CoolSculpting has rapidly become one of the more popular nonsurgical body contouring treatments available. Instead of removing fat via invasive cannulas or suction—as liposuction does—CoolSculpting destroys fat cells by targeting them with extremely cold temperatures. Your body then “takes out the trash” by safely flushing out the destroyed fat cells, leaving you with a slimmer and trimmer body profile.
| Procedure Type | Noninvasive fat freezing |
| Purpose | Fat reduction |
| Satisfaction Rate | 73% |
| Anesthesia | None required |
| Areas Treated | Arms, thighs, love handles, flanks, male chest, back and bra area |
| Results Seen In | 1-3 months |
| Recovery Time | None typically required. Swelling and bruising possible. |
Table of Contents
How it Works
CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, non-invasive fat reduction treatment that is particularly helpful for anyone who is maintaining their weight, but is having difficulty with stubborn fat deposits. The treatment exposes fat to very cold temperatures, destroying fat cells without harming surrounding tissues. Over the next few weeks and months, your body will naturally remove these destroyed fat cells.
Even better, the fat destroyed by CoolSculpting will not return. Keep in mind, however, that remaining fat cells can become enlarged if you do not maintain your weight after your treatment.
What it Treats
CoolSculpting can safely and effectively remove fat from a variety of places. It is very effective in removing stubborn fat deposits that simply will not respond to changes in diet and exercise.
Treatment areas:
- Double Chin; submental fullness
- Upper arms
- Inner and outer thigs
- Stomach and abdomen
- Love handles
- Flanks
- Lower back
- Bra area
- Under the buttocks; “Banana Roll”
Who it Helps
When it comes to what CoolSculpting can and cannot do, one caveat is in order: CoolSculpting should not be considered as an alternative to healthy weight loss. Rather, it is appropriate for touching up specific parts of the body that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. Although CoolSculpting is a safe FDA-approved treatment, it is not for everyone. The treatment is not appropriate for those suffering from the following conditions:
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Cold agglutinin disease
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
- Pregnant women or anyone who has recently undergone surgery
CoolSculpting Candidates
- Have a healthy medical history
- Are near their target weight for their height and age group
- Eating a balanced diet and living a healthy lifestyle
- Unlikely to become pregnant in the near future
- Schedule is flexible, allowing for multiple sessions if needed
- Tired of dealing with stubborn fat deposits in localized areas of their body
As mentioned earlier, CoolSculpting should not be considered as an alternative to healthy weight loss. Those who respond best to the treatment already have a healthy lifestyle and are sticking to an exercise routine to maintain their target weight both before and after their treatment.
The purpose of CoolSculpting is to slim your profile. It should not be thought of as a cure, but a tool to help you achieve the bodily contours that make you feel the most comfortable and satisfied with your appearance.
Consultation
If you’re curious if you qualify for a CoolSculpting treatment, go ahead and reach out to your provider and schedule a consultation. Inform them of the aesthetic goals that you would like to achieve, and feel free to ask any questions that you may have.
Cost
The average cost of a CoolSculpting treatment is $1,376, and the price range is anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000. The cost of your specific treatment can be determined at your consultation.
Some of the factors that go into determining the cost of a CoolSculpting treatment include size of treatment area, your specific provider, geographic location, and consultation fees, if any.
What to Expect
As the name suggests, CoolSculpting is cold… really cold. The first thing that you’ll notice is the applicator pulling your skin into it, causing your skin to cool down. Most people report the sensation as like that of an ice pack placed against the skin.
Your skin will become numb in the treatment area. It will not be painful.
A CoolSculpting treatment normally takes about 30 minutes to complete, depending upon the size of the treatment area. Once complete, your provider will remove the applicator. Expect the treatment area to look somewhat red and irritated at first.
Your provider will gently massage the treatment area before vigorously massaging it to break up crystallized fat cells.
Recovery Timeline
Since CoolSculpting is not an invasive procedure, your recovery should proceed smoothly.
Week One
The fat cells that were frozen by your CoolSculpting treatment will begin slowly breaking down and be metabolized by your body over time. Expect some swelling around the treatment site, as well as some bruising for a few days. It is normal for the treatment area to feel numb for a few weeks after a CoolSculpting treatment. Your skin may also tingle a bit.
Months Two and Three
Although it is not unusual to notice some results after one month, you will likely need two or three months to see the full results of your CoolSculpting treatment.
