Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It Like?Who Is It For?Duration of ResultsRisksParadoxical Fat HyperplasiaDoes It Work?CostAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It Like?
Who Is It For?
Duration of Results
Risks
Paradoxical Fat Hyperplasia
Does It Work?
Cost
Alternatives
This article discusses CoolSculpting’s safety and effectiveness, as well as alternative options for fat reduction.
Zoran Zeremski / Getty Images
What Is the CoolSculpting Procedure Like?
CoolSculpting is anoninvasive fat removal procedurethat doesn’t involve incisions or any downtime after the treatment.
A healthcare provider will assess the treatment area, including a pinchable bulge of fat located on one or more of the following FDA-approved regions: abdomen, thighs, back, arms, flanks (or “love handles”), or under the chin.
Then, a gel pad is placed on the skin for protection before the CoolSculpting device applicator is applied to the area. The applicator then sucks or vacuums the fat bulge into an opening in the applicator, using a controlled cooling function to kill off the fat cells.
Some patients report the area feeling slightly uncomfortable at first due to the cold temperatures and suctioning. But after a few minutes, the site should feel numb or normal.
How Long Is the Procedure?
Depending on the target area and a patient’s goals, some people may require up to three sessions to see full results.Repeat treatment sessions can be scheduled several weeks apart.
The body naturally eliminates the fat cells that are damaged during the procedure over four to six months. A fat reduction of around 20% is generally expected.
Who Is CoolSculpting For?
Studies show that CoolSculpting is safe for all skin types and safe for repeat treatments.
The ideal candidates for CoolSculpting are those who want to reduce a bulge of fat in one of the approved treatment areas that haven’t been resolved with exercise or diet modifications. Additionally, they should be open to maintaining the achieved results with anactive lifestyle.
CoolSculpting is not meant for people with a cold sensitivity disorder, such as:
How Long Does CoolSculpting Last?
CoolSculpting permanently damages existing fat cells so that they won’t grow back. But it’s important to note that removing existing fat cells doesn’t mean fat cells in other areas won’t grow. Fat cells are a preset number at birth. Once removed, they do not come back. Existing cells will grow instead.
Research estimates that results last up to nine years after treatment, with the potential to maintain the effects indefinitely with an active lifestyle (regular exercise and a healthy diet).
The Risks of CoolSculpting
Commonly reported side effects include:
Although rare, there could be a risk of the following complications:
CoolSculpting and Paradoxical Fat Hyperplasia (PAH)
One rarely reported complication of CoolSculpting is what’s known asparadoxical adipose hyperplasia(PAH).
With PAH, fat cells grow instead of diminishing in the treatment area. It can appear like a bulge of firm or hardened fatty tissue in the rectangular shape of the applicator.
One study estimates that PAH happens in 0.05% to 0.39% of cases. It may be more common with older versions of the applicator and in certain male patients.PAH can be treated with surgical liposuction.
Does CoolSculpting Really Work?
Research shows that CoolSculpting is a safe and effective procedure for nonsurgical fat reduction and is particularly useful for modest spot reduction in some fat regions. Specifically, studies have found:
More research is underway to determine which areas of the body are the most successfully treated with CoolSculpting and whether this technique can be used in areas previously treated with liposuction.
How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?
The average cost of one CoolSculpting treatment is close to $1,500 per session.Prices can vary based on other factors, like the geographic location of the medical treatment center and the healthcare provider’s experience or expertise.
Alternatives to CoolSculpting
There are several different methods of noninvasive or minimally invasive body contouring. These options are designed todecrease fatfrom certain parts of the body using devices that destroy fat cells via cold (like CoolSculpting), heat, sound waves, or injectable solutions.
SculpSure
SculpSure is a noninvasive treatment that dissolves fat cells with controlled heat from a laser device. It’s typically used on the abdomen and flanks.
Patients report the SculpSure treatment as relatively painless, with a potential warming sensation. Each session takes about 25 minutes.
Results become noticeable in roughly six weeks, with final results seen after three months. The effects of SculpSure are typically permanent or long-lasting unless there’s significant weight gain.
Vanquish
Vanquish is another noninvasive treatment that dissolves fat cells with radio waves from a laser device.
With Vanquish, an applicator emitting a radio frequency is held roughly 1 centimeter from the skin. This heats fat cells safely without damaging the skin or other tissues.
Each treatment takes roughly 30 minutes and is recommended weekly for about a month. Vanquish can reduce fat, abdominal circumference, andbody mass index(BMI).
Kybella
Kybella is an injection that’s FDA-approved to destroy fat under the chin. A chemical known as deoxycholic acid is injected into the area to break down fat cells. Multiple small injections are made over about a 20-minute period.
Common side effects are typically mild and temporary, including numbness, bruising, swelling, and redness or discoloration. It’s rare to experience serious side effects.
Summary
CoolSculpting is a safe, noninvasive fat-freezing method. Using a suction device applicator, CoolSculpting uses cold temperatures to safely break down fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues. The procedure is FDA-approved for specific body parts with an excess fat bulge and takes less than an hour per session. Results can be noticeable within a few months and may last long term with an active lifestyle and well-balanced diet.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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