Cryotherapy vs. CoolSculpting: What’s the Difference?

What do cryotherapy and CoolSculpting ® have in common? The simplest answer is: cold. Both procedures use extremely cold temperatures in a non-invasive way to manipulate cells and muscle tissue in the body.

CoolSculpting is designed to reduce fat cells in areas that are hard to train with traditional diet and exercise. Cryotherapy is a recovery procedure designed to heal sore muscles and reduce inflammation post-workout.

What’s the benefit of cold therapy?

Cold temperatures are all the rage in the beauty, spa and rejuvenation world. There’s some simple science behind the benefits of cold therapy, mainly that cold temperatures constrict blood vessels which reduce swelling and inflammation which in turn can aid in pain relief and relief from muscle fatigue.

The theory behind fat loss and cold therapy is fairly basic. Cold temperatures mean your body works harder to warm itself up – think shivering. Cold therapy burns calories and speeds up your metabolism which ultimately aids in potential fat loss.

While the descriptions seem very obvious, the results aren’t always one-to-one. Depending on your goals, it’s best to consult your medical spa professional for the best treatment.

CoolSculpting and fat loss

It’s an all-too-common complaint among men and women – you exercise, eat well, get enough sleep and you still can’t lose fat in stubborn areas of your body. The tightened skin and toned frame just aren’t breaking through.

In your journey to fat loss, CoolSculpting is your answer to tackle those problem areas that diet and exercise can’t reach.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction treatment that involves a handheld device, operated by a trained professional, that applies extreme cold to target areas of the body, freezing fat cells, resulting in 20-25% fat reduction in the treated areas.

What’s the difference between weight loss and fat loss?

You’ll notice we’re specifically mentioning fat loss – not weight loss. CoolSculpting is designed to freeze and eliminate fat cells in your body. The normal process of weight loss doesn’t necessarily rid your body of fat cells, it simply shrinks their size. Both are impactful for someone who’s looking to improve their physical appearance, but knowing the difference is key to success.

Read More: Fat Reduction vs. Weight Loss in CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting target areas

Unlike spending time in a cryotherapy chamber, CoolSculpting is a very concentrated procedure. Your medical spa professional will use different applicators based on your problem areas. The most common areas to treat with CoolSculpting are:

• Abdomen

• Flanks (Love handles / Muffin top)

• Lower back

• Arms

• Thighs

• Chin

If you’re looking to reduce fat in those target areas, you may be a great CoolSculpting candidate.

What is cryotherapy for?

Cryotherapy is often incorporated as part of a workout regimen for athletes to treat muscle injury and accelerate recovery. As your body temperature drops, oxygenated blood flows to your extremities, jumpstarting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is similar to ice baths that many athletes are accustomed to.

Read More: Top 4 Treatments for Active Men 

Does cryotherapy burn fat?

When your body is in extremely cold temperatures, it works harder to warm up your vital organs. These internal processes can burn calories. For example, in a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, people who spent two hours per day for six weeks in a 63-degree room burned more energy than people who spent the time in warmer temperatures.

It’d be a stretch to say that cryotherapy burns fat, but cryotherapy can and should play a role in your well-rounded road to a better you. Incorporating cryotherapy into your workout routine has benefits far beyond cooling you down.