CoolSculpting, or cryoliposis, is a nonsurgical, noninvasive method of body contouring, where a tool is used to freeze fat cells, which then die off and the body naturally eliminates them. Results appear over some time ranging from a few weeks up to three months. Some people may see results immediately after a treatment, whereas others may notice a bigger difference after a few months.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
Simply put, CoolSculpting freezes fat away and eliminates it. The actual process is nearly as simple as the description you just saw. There’s no surgery or needles involved with CoolSculpting. Here’s a step-by-step process of what to expect during your treatment:
- You and your doctor decide which areas of fat you want to get rid of.
- The CoolSculpting machine holds the fat to be eliminated between two paddles.
- The paddles cool down to freezing temperatures, and your doctor leaves them in place for anywhere between 35 and 75 minutes.
- This amount of time with CoolSculpting is enough to eliminate 20-25% of the fat cells in the area.
- Over time, your body clears out the now-dead fat cells, and your fat disappears.
- You should see results from several weeks to several months after the treatment.
It is that simple. All you have to do is show up and sit still for 35 to 75 minutes. You can even get CoolSculpting done on your lunch break if the tools do their work fast enough.
Benefits Of CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is an incredible treatment with benefits to match. Apart from being quick and non-invasive, here are a few other benefits of CoolSculpting:
Little to No Side Effects
Because CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure, there are few side effects. There aren’t many short-term or long-term side effects outside of temporary redness and numbness to the targeted area. There is some more information below regarding side effects.
Gives You the Ability to Target Specific Areas of the Body
Outside of liposuction, which is costly and time-consuming, CoolSculpting is one of the only treatments that can target specific areas. With even the most stringent diet and exercise regime, you can’t guarantee which parts of your body will get lean. CoolSculpting gives you the ability to pick the fat you want to eliminate, and it does it quickly. Below are some of the many areas that can be treated with CoolSculpting:
- Jaw/Neckline
- Upper arms
- Bra fat
- Inner thighs
- Outer thighs
- Flanks, also known as “Love Handles”
- Abdomen
- Back fat
- Fat under the buttocks
Remember, CoolSculpting is not for weight loss, it is only to remove those areas of stubborn body fat that just won’t disappear. People who use CoolSculpting, are already working towards their ideal body weight and image.
Will Save You Money and Time
Most CoolSculpting treatments take less than an hour and are a one-time thing. Diet and exercise are everyday commitments that take time out of your already hectic schedule. Not only will CoolSculpting save you time, but it’s also much cheaper than liposuction and many other fat-eliminating procedures.
A Mostly Pain-Free Procedure
The procedure is painless outside of some initial stinging or pulling as your body acclimates to the chilly machine that CoolSculpting uses. There aren’t any needles or incisions in the skin that causes pain and scarring. Once you get used to the cold, you’re good to go.
After your treatment, you might experience some tingling, numbness, or sensitivity to the affected areas, but nothing like surgery or other procedures. At worst, you may experience cramping or aching depending on what part of the body was targeted and for how long.
Is CoolSculpting Safe?
Unlike liposuction, which requires anesthesia and comes with risks of bleeding and serious infections, CoolSculpting is a relatively safe in-office procedure, with minimal pain and downtime. The treatment itself only takes about 35 minutes per application depending on how many body parts you are doing and which body part you are doing. It is a relatively safe procedure in that there is no surgery needed so no use of anesthesia, no scars, no drugs needed to recover, and no downtime. You can go to work the next day feeling like yourself and excited for your progress towards your body contouring goals!
What are the Side Effects?
There are minimal side effects which include:
- Redness at the treatment site
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Darkening of the skin
- Tingling
Most side effects resolve within a few months after treatment, however, there is one side effect that is very rare as it only occurs in less than 1% of patients; this is when there is increased fat growth at the treatment site. Another issue may come up if you suffer from health conditions such as cryogiobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria; in these cases, someone should not engage in CoolSculpting. As always, it is important tell your doctor of any medical conditions you may have, such as those listed here, or if you have any allergies.
The Result
Since CoolSculpting literally kills the fat cells you are treating, the treatment is permanent. However, this does not mean that new fat cells can grow back in the same area if someone were to gain weight. It is ideal for every patient to maintain a healthy lifestlye including diet and exercise; this type of consistency will keep those nagging fatty areas lean.
If you have some lifelong goals for your body and you just can’t seem to get the rest of the stubborn fatty areas to the shape you want, CoolSculpting is for you! Dive in, and invest in yourself to boost your confidence and mood; wear that swimsuit you’ve always dreamt of wearing without worry! CoolSculpting, the way to a better you.
