CoolSculpting is the perfect non-surgical way to get rid of stubborn areas of fat. Unlike liposuction, there’s no trauma to your tissue, and you’ll be on your feet again immediately after treatment.
Ask for a free consultation with one of our certified CoolSculpting experts so that you can learn more, determine if CoolSculpting is a good fit for you, and what to expect.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolScuplting applicators use a powerful vacuum action to pull folds of fat into the applicator which applies precise freezing temperatures in a targeted manor to fat cells.
Since fat cells are destroyed at a higher temperature than other types of cells, the procedure can specifically target the fat while leaving your other tissues undamaged. CoolSculpting devices precisely maintain the exact temperature (not too low, not to high) at the exact duration needed.
Once the fat cells freeze, they’ll crystallize and die. Then, over next few days and weeks your body’s metabolic system will get rid of them naturally and the results will be visible within a few weeks.
The CoolSculpting Process
Before images may be captured for documentation. The CoolSculpting tech will first mark the area to be treated using a pen and a template. A clear gel is applied to the skin. The patient sits or lies on an adjustable bed or reclining chair and get’s comfortable. The tech then carefully places the CoolSculpting applicator to the area. A supporting pillow may be used to help keep the applicator propped up. It is important that the applicator not be moved or break suction during the treatment.
Each applicator has a size and shape applicable to the area being treated. The patient will feel the fold of fatty flesh get gently pulled into the suction cup of the applicator and will soon begin to feel a cold sensation.
At first, the cold temperature will be noticeable but the sensation will subside after several minutes. A session may last anywhere between thirty-five minutes to an hour and a half depending up the areas being treated. The procedure will destroy about 20% to 25% of the fat cells in the targeted area and you’ll begin to notice results once your body kicks in and starts sweeping out the dead cells. In most cases, results are noticed after a few weeks with full results becoming visible within two months.
Is CoolSculpting Painful?
During the CoolSculpting procedure, you won’t feel any pain — just a bit of discomfort and numbness. The treated area will feel cold at first but within a few minutes it will adapt. Some patients also feel a slight pinching or pulling sensation during the procedure. After the applicator is removed and the skin and nerves begin returning to normal temperatures, some patients may experience some brief discomfort until the area is back to normal temperatures. Some may experience a bit of itching or swelling after the session, but these will subside shortly after.
How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?
The cost of CoolSculpting depends upon the areas being treated, and the applicators needed. Treating larger areas costs more than smaller areas. Generally, the cost of a session ranges from $800 to $1500 and most patients will want to get 2 to 3 sessions for maximum results.
To find out what your CoolSculpting course of treatments will cost, schedule a consultation with one of our CoolSculpting techs to discuss your body sculpting goals and possible options.
What Kind of Aftercare is Needed?
Since CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure it requires no aftercare and very little downtime. Most patients are able to drive themselves home or back to work after a CoolSculpting treatment and resume their normal activities that same day or the next.
Wearing loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the treatment can reduce discomfort and gentle movement and walking can help to reduce any inflammation and jumpstart your body’s metabolic process.
What are the Benefits of CoolSculpting Over Traditional Weight Loss?
Traditional fat loss involves a shrinking in the size of your existing fat cells rather than a reduction in their number. By contrast, CoolSculpting actually destroys and disposes of these fat cells so that they can’t come back. While a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regimen will help you to maintain your CoolSculpting results, CoolSculpting offers a more permanent solution for fat loss than traditional dieting and lifestyle changes alone.
Another difference lies in the fact that CoolSculpting is a method of literally sculpting the body. As has been well known for years, it is not possible to loose fat in a single area through targeted exercise. By contrast, CoolSculpting reduces fat in the specific area that it is used on. This is great news for those who have struggled with stubborn areas that seem to hold on to fat even when they exercise and see results in other areas.
How Do I Prepare for the Procedure?
On the day of your CoolSculpting appointment, wear comfortable clothes. It is ok to eat prior to the treatment. Since the treatment can last for over an hour, you should also consider bringing something to read. Some patients even use the treatment session as a change to take a nap!
What Are the Side Effects of CoolSculpting?
The majority of side effects you may experience from CoolSculpting occur during and immediately after your session.
These include:
● Numbness
● Itching or swelling
● Redness
● Stinging
● Bruises
● Cramps
● Tenderness
These sensations are to be expected and will go away within a few days. There have been some rare cases in which some CoolSculpting patients have experienced paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which will cause the fat cells to expand. But that is an extremely rare occurrence — one that only happens to 0.0051% of patients.
What Do I Do If I Have Discomfort After CoolSculpting?
Most patients experience little to no discomfort. But if you do, massage of the treated area directly following therapy can help to reduce discomfort,
restore sensation and blood flow to the area.
If you feel pain or swelling in the area, you can take some over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprophen.
You may also want to try:
● Breathing exercises and meditation
● Warm compresses
● Massage therapy
● Light exercise
Can I Do CoolSculpting Myself at Home?
No. CoolSculpting machines are very precise instruments designed for use by trained esthetic
specialists and are only available to medical facilities with a directing physician. Machines and devices advertised as at home cryolipolysis or fat freezing devices are ineffective at best. There is a reason that the FDA specifically approved the CoolSculpting device from Allergan. CoolSculpting results just can’t be safely replicated by cheap knockoffs.
How is CoolSculpting Different Than Liposuction?
Liposuction is an invasive fat reduction procedure that requires anesthesia and is done with a laser or a cannula. It involves a host of risks including blood clots, fat embolism, infection, shock, bleeding, and anesthesia-related complications. Liposuction creates a significant amount of trauma to the tissues and patients often need at least several days and up to a few weeks to recover from it fully. CoolSculpting on the other hand is a safe, non-invasive treatment with minimal downtime and in some cases, even better results long-term.
CoolSculpting Before And After
Before
8 Weeks After
CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of Kathleen Welsh, MD
Before
10 Weeks After
CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of Jeffrey C. Dawes, MD, FRCSC
Before
12 Weeks After
CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of A. Jay Burns, MD