to four months, the dead fat cells leave your body at a rate of "four french fries-worth per day," according to my technician. 

How quickly do you see results?

Results are seen in approximately three months, and since I'm only one month past my procedure, I can't quite share my final verdict on that. I can, however, say that I truly am starting to see my stomach pooch flatten out, even though I've made no other changes to my daily routine. (Check back for another update once I hit the three-month mark!)

When the fat leaves your body, where does it go?

"Fat cells that are frozen gradually die off and leave the body through the body’s natural elimination process," explains Dyer. (Or, as Dorinda so eloquently put it: "You pee it out!")

Are the results permanent?

Continues Dyer, "Since the stem cell capability of your fat cells shuts off at the completion of puberty, the number of fat cells a person has typically stays the same throughout their adult life. As [a person] gains or loses weight, these fat cells either get bigger or smaller, but the number doesn’t change. However, with CoolSculpting, since we are actually causing cell death to 20-25 percent of the fat cells per treatment, once these dead fat cells are dead and eliminated, they are gone for good. That’s why the results are long-term. Untreated areas will have no change in fat cell distribution."

But what if, instead of maintaing your normal lifestyle, you start eating unhealthy and stop exercising after your treatment? "Many people, after seeing the results from their CoolSculpting procedure, feel even more motivated to stay close to their ideal weight," shares Dyer. "However, if you do gain weight, you may gain it evenly all over your body, not just in the treated areas. But once you rally back to your starting weight, you can typically appreciate the results again." Whew!

How much does it cost?

Says Dyer, "The price for CoolSculpting procedures varies depending on your areas of concern, the number of treatments needed, and your ultimate goals. Most patients opt to receive treatments in multiple body areas in order to achieve their goals. The cost typically ranges between $2,000-$4,000 for their personalized treatment plan depending on the number of areas treated." So, it's not cheap, but neither is liposuction. And if this option forgoes the cutting you open part, count me in!

The verdict ...

Overall, CoolSculpting is a nearly-painless quick fix for problem areas that diet and exercise alone can't tone. After trying it for myself, I completely agree with Kelly Dodd saying the process is "so easy." After just one month, I'm already starting to see my "pooch" shrinking, and I can't wait to see the final results. Check back in two months for an update!

Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C on the Latest Treatments in Anti-Aging and More

Trusted dermatologists and plastic surgeons based in New York, Los Angeles, and London weigh in on the latest beliefs and the most effective advanced-technology procedures and injectables.

By Sunhee Grinnell

Vanity Fair: CoolSculpting—what are the true pros and cons?

Laura Dyer: CoolSculpting is the first and only F.D.A.-cleared device for the non-surgical, permanent reduction of fat. It uses a patented cooling technology called Cryolipolysis, which causes fat cells to solidify, freeze, and die during the procedure. It safely and consistently removes 20 to 25 percent of a patient’s diet-and-exercise-resistant fat after each treatment, with no needles, no surgery, and no downtime. The true pros are that it works, it’s safe, and it’s consistently effective. There is no downtime. Plus, since the new generation of applicators last year, the treatment time is now only 35 minutes instead of the full 60 minutes. With the newer, gentler-shaped applicator, one can expect much less bruising, swelling, or tenderness after the procedure. Cons, if any, would be that some patients may need more than just one treatment.

V.F.: Any other fat-reducing procedures that you can recommend?

Laura Dyer: There are a number of treatments out there, such as SculpSure, that have recently come out. However, no treatment has been as safe, well-tolerated, and consistently effective as CoolSculpting. With over four million CoolSculpting treatments done globally over the past eight years, there is lots of data and science to back this up. The same is not true for any of the other technologies, and only time and data will tell if they are, in fact, as safe and effective and CoolSculpting.

V.F.: Tell us what’s different between traditional CoolSculpting and CoolPetit Advantage?

Laura Dyer: The CoolPetit Advantage applicator is a new-generation applicator that allows for a shorter treatment time and less side effects, but compared to the CoolAdvantage applicators, the CoolPetit is a bit smaller, allowing us to treat smaller diet-and-exercise-resistant bulges, and it is F.D.A.-cleared to treat arms.

V.F.: Instead of Botox and fillers, what about one’s own fat injections? Too many risks, because, unlike the typical injections, it’s not reversible?

Laura Dyer: There are several disadvantages with fat injections. First of all, when injecting fat, a provider has to overfill to about 100 percent of the desired correction. This is because 50 percent of what is injected will not take and will die. Which 50 percent will die is not always an exact science. It is hard to finesse and treat delicate areas and create good symmetry with fat, knowing you have to overfill and knowing that fat globules are much larger and less precise than a smooth hyaluronic-acid product. Fat injections can be great to create a new body, shape such a Brazilian butt lift, however, aren't always a great option for filling a patient’s face. Unlike Botox and the H.A.-based fillers that have F.D.A. clearance and that we are currently using now, that can last from one to two years depending on the filler. And because these fillers are fully reversible with an antidote called Vitrase, as a provider we have very good control over what we are injecting, and we know what to expect in regards to results, precision, and longevity of the product. With the new fillers on the market, such as Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella, that last up to two years, 18 months, and 12 months, respectively, there is really no need to undergo the risks, recovery, uncertainty, and downsides of fat injections for treating delicate areas of the face.

Dyer is the Physician Assistant at Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology

45 East 85th Street, New York, NY 10028

(212) 396-2500

The 411 on the "Coolaser" Skin Treatment Celebs Swear By

January 17, 2018 by Catherine Conelly

Jenna Dewan Tatum came out singing the praises of Coolaser, and naturally, everyone wants to know what it is, what it does, and how to get it. Much love to JDT (her skin is a force to be reckoned with), but this laser treatment was also popular long before Tatum got on board. In fact, it basically has its own Instagram account, and celebrities have been crediting their flawless skin to it for quite some time.

I reached out to Laura Dyer, who's renowned for her work in clinical and aesthetic skin care, to go deeper.

So what is it? In short, it's a skin-resurfacing treatment that uses a fractional laser. I reached out to Laura Dyer, a physician's assistant and clinician who's renowned for her work in clinical and aesthetic skin care, to go deeper. It just so happens that's exactly what a fractional laser does.

Unlike nonlaser treatments such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion, a fractional laser targets the deeper layers your skin, essentially encouraging it to create new skin. "It's actually poking tons of tiny little microscopic holes into the tissues, which allows for a much faster healing time [than traditional laser treatments]," says Dyer. It can treat everything from acne scars, stretch marks, and birth marks to brown spots and wrinkles.

However, start Googling derms near you who offer Coolaser and you'll be bummed to discover that it's only available at one office in the country. It's safe to say that its exclusivity probably lends to its popularity. Luckily, Dyer let me in on a little secret. Coolaser isn't the only fractional laser treatment out there. "Every single dermatologist and most plastic surgeons have one in their office," she says. When you pay for Coolaser specifically, you're paying for the name. It's all branding.

Just ask your dermatologist about Fraxel or mention a fractional CO2 laser treatment, and they'll be able to hook you up — though "hooking you up" is probably the wrong term, considering it will still run you between $1,000 and $1,500 per treatment. Still interested? Here's how the treatment typically works.

Numbing cream is the first step. "The laser itself, whether it's Fraxel or Coolaser, they all hurt," says Dyer. Remember, they go pretty deep. Once the laser starts to work its magic, numbing cream in full effect, you're looking at about an hour-long treatment process. "It feels warm. It can feel prickly — like a pretty major sunburn during the treatment — and then you may feel like you have a minor sunburn for one to two hours after the treatment."

It can work wonders for heavy scarring, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues like brown spots. However, you will be rocking a pink face for a couple days and it can take anywhere between two to five days of social downtime before you're back to normal. There's redness. There's peeling. And it's best to avoid makeup. You'll want at least five days off work — sometimes more, sometimes less — depending on the level of treatment. So put your feet up, queue up your latest Netflix favorite, and get ready to binge.

Avoiding sun exposure is a must. In fact, Dyer says to continue avoiding the sun for four weeks after the initial five days of recovery. For that reason, wintertime is generally the best time to schedule your visit. You may see some residual pinkness in the weeks following the treatment, but for the most part, "totally worth it" will probably be at the top of your vocab list.

These Are Literally the Coolest Beauty Products and Treatments to Try Right Now

July 3, 2017 by Megan McIntyre

CoolSculpting

One of the buzziest (and most popular) professional cold treatments is this so-called "fat freezer," performed at dermatologists' offices. It uses freezing temperatures to single out fat cells and crystallize them, killing the cell. Yes, killing. As in, no more fat cell.

While CoolSculpting isn't the only treatment for fat reduction, it is the only one to freeze the cells instead of heating them. "All the cells in our body have a temperature threshold," says Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C at Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology in Manhattan. "With heat, in order to get to an efficacious temp it is usually quite painful because it is not only very hot, but it's a little less consistent."

CoolSculpting, on the other hand, uses a temperature slightly higher than what water freezes at, so it just targets the actual fat cells and not the water-based cells surrounding it. This means less bruising, swelling, and pain.

As fat-freezing guinea pigs, we can personally attest to that statement. Recently Zeltiq, the maker of CoolSculpting, upped its game by tweaking some of its applicators to make the temperature one degree Celsius cooler. Dyer notes that this allows the treatment to be 25 minutes shorter and could even boost the results of some clients' treatments.

Doctors’ Tips for Getting Red-Carpet-Ready from New York

Eight East Coast solutions for when you have so much to do and so little time

by SunHee Grinnell February 14, 2017 10:09 am

Doctors’ Tips: Getting Red-Carpet-Ready from New York

We asked the following cosmetic-dermatology gurus based in New York what one could do as a quick fix, with zero downtime and 10 days left to the Oscars. Here’s what they had to say:

Dr. Amy Wechsler, M.D. —Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology, at 3 East 69th Street

Clear + Brilliant is the go-to treatment to get your skin red-carpet-ready. It leaves your skin glowing and illuminated while plumping fine lines and wrinkles, and also evens out skin tone and texture with zero downtime.

“Volbella (by Allergan, the makers of Botox) is the newest (injectable) treatment to achieve the ultimate, natural-looking, fuller lips that will make your pout camera-ready, which everyone is now craving.”

— Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C —Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology, at 3 East 69th Street

Dr. Gervaise Gerstner, M.D. —Gervaise Gertsner, M.D. Dermatology, at 730 Park Avenue

Micro Channelling/Micro Needling stimulates the release of epidermal growth factors while infusing stem-cell serum into the skin, resulting in the softening of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. Recommended two days prior to Oscar; then, one day prior, try Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum for face. Gently press into skin to nourish the dermis.