The arrival of surgical treatments designed to reduce the double chin sparked debate about whether neck liposuction or a surgical neck lift was more effective. Now, the discussion has evolved thanks to the introduction of newer non-invasive procedures that also reduce submental fullness.
One of these newcomers, called CoolSculpting, has emerged as one of the most popular body contouring treatments in the world. With lofty promises to freeze patients’ fat away without the need for surgery, this procedure has solidified a strong position in the fat procedure market. Furthermore, thanks to newly designed CoolSculpting applicators that treat the area under the chin, many patients now wonder whether they can replace submental fat liposuction with fat freezing.
Read on to learn the similarities and differences between these two procedures to help decide which is best for you.
Liposuction on the Chin
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Invasive procedures use local instead of general anesthesia but still involve cutting and stitches. Occasionally, patients may receive general anesthesia if requested, or if large amounts of fat are removed.
Liposuction on the chin begins with a plastic surgeon marking the chin area with a pen, cleaning the region, and then making a small incision once the patient is adequately anesthetized. Then, the doctor will use a suctioning tool called a cannula, specifically designed to vacuum out excess fat. This process results in a more continuous, even appearance with less fat under the chin.
Liposuction can remove excess fat around the neck, but does not help with sagging, loose skin in the area. A neck lift can better address such a problem.
Because of chin liposuction’s degree of invasiveness, recovery time will last a couple of days up to a week. While this recovery period lasts longer than CoolSculpting on the chin, liposuction provides more dramatic results in a single session.
CoolSculpting’s Chin Applicator: The CoolMini
CoolSculpting is considered to be a non-invasive medical procedure, meaning that cutting, anesthesia, and stitching are not a part of the process. Using a process called cryolipolysis, which roughly translates to breaking down fat cells with cold temperatures, this procedure claims to eliminate fat beneath the skin without surgery.
Back around 2014, CoolSculpting developed an applicator that can treat the area under the chin, called The CoolMini. Similar to procedures on larger body parts, a trained physician will draw fat into the applicator, bringing the region under the neck to a near-freezing temperature. Your body then naturally eliminates frozen dead cells over a several month period. The CoolMini can also reduce fat on other smaller body parts like the knees.
Results may begin to appear after a few weeks, but the full-scale changes do not arrive until after a few months. While treatments are quicker, cheaper, and less invasive than neck liposuction, the changes experienced pale in comparison. Plus, patients may require more than one session to achieve optimal results.
Time Per Procedure: CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction
CoolSculpting does not have a recovery time. Each session on the chin lasts about 45 minutes. Providers recommend that you undergo various sessions (two to four) spaced apart by roughly three months.
Liposuction provides dramatic results after one session, which usually lasts about one to two hours. Chin liposuction is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you can return to your home afterward. Still, the recovery time lasts a few days, and patients will have to pay close attention to their surgeon’s post-surgery recommendations.
Cost Comparison: CoolSculpting and Liposuction on the Chin
CoolSculpting and liposuction are both cosmetic procedures, meaning that your insurance plan is not likely to cover them. CoolSculpting chin sessions cost between $800 and $1,400 depending on the provider and number of treatments booked.
As a surgical procedure, the price of liposuction to reduce a double chin will fall much higher. The average cost for submental liposuction is around $3,500. Prices can fluctuate greatly depending on the doctor and if the patient combines liposuction with a procedure like a neck lift.