Dermatologists at ASDS offer opinions on new CoolMini for submental fat

CHICAGO — Dermatologists attending the American Society for Dermatological Surgery Annual Meeting offered their opinions on Zeltiq Aesthetic’s newly FDA-cleared CoolMini applicator for treating submental fat.

“I think that the CoolMini treatment is a nice alternative for removal of submental fat in individuals who are needle-phobic (and thus unwilling to undergo Kybella injections) or are in areas unsuitable for injections (eg, lateral jaw or neck),” Tina Alster, MD, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and clinical professor of dermatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, told Healio.com/Dermatology.

Tina Alster

“I am offering both treatments in my practice in order to provide the most comprehensive approach to this common problem.”

The FDA granted expanded clearance to Zeltiq Aesthetics to introduce the CoolMini applicator in September. The applicator uses Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis) technique.

The clearance was based on data for a U.S. clinical trial of 60 male and female patients aged 22 to 65 years who received one to two treatments in the area under the chin, which resulted in average of 20% reduction in fat, according to an FDA press release.

Kimberly Butterwick

“The CoolMini applicator is an exciting new treatment for submental fat in that it is completely non-invasive and is an already proven technology that we have been using in many other body areas for the past several years with excellent results,” Kimberly Butterwick, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in San Diego, who writes a blog for Healio.com, said. “Clinical trials indicate most patients will require only two treatments with only minimal swelling afterwards. I think it will be best for patients with a moderate degree of fat as the applicator will not fit those with only mild deposits and may be too small for severe cases.”

The CoolMini “utilizes already proven non-invasive body contouring device to selectively target submental fat,” Andrei Metelitsa, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, co-director, Institute for Skin AdvancementClinical Associate Professor, Section of Dermatology, University of Calgary, told Healio.com/Dermatology. “The new Zeltiq applicator is specifically designed for this difficult to treat area and represents a welcome addition in our treatment paradigm.”

Sabrina Fabi

“It is great to be able to offer patients multiple treatment options for their double chin, whether is liposculpture, Kybella (deoxycholic acid, Allergan) or the CoolMini,” Sabrina Fabi, MD, a dermatologist in San Diego, told Healio.com/Dermatology “In my practice the CoolMini is a great noninvasive option for the patient who has a severe double chin but doesn't want to undergo liposculpture." – by Bruce Thiel

Reference: www.coolsculpting.com