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[[File:CoolSculpting device.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The commercial CoolSculpting® device.]] {{DISPLAYTITLE:CoolSculpting and DIY CoolSculpting (Cryolipolysis)}} __NOTOC__
CoolSculpting uses cold to reduce fat and it can be effective as long as you know the limitations; a similar effect can be achieved cheaply at home. This approach is marketed as CoolSculpting® or Cryolipolysis®. It works by chilling the skin, causing the underlying fat cells to naturally die off. This reduces the thickness of fat in the area treated. While commercial CoolSculpting requires expensive equipment, I've found that a similar effect can be produced at home for almost no cost. See [[#DIY CoolScuplting| the section on DIY CoolScuplting]] for details.
=What is CoolSculpting?=
CoolSculpting uses an FDA approved device to chill the skin for up to an hour<ref name="Avram-2009"/>, with a session lasting one to three hours<ref name="CSFaq"/>, producing a reduction in the fat thickness in the treated area. Animal and human studies have shown a reduction in fat thickness between 20% and 80% over 3 months following treatment<ref name="ClNelson"/>. The device sucks the skin and underlying fat into a cup<ref name="Coleman-2009"/>. More than one treatment can be used, but the results of the second treatment are not as dramatic as the first<ref name="Shek-2012"/>. CoolSculpting is considered an alternative to liposuction<ref name="StevensPietrzak2013"/>, which is the one of the most common types of plastic surgery<ref name="PlasticSurgry2013"/>. There are some initial indications that CoolSculpting may improve skin texture and laxity, with a tightening of the lose skin<ref name="CarruthersStevens2014"/>. While promising, more studies are needed.
A 2014 study looked at CoolSculpting followed immediately by 2 minutes of massage, and compared the results with CoolSculpting alone<ref name="Boey-2014"/>. Subjects received the CoolSculpting on both sides of their body, but massage only on one side, the other acting as a control. The study found that the addition of massage improved fat reduction by 68% after two months and 44% after four months. Samples of the fat tissue showed increasing inflammation, peaking at 30 days post treatment, with no signs of necrosis or fibrosis at any time (0-120 days). The massage and non-massage samples were similar.
=DIY CoolSculpting=
Having reviewed the evidence for the commercial CoolSculpting, I wondered if it would be possible to replicate the effects by simply applying ice to the skin. An early study of CoolSculpting showed a reduction in the fat levels from temperatures of -1c/31f, though not as great a loss as colder temperatures<ref name="Manstein-2008"/>. The levels of fat on my legs are noticeably lower than other parts of my body, which might be the result of regular icing. There is evidence that applying ice to the skin produces an inflammation response in just a few minutes<ref name="Avram-2009"/>, so this approach seems viable. '''==Frostbite Risks==Use only ice cubes in a bag, which will result in a mixture of ice and water. This mixture will be around freezing point. '''Never use gel packs''' as these are cold enough to cause skin damage.''' I'd recommend using the [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP6P6R8 plastic bags designed for making ice cubes], as these form a nice thin layer of ice. You'll need to replace them periodically as they melt completely. '''Do not use large blocks of ice''', as the ice itself can be cold enough to damage the skin. Remember, the goal is a mixture of ice and water. You may need to put a thin layer of material between your skin and the bag of ice cubes until they have melted a little. For more details, see [[Cryotherapy]].
[[File:IceCubeBags.JPG|none|thumb|500px|These ice cube bags are cheap and work remarkably well for providing a thin layer of ice that stays in place. They can leak, so you may need to put them inside a Ziploc bag.]]
==Testing 'DIY CoolSculpting'==
