CoolSculpting

Getting the body shape you want just by diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits can seem almost impossible. This is because we have a set number of fat cells in our bodies, which doesn’t change much throughout adult life. Also, even if you lose weight, there’s no guarantee that your body fat will shrink in the areas you want it to shrink.

Our body shape is mostly determined by factors that we have no control over, such as genetics, gender, hormones, and age. For instance, if you have an apple-shaped body, your midsection may always be proportionately larger than the rest of your features—even if you’re thin.

That’s why CoolSculpting^® can be so useful for sculpting body contours: It allows for direct targeting of areas you wish would slim down.

If you’re searching for, “How does CoolSculpting^® destroy fat?” you’ll see that—as the name implies—it works by cooling the fat cells in targeted areas to a certain temperature. The process is known by the medical term “cryolipolysis^®,” or fat destruction by controlled cooling. Since fat cells are more sensitive to cold when compared to other types of cells, they are crystallized and killed off at temperatures that don’t affect the surrounding skin, blood vessels, and other tissues. This allows patients to get rid of fat from specific, isolated areas, because crystalized fat cells are removed by natural body processes and flushed out of the body.

Once fat cells are removed, they can’t grow back.

In 2020 alone, practices around the United States performed more than 300,000 non-invasive fat reduction procedures. CoolSculpting^® is a popular choice, with more and more people becoming aware of it—and then considering it for themselves.

The first question many such patients often have for us is, “How do I know if CoolSculpting^® is right for me?” The only way of knowing for sure is by having a consultation with our experienced, board-certified dermatologists.

With that in mind, it can be important to understand that ideal CoolSculpting^® candidates are women and men in good overall shape and close to their goal weight, but who nonetheless struggle with bulges in specific areas—typically the stomach, flanks, and thighs.

Patients must also recognize that CoolSculpting^® is not a weight-loss procedure intended to get rid a large volume of fat, but is rather a treatment tool used to target specific areas in an otherwise healthy patient.

CoolSculpting^® can only target the soft, wobbly fat that can be seen and felt directly below the skin, which is known as subcutaneous fat. It can’t target the hard, unseen fat located in the abdomen, called visceral fat or hard belly fat. The treatment is also not effective for tightening loose skin, so patients who have a poor skin tone may want to pair a skin-tightening plan with their fat reduction.

Patients who believe that CoolSculpting^® might be the solution to their struggle with specific problem areas should schedule a consultation with us to discuss their needs, concerns, and goals with a licensed dermatologist.

CoolSculpting^® treatments are more convenient for patients when compared to other, more aggressive options, such as surgery. A session is quick with little to no downtime expected after.

The length of a CoolSculpting^® session varies depending on the size and number of treatment areas, since many patients choose to address multiple problem areas in a single session. Depending on the number of areas being addressed, our team may recommend breaking the session into multiple appointments.

So how do you prepare for CoolSculpting^®? Prior to the procedure, patients should avoid sunburns, which might cause discomfort in the treatment area, as well as supplements and medications that can thin the blood, as they can increase the likelihood of bruising following the appointment.

CoolSculpting^® is sufficiently mild, and patients do not require sedation or anesthetics. Many patients choose to read, watch a movie, or work on a computer or phone during their session. During the appointment, an applicator delivers controlled cooling to the targeted areas to freeze fat cells via a gel pad and applicator placed on the targeted areas. The initial sensation is cold, but the intensity of the low temperature fades as the session goes on. Some patients experience a mild tugging or pinching sensation, as well as mild bruising, swelling, redness, and tingling in the hours and days following a CoolSculpting^® appointment.

Some early results can start to show in about three weeks, but the fat-reduction process is gradual, with the ultimate results visible about six months after the treatment. CoolSculpting^® can reduce the volume of fat in an area by about 20 percent, and treatments can be repeated in the same area for further reduction.

So how long do CoolSculpting^® results last? The fat is gone for good, so the areas of your body that are treated should always remain proportionately smaller—even if you gain a few pounds.

There is no recovery time necessary after CoolSculpting^®, so patients can resume their normal routine—including work, errands, and socializing—following their treatment. You will be able to drive yourself home, and any minimal side effects should be expected to be temporary and resolve on their own.

CoolSculpting^® is a safe, well-studied, science-backed technique, and complications are rare. During your consultation, we will explain what’s involved in the procedure and what to expect during recovery. Patients are encouraged to bring any questions they might have—including about CoolSculpting^® cost, real CoolSculpting^® reviews, and more—as well as to contact us before or after having the treatment if they have any concerns.