Zeltiq’s Cool Sculpting or is it a Cool Scam?

Thousands of men and women have been rushing to get the new Zeltiq’s Cool sculpting system to help get rid of their localized fat pockets. The Zeltiq system is a novel approach to getting rid of “love handles.” The doctor takes a cup-shaped device, applies it to the area of fat and turns on the vacuum. The device is cooled for about 60 minutes to a certain temperature and voila -your fat is gone. Like all things in plastic surgery, you do not see the results right away and most people need several sessions. The optimal cosmetic results occur after 2-3 months. At least that is what is supposed to happen. There is no anesthesia, no needles, no incision but you must have a lot of money. So does Zeltiq’s cool sculpting system work?

Anyone who believes that applying an ice pack to the body surface leads to burning of fat must be either very gullible, very stupid or both and deserves to lose their money. Of course, this is a swindle. There are hundreds of reports on cyberspace by women who have undergone these treatments and discovered that Zeltiq does jackshit.

What is even more depressing is that Zeltiq's cool sculpting costs  $700-$1,000 per session. And if you want to get rid of the fat lumps around your belly or the back of your thighs, that will be another couple of hundred or a cool $1400 per session.

If you have any common sense, avoid this scam. The only thing cool about Zeltiq is that you will have a sign over your forehead saying that you are a cool Sucker.

Where in the body can lipodissolve be used to remove fat pockets?

To date, Lipodissolve has been used to treat the following conditions:

-  Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)

-  Cellulite deposits at the back of the thigh and buttocks

-  Fat deposits around the eye (xanthelasma)

-  Lipomas

-  Fat mound in the pubis and genitals

-  Revision of scars

-  Unevenness that occurs after liposuction

-  After weight loss surgery

No matter where lipodissolve is injected, no one ever loses the fat pockets but develop a lot of pain and depression- since the darn thing does not work

How does one use solage to erase skin blemishes?

Solage should only be applied as directed. Prior to any use, always test a small amount on unbroken skin to see if you are allergic to the product. Wait 24 hours and if you are not, you can go ahead.  Never apply the product on broken or bleeding skin. Apply Solage twice daily and do not get it in your mouth, eyes or nose. Wash hands before and after application. Sometimes the medication can make you very sensitive to sunlight and cause a sun burn- so wear a sunscreen each time you use Solage or avoid the sun.

Solage must be applied for many weeks before you will see a difference. The dose of Solage should not be increased without first consulting with your physician.  Unfortunately, the benefits of solage are only seen in a few people with very mild skin discolorations. For the rest, that money would have been better spent on a vacation somewhere in the Caribbean

Is solage a safe skin bleaching agent?

Mild side effects of solage include dry skin, redness and itching. In rare cases, Solage can cause blistering or peeling of skin. If this happens one should stop using the product and see a physician. All women who are able to bear a child should be aware that this product does contain tretinoin. Vitamin A related products can cause harm to the fetus and it is highly recommended that you speak to a skin doctor before you buy this product. Most reputable doctors are extremely reluctant in prescribing retinoids to young women because of the potential that the drug can harm a fetus.

Can you please tell me if solage can help remove colored skin patches on my hands and face?

Solage is essentially a bleaching agent to lighten the dark patches on skin. One can apply the lotion on freckles, melasma, or scars. The product also contains Tretinoin (Vitamin A) to treat sun and liver spots. There is very little data on this product but anecdotal reports indicate that it is a waste of money. Solage is not a cheap medication- the price ranges from $90-$160 for a tiny vial. So far, the manufacturers have not released any type of patient data and this immediately indicates that the product sucks. All the great things that you hear about solage are from paid Hollywood celebrities. So if you have money to waste, go for it. If you do not have money to waste, then learn to like your freckles- they are harmless.

What is cost of Botox for treatment of sweating?

The cost of Botox ranges from $ 700-$ 2,000 and is now available at most cosmetic and spa clinics. The procedure is considered cosmetic in nature and not covered by medical insurance. For safety, select a therapist who is credentialed to perform the procedure. Botox, when used by an experienced health care worker is a safe and effective way to eliminate the embarrassing problem of excessive sweating of the underarms, hands and feet.

There are people doing Botox injections but many cannot tell the difference between the mouth and the arse. So choose your provider well and speak to people who have had the procedure. Be realistic because cosmetic surgery may not always give you the desired result but it will always give you disappointments.

How is the Botox procedure for sweating done?

The procedure is done at a spa or a clinic. Prior to injection of the Botox, the area of excess sweating is identified by staining with some starch iodine- which appear dark blue. The procedure does not require any anesthesia and both arm pits can be treated in a single sitting. For those who are afraid of needles, the area can be numbed with some local anesthetic. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes and there is little downtime.


After treatment the individual goes home and should refrain from resuming normal activities for 2-3 days. Most individuals will have mild weakness in the arm which was treated. This weakness may persist for 1-2 weeks and it is for this reason, most physicians only treat one arm at a time. The decrease in sweating is noticeable within a few days after the injection but the maximum effect is not seen for 2-3 weeks. There are some individuals in whom Botox may not work. The reasons are not completely understood