From the Guidelines
CoolSculpting is not a recommended treatment based on the provided evidence, as it is not mentioned in the studies, and the focus is on cryosurgery for actinic keratosis and leishmaniasis treatment. The provided studies discuss the use of cryosurgery for treating actinic keratosis and leishmaniasis, with varying success rates and side effects 1.
Key Points
- Cryosurgery is a treatment option for actinic keratosis, with complete clearance rates varying depending on the duration of freeze and number of treatments 1.
- A study comparing cryosurgery with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratosis found a 75% complete response rate for cryosurgery versus 69% for PDT at 3 months 1.
- Cryotherapy may be used to treat leishmaniasis, with a combination of cryotherapy and intralesional antimony showing high efficacy in some studies 1.
- Side effects of cryosurgery and cryotherapy include soreness, blistering, pigmentary change, scarring, vesicle formation, erythema, swelling, and burning pain 1.
Treatment Considerations
- The success of cryosurgery and cryotherapy depends on the skill of the operator and complete, careful application 1.
- Cryotherapy should be considered for smaller, recent-onset, uncomplicated lesions, and can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding 1.
- It is essential to treat into normal-appearing tissue around the lesions to ensure effective treatment 1.
From the Research
Overview of Cool Sculpting
- Cool sculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, is a non-invasive technique used for localized fat reduction 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It works by using targeted cold exposure to adipose tissue, inducing cellular apoptosis in adipocytes while sparing surrounding tissues 3, 6.
Efficacy of Cool Sculpting
- Studies have shown that cryolipolysis can result in significant reductions in the superficial fat layer thickness, ranging from 20% to 80%, following a single treatment 3.
- Cryolipolysis has been proven to be effective in reducing localized fat, with most participants satisfied at the end of the treatment 5, 6.
- The incorporation of a dietary program into the treatment can contribute to a significant improvement in the lipid profile and liver enzymes 5.
Safety and Adverse Effects
- Cryolipolysis is considered safe, with minimal adverse effects, such as erythema, bruising, and temporary numbness at the treatment site 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Rare adverse effects have been identified, but they do not persist beyond a month 5.
- There have been no reports of scarring, ulceration, or alterations in blood lipid or liver function profiles 3.
Comparison with Other Techniques
- Cryolipolysis has been compared to other non-invasive techniques, such as low-level laser therapy, radio frequency, and high-intensity focused ultrasound, and has been shown to be effective in reducing localized fat 4.
- Cryolipolysis has a favorable effect compared to laser lipolysis in the reduction of waist-hip ratio, skin folds, and subcutaneous adipose tissue 2.
Future Research
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of cryolipolysis and its efficacy in different treatment areas 6.
- Preliminary studies suggest that cryolipolysis may have a positive impact on skin elasticity and tightening, but further investigation is needed to provide a better understanding of its potential in achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes for patients 6.