What Is CoolSculpting?

There are many different ways to alter your body if you are unhappy with your appearance, from plastic surgery to the masterful application of makeup. If you are nervous about invasive surgical procedures but are uncomfortable with your looks in any way, then CoolSculpting may be for you.

As a relatively new treatment, CoolSculpting has entered the beauty industry with a bang, and has left patients satisfied with their new look again and again. But exactly what is CoolSculpting? Here’s an intro guide to help answer all of your questions.

CoolSculpting at a Glance

CoolSculpting is a non-surgical, fat-freezing procedure and is the only of its kind to be cleared by the FDA. It is used to provide concentrated cooling to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat around the body without using anesthesia, incisions, or invasive techniques. It is considered by many to be a safer method of fat reduction than liposuction. There is little to no downtime — meaning you can even get your CoolSculpting completed on your lunch hour — with very minimal pain, if any.

Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting?

Coolsculpting is meant for pockets of fat that still persist despite exercise and dieting efforts. If you have consistently dieted and exercised and you are still not happy with your appearance, then CoolSculpting can be for you.

However, women who are pregnant, and people with poor circulation, Raynaud’s disease, blood or bleeding conditions, severe anxiety, chronic pain conditions, or eczema are advised against this procedure. It is also recommended to speak to your general practitioner to get the go-ahead before committing to the treatment for your safety and to also ensure that their data is incorporated in a health information exchange with your insurance company and any other healthcare provider that provides services to you.

Where can I get CoolSculpting done?

There are nine areas of the body that can receive a CoolSculpting treatment, as per the FDA:

1. Abdomen
2. Flanks/sides, also known as muffin top or love handles
3. Double chin
4. Inner thighs
5. Outer thighs
6. Under the armpit
7. Back
8. Buttocks and under the buttocks
9. Upper arms

So if any of these areas are bothering you, it could be wise to consider CoolSculpting to change your shape and how you feel about yourself! However, it is important to know that if you have large areas of scar tissue, you may not be an ideal candidate.

How does CoolSculpting work?

Simply put, CoolSculpting uses a device that flash-freezes the fat cells under the skin in your targeted area. Once the fat cells are frozen, they are destroyed and then processed by the body and removed by the liver. The treatment is outpatient, and will be done while you are wearing your regular clothes, as there is no extra equipment needed besides the CoolSculpting device.

When it comes to seeing results, you may notice a change in the area after a few days. However, it is common not to see the final result until about a month after the treatment because your body needs time to purge the dead fat cells.

Are there any risks?

As with any other medical treatment, some minor risks are associated with CoolSculpting. Depending on the person, it is common to experience some or all of the following side effects:

• A tugging sensation where the CoolSculpting device ran over your body
• Redness
• Firmness
• Pinching sensation
• Tenderness and bruising
• Tingling and numbness
• Skin sensitivity
• Muscle cramping
• Itchiness
• Diarrhea as the fat cells are removed from the body

Again, all results are different but it is common to experience these side effects for a few weeks after the treatment is done. Everything should subside after about four weeks.

CoolSculpting can be a wonderful treatment for those looking to enhance their appearance where dieting, exercising, and preventative oral hygiene services have not helped. To learn more, contact a local CoolSculpting plastic surgeon.