What Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an excellent treatment for people with stubborn fat in specific areas that remain unresponsive to regular exercise and a healthy diet. This non-invasive procedure freezes and destroys unwanted fat cells in a targeted area, resulting in a slimmer look and smaller clothing sizes.

CoolSculpting is one of the safest and most proven fat reduction procedures in the world. However, like all medical treatments, it has side effects such as swelling, redness, numbness or bruising.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

CoolSculpting is a FDA-approved version of a method called cryolipolysis. It freezes fat cells without damaging skin or muscle tissue. During the procedure, practitioners vacuum up a fat layer with an applicator and then massage it to ensure that all of the cells are frozen.

During this massage, you may feel a slight burning sensation as the fat cells begin to “thaw” out. You can also expect some bruising, redness, skin sensitivity, and tingling, but these symptoms should fade within a few days.

Aside from these side effects, CoolSculpting is a pain-free procedure that takes an average of an hour per body area. Some people require multiple sessions to reach their goals. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate the fat pockets you want to target and discuss the best ways to reduce them with CoolSculpting.

Keep in mind that this nonsurgical procedure is not a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise. It’s designed to be a fine-tuning tool that can help you look and feel your best. As such, it’s not effective for anyone who is significantly overweight or who has excess skin.

Is CoolSculpting Right for You?

If you’re among the many people who exercise regularly and eat well, but still struggle with stubborn fat pockets, CoolSculpting might be the treatment for you. This FDA-approved procedure can break down unwanted body fat bulges without surgery.

This procedure uses a specialized device to freeze and destroy fat cells in targeted areas, transforming the shape of your body. Fat cells are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than other cells, so CoolSculpting targets them while leaving other skin and muscle tissues unaffected. The body naturally processes and eliminates dead cells over time, so results appear gradually and can last for years.

The most common treated areas include the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, back, and chin. Patients with these problem areas often find their clothes fit better after treatment. CoolSculpting doesn’t treat obesity and shouldn’t replace a healthy diet and exercise routine, but it can help you get more confident about showing off your body in a bikini or swimsuit. It also helps some people feel less self-conscious in certain situations, such as at work or when meeting friends and family.

Choosing the Right CoolSculpting Provider

Choosing the right CoolSculpting provider is one of the most important factors in getting the best results. Since CoolSculpting is a medical procedure, and it affects the body in many ways, you want to ensure that the person who performs your treatment has proper training and experience.

It’s not uncommon to see CoolSculpting offered in nonclinical settings such as cosmetic spas, but it’s important to select a qualified professional to perform the procedure. You should seek a board-certified physician or dermatologist, who has extensive experience with a variety of treatments and devices.

It’s also important to choose a provider who has a good track record with this procedure and has many satisfied patients. Look for testimonials and before and after pictures, but make sure that the photos are real and not stock images provided by the manufacturer of the CoolSculpting machine. While price may seem like a deciding factor when selecting a provider, discerning consumers understand that the best CoolSculpting results are based 70% on technology and 30% on the skill of the technician.

The CoolSculpting Procedure

1. CoolSculpting uses a noninvasive procedure to target stubborn pockets of fat and give patients a more sculpted and toned body. The FDA-cleared treatment uses cryolipolysis, which freezes and destroys the unwanted cells, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. After the fat cells die, your lymphatic system naturally eliminates them. In one session, the nonsurgical CoolSculpting treatment can permanently reduce the number of fat cells by up to 25% in the area treated.
2. During the CoolSculpting treatment, you relax in a comfortable position while the applicator is placed on your desired area. You may feel pressure and intense cold at first, but this sensation quickly dissipates. Many people read, watch movies or TV, work on their laptop, or sleep during their sessions.
3. Your CoolSculpting provider will make sure the temperature on the device is above freezing, which ensures it kills the fat cells without damaging skin tissue or nerves. The process takes 35-60 minutes per area, and it’s possible to treat two areas at once (such as both the love handles or both thighs). After your session, you may experience redness, firmness, numbness or tingling, but these effects should fade within a few days.

Recovery and Aftercare

CoolSculpting is a popular choice for people who want to achieve visible fat reduction, but it’s important to understand how the procedure works before you schedule an appointment. CoolSculpting uses a noninvasive technique to freeze and destroy fat cells, leaving the body to naturally eliminate dead cells over time.

During the treatment, you’ll place a gel pad and applicator on your skin. Then, the machine will deliver controlled cooling to the area. The treatment can last up to 45 minutes, and most patients see results within three weeks of their session.

After a CoolSculpting session, you may experience mild discomfort in the treatment area. Most people do not need prescription painkillers, but over-the-counter ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort.

After your CoolSculpting treatment, it’s important to continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly. This can help you maintain your new figure and avoid gaining weight in the treated area. You’ll also want to keep your body hydrated and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. It’s a good idea to have a water bottle with you at all times, especially after CoolSculpting, because dehydration can worsen the effects of your treatment.

CoolSculpting Cost and Financing Options

CoolSculpting works by freezing unwanted fat cells under the skin. The body then naturally eliminates these dead cells, which leaves a more toned and slimmer body. The cost of CoolSculpting is based on the number of cycles required to achieve your desired results. For example, some clients require multiple sessions to reduce love handles, while others may want to treat both above and below their waistline for a slimmer hourglass figure.

The cost of CoolSculpting is also determined by where you receive your treatment. Established clinics with experienced practitioners are able to charge more because they have proven results and a strong reputation in the community. This translates to better quality care and higher value for your money.

Many potential patients are concerned about the cost of CoolSculpting, especially if they need several treatments or need to target a large area of their body. Luckily, financing options are available to make this non-invasive body sculpting procedure more affordable for those with less than perfect credit. The UCFS online application allows individuals to easily apply and receive approval for their CoolSculpting procedures within moments.

Risks and Side Effects

CoolSculpting is generally considered to be safe and a good alternative to surgical techniques like liposuction. However, it does carry some risks and side effects to keep in mind.

During the treatment, you may feel a tugging sensation. This is a result of the cooling paddles pulling the skin between them, helping to get rid of the fat cells more quickly. It also helps ensure that the paddles are positioned correctly for the best results.

After the treatment, you might experience redness or bruising in the area treated. This is normal and usually fades within a few days or weeks. However, if the side effect is persistent, you may want to see your doctor for additional options.

In rare cases, CoolSculpting can cause a condition known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). PAH is when fat cells enlarge and harden, leaving you with firm lumps of tissue. PAH is more likely to happen if the treatment not performed properly by an experienced practitioner or if the machine used on large areas at one time.

Maintaining Results

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive treatment that can help you achieve a more contoured body. However, it’s important to understand that results are not permanent and will depend on your diet and lifestyle.

The CoolSculpting procedure is FDA-approved and uses cryolipolysis to destroy fat cells in the targeted area. The fat-flushing process continues for several months after your treatment, helping you achieve a more sculpted physique.

You may experience some side effects from your CoolSculpting treatment, including a tugging or pinching sensation in the treated area, pain or tenderness, itching, stinging, skin sensitivity, and diarrhea as your body flushes out dead fat cells. These side effects usually subside within a few weeks and should not be a reason to cancel your appointment.

To maintain your CoolSculpting results, it’s important to eat a healthy diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid consuming sugary, fatty, and processed foods, as these can lead to weight gain and sabotage your CoolSculpting results. Staying hydrated is also key, as it can help improve your metabolism and speed up the body’s natural removal of dead cells.