Do you know which procedure to pick when it comes to Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting?
If you want to permanently eliminate fat from your body, these are your two options, especially if you want to avoid more invasive procedures like Shreveport liposuction. Though they are similar in some ways, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. It may be difficult to determine which is the right procedure for you.
In this post, Dr. Forrest Wall of the Plastic Surgery Center in Shreveport will answer all your questions on Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting. From the procedures themselves to the recovery, Dr. Wall will detail the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure.
What is BTL Vanquish?
BTL Vanquish is a non-invasive body contouring procedure to rid the body of fat. It makes use of radiofrequency technology to actually destroy the fat cells beneath the skin.
The Vanquish handpiece emits radiofrequency waves as well as heat. As a freestanding unit, the patient simply lies beneath the “arm” of the machine. Some patients even feel comfortable enough with our esthetician to take a nap during the procedure. The waves the handpiece releases will target fat cells and heat them up to around 120 degrees. This will cause a significant amount of damage to the cells. The damage is significant enough to cause cell death, also called apoptosis.
This handpiece is sophisticated enough to monitor the temperature of your skin and the layers of fat beneath it during the process. The BTL Vanquish device will adjust its energy output based on this, maintaining enough heat to damage fat cells but not enough to cause injury.
We provide more information on Vanquish vs. liposuction in our blog post.
What is Coolsculpting?
The main technology between BTL Vanquish and Coolsculpting is the same. Both procedures destroy fat cells and naturally eliminate them from the body.
But where Vanquish uses heat, Coolsculpting uses cooling technology.
The Coolsculpting applicator also has vacuum technology that pulls the fat cells up between two cooling panels. The applicator will then freeze the fat cells, which, like Vanquish, will damage them enough to cause apoptosis.
Because of the nature of Coolsculpting, it requires a certain amount of protruding fat to be effective.
Coolsculping vs. BTL Vanquish: FAQ
How Long Does It Take For Fat Cells To Die?
That depends on the individual cells. Some cells may die immediately, and others may take a few weeks.
If you’re wondering about Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting, there really is no difference. Fat cells will not die any faster with one procedure or the other.
What Happens to Fat Cells Once They Die?
Your body has a process for eliminating dead cells, which will take care of the fat cells after apoptosis. The lymphatic system will filter them away. The dead cells will pass through the liver, after which they will leave the body through urination.
This process is the same whether you choose BTL Vanquish or Coolsculpting.
Do The Fat Cells Ever Come Back?
In most cases, no. Fat cells don’t typically regenerate. They can swell up or shrink down depending on weight fluctuations, but the actual number of cells doesn’t naturally change.
Once you destroy fat cells with BTL Vanquish or Coolsculpting, the results are usually permanent.
BTL Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting: The Procedure
The BTL Vanquish device is quite large. It can cover the whole abdomen, as well as your sides, all at the same time. This means that you can treat a pretty large area with BTL Vanquish in one session. Also, because the handpiece does not touch the skin, the process is much more comfortable for the patient. We recommend 3-5 treatments for optimal results. This is approximately one week of treatment.
On the other hand, Coolsculpting can only treat a small area. The Coolsculpting applicator targets a very specific area. It needs to be left on the skin for about an hour. Each Coolsculpting session will target a different part of the skin, and it could take up to six treatments to treat the entire abdomen.
All in all, Coolsculpting will take much longer than Vanquish. Vanquish sessions take between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the treatment area, and do not need multiple sessions. Coolsculpting requires repetition, and each session takes about an hour.
Many of Dr. Wall’s patients describe Vanquish as feeling like a heating pad against their skin. Because Coolsculpting uses low temperatures to kill fat cells, it can be uncomfortable.
The Results of BTL Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting
The final results of Vanquish will probably appear before the final results of Coolsculpting, but neither procedure’s results will take more than a month to appear.
However, since Vanquish can treat a large area at once, the end result is usually smoother and more consistent. Between sessions of Coolsculpting, the treatment area may be uneven or even lumpy.
In addition, the heat produced by the BTL Vanquish procedure has a skin-tightening effect. So, while killing your fat cells, it can leave your skin with a more youthful appearance as well.
Side Effects of Coolsculpting vs Vanquish
BTL Vanquish has few side effects. There is no downtime, so you can get back to your daily routine immediately following the procedure.
The only real side effects of Vanquish are some redness immediately following treatment and some sweating during the procedure. However, this is very fixable by simply repositioning the device.
When Dr. Wall administers BTL Vanquish, his patients also receive a safety cord. This way, if you experience any excessive discomfort, you can use this cord to turn the device off.
In contrast, there are a few side effects of Coolsculpting.
Two of the most serious side effects are:
- Nerve Pain. Coolsculpting targets your fat cells and leaves your muscle cells. But it is possible your nerve cells could end up frozen.
- Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia. This complication refers to the sudden growth of fat tissue and cells in the surrounding area. This can happen a few months after your very first treatment. When it does happen, Coolsculpting is not able to destroy the new fat cells.
BTL Vanquish vs. Coolsculpting: Which is Better?
Neither procedure is necessarily better. However, more people qualify to receive BTL Vanquish, and there are certainly fewer side effects. But if you are still on the fence, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wall today to discuss.
BTL Vanquish in Shreveport and Monroe, LA
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Wall, you can call 318-221-1629 for the Shreveport office and 318-812-0182 for the Monroe office.
