Last Updated on February 18, 2023 by Arihara Sudhan
Quick Facts
About
- Coolsculpting is a fat-freezing treatment that reduces stubborn areas of body fat.
- CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure.
Treatment areas
- CoolSculpting has been FDA approved for use on the upper arms, thighs, back, abdomen, flanks and submental area.
Number of treatments needed
- Patients generally require between 1-3 CoolSculpting treatments.
Results
- An average of 20-25% reduction in fat can be expected following one treatment.
Cost
- Depending on the body part targeted, CoolSculpting can cost between $650-$1500 per treatment.
Consultation
- Always consult your dermatologist before making a decision on Coolsculpting procedure.
- Get a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the consultation.
Providers near you
- You can find a nearby CoolSculpting provider using our cosmetic doctor search tool.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive body-contouring procedure designed for people at, or close to, their ideal weight. During a CoolSculpting treatment, subcutaneous fat is cooled to a temperature low enough to cause fat cell death (apoptosis). Subcutaneous fat refers to the layer of fat underneath the epidermis and dermis.
Fat cells can be damaged by temperatures between 3.8C and 5C. Over two to three months, the body gradually flushes out the dead fat cells as waste. The treatment reduces the number of fat cells and reduces the thickness of the fat layer.
Who Is It For?
You are a good candidate for coolsculpting if
- You are in sound health and have realistic expectations from the treatment.
- You have excessive fat in localized areas resistant to exercise, and diet, including love handles, thighs, etc.
- You have considerable amount of fat to treat. CoolSculpting works best on people who have pinchable amount of fat in the targeted area.
- You are committed to a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and diet to maintain the results.
- You have a good skin elasticity as coolsculpting may cause loose skin in some cases.
Who Should Avoid Coolsculpting?
It is recommended to avoid body contouring procedures like coolsculpting if you belong to the below-mentioned categories of people.
- People with Loose skin or Saggy skin
- People who are menstruating (as it may lead to cramping)
- People with epilepsy
- People who cannot sustain in cold temperatures.
- People with nerve problems, varicose veins, and lesions/rashes
- People who recently had their surgery
- People with seizure and bleeding disorders.
- People who have installed electronic implants like pacemakers, hearing devices, etc.
How Is Coolsculpting Performed?
- During the CoolSculpting procedure, the coolsculpting device is positioned by placing applicator plates on the targeted area.
- Gel pads on the applicator plates protect the skin from injury. Moderate vacuum suction draws the tissue into the applicator.
- The plates strictly cool the fat cells but leave surrounding skin, tissue, and organs unharmed.
- A pinchable amount of fat is packed into a rectangular handpiece.
- You might feel some pressure and intense cold for some time which dissipates gradually.
- The entire procedure is not painful, but you may feel pulling, pinching, or numbness during the procedure.
- Treatments take between 35 and 60 minutes, depending on the part of the body being treated.
- Once the treatment is done, you may have a small block of frozen tissue, which the surgeon will massage until it get normalized.
Is Coolsculpting Actually Effective?
Defining coolsculpting based on effectiveness is slightly challenging as it does not provide fixed results to all.
The effectiveness of coolsculpting differs based on amount of fat being treated, the location of the fat, and the patient’s overall health.
If you have some unrealistic goals or thinking about sudden transformation in your physique with coolsculpting, coolsculpting is not an effective choice.
Consult your dermatologist before jumping right into coolsculpting.
What Results Can I Expect from Coolsculpting?
Fat reduction
CoolSculpting is an effective treatment for individuals aiming to reduce and contour stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to dietary changes and exercise. It is ideal for individuals within 5-10 pounds of their target body weight but is not a substitute for weight loss.
Skin tightening
CoolSculpting stimulates the formation of new collagen, resulting in skin tightening. One study of CoolSculpting beneath the chin found a skin reduction of 2.7% in the treatment area.
Another study noted an improvement in skin texture and laxity following CoolSculpting on the outer thighs, abdomen, arms and back. 25-30% of patients perceived a noticeable improvement in loose skin following treatment.
Cellulite
Reports from patients and practitioners have indicated that CoolSculpting of the outer thighs may result in a mild to moderate improvement in cellulite. However, there is no clinical evidence to confirm these observations yet.
Does Coolsculpting work on Belly Fat?
Yes, Coolsculpting works on belly fat just like any other areas which are resistant to fat reduction. Generally, coolsculpting may reduce 25% of fat in the targeted area.
If focussed in abdomen region, coolsculpting might reduce belly fat to 18% to 25%. But belly fat covers a large area, and hence you may need two to three treatments, and it may take 3 to 6 months to achieve the desired fat reduction.
Coolsculpting: Treatment Areas, Before and After
Dr. St. Surin, an renowned Dermatologist, in an interview with “Top Doctor medical Interviews”, says “Coolsculpting is fat reduction procedure which can help you remove the unwanted fat from those hard to lose places such as your abdomen, thighs, love handles, etc… and give you the beautiful body shape you desire without surgery, with minimal discomfort and no downtime.”
Larger applicators enable higher-volume fat reduction for places such as the abdomen or thighs, while smaller, flatter applicators are used to target areas such as the chin with more precision.
Abdomen
CoolSculpting is commonly used to reduce the appearance of abdominal fat (a muffin top).
Effectiveness
In one study performed in 2016, patients experienced a mean reduction of 3.53cm in the circumference of their abdomen following treatment. A decrease of 0.2cm of the fat layer thickness was observed after 45 days.
Those conducting the study also noted that the firmness of patients’ skin improved.
Before and Afters
Flanks
Effectiveness
Patients who have undergone CoolSculpting treatments on their flanks, or love handles, experienced an average fat layer reduction of 22.4% across the treated area. These results became apparent at four months post-treatment.
In another study of CoolSculpting of the flanks, treatment photos were reviewed by independent physicians. 94.4% correctly identified the pre and post treatment images. Patients were judged to have an average 43% improvement in the reduction of fat from the flanks.
Before and Afters
Arms
CoolSculpting can be successfully performed on the upper arms to reduce localized fat deposits. The CoolFit flat vacuum cup applicator easily reaches and treats longer fat bulges, such as those found along the arms.
Effectiveness
In one 2015 study, 83% of patients experienced a reduction in arm fat following a single CoolSculpting treatment. The mean reduction in fat layer thickness was 20%, and 91% of participants in the study were satisfied with the outcome.
Before and Afters
Inner Thighs
CoolSculpting can also reduce fat from the inner thighs. The CoolFit applicator is specially designed to deliver safe and effective cryolipolysis of inner thigh fat.
Effectiveness
A study of 42 patients who underwent one CoolSculpting treatment on their inner thighs noted that 84% of patients noticed a visible reduction in fat, 93% reported they were satisfied with the results of the procedure, and 91% were likely to undergo a second treatment.
Outer Thighs
The outer thighs, also known as the saddle bags, can be successfully treated with CoolSculpting. A conformable CoolSculpting applicator (CoolCurve) can be moulded to fit the thigh and secured in place with straps.
Effectiveness
A study of CoolSculpting on the lateral thighs of 40 patients found the treatment to be safe and effective.
Ultrasound image analysis confirmed that patients reduced their outer thigh bulge by 2.6mm on average. 86% of patients confirmed that they were satisfied with the treatment and noticed a visible reduction in fat while 97% expressed they were likely to undergo a second treatment.
Before and Afters
Submental Area (Chin)
CoolSculpting can non-invasively reduce the appearance of a double chin. The CoolMini applicator is designed to treat the submental area.
Effectiveness
86% of patients in a study of submental CoolSculpting felt the procedure improved the contour of their chin and neck while 93% reported they were satisfied with their results. 3D imaging from the study revealed that a significant reduction of the fat layer was achieved.
In addition, the study noted that patients who underwent CoolSculpting of their chins also experienced skin tightening.
Before and Afters
Back
Effectiveness
CoolSculpting can reduce upper back fat found near the armpits. Women commonly experience fat deposits here, in the form of “bra bulge” found around the bra line. Anecdotal reports from patients report visible reductions in upper back fat.
Before and Afters
Off-Label Uses of CoolSculpting
When a medical device is used in a way that has not been formally approved by the FDA, it is referred to as off-label use.
CoolSculpting is sometimes used off-label for mild to moderate cases of gynecomastia. The treatment is most effective for men who have stubborn pockets of fat in their breast tissue. It is not a suitable procedure for men whose gynecomastia is characterized by excess glandular tissue.
How Many Coolsculpting Treatments Are Needed?
Most patients experience a 20-25% reduction in fat after just one treatment. Sometimes two to three treatments may be necessary to achieve optimal results.
Factors that influence the number of treatments include:
- The results desired
While one CoolSculpting treatment can reduce the fat in the targeted area by 20-25%, many CoolSculpting providers recommend that patients wait to see the results of their first treatment to determine whether they desire a second treatment. - The areas of the body being treated
Areas with larger amounts of fat are generally more responsive to CoolSculpting. When the fat is loose, it can be easily pinched into the CoolSculpting device. This generally signals that good results can be achieved with one or two sessions.
An experienced CoolSculpting provider will visually assess your fat to determine which areas will respond best and the number of treatments that will be required. Patients are usually reassessed after one month to check their progress.
How Long Does Coolsculpting Take?
Coolsculpting may take lesser time compared to other fat reduction techniques, say, 35 to 60 minutes. It may extend further longer based on the treatment areas and the amount of fat reduction.
You may need two to three treatments and about 2 to 4 months (maximum 6 months) to get desired results in the treated area.
How Much Does Coolsculpting Cost?
The cost of CoolSculpting depends primarily on the size of the area being treated. The smaller the area, the lower the cost. Cost will also be affected by:
- The reputation and experience of your provider
- The size of the Coolsculpting applicator (larger applicators such as the CoolCurve used for the outer thighs cost more to operate than the CoolFit applicator used for the arms)
- The geographical location where you receive your treatment
- The number of treatments you undergo
The table below shows the average cost per treatment.
| Body Part | Cost |
|---|---|
| Arms | $650 per arm |
| Inner thighs | $750 per thigh |
| Outer thighs | $1500 per thigh |
| Submental area | $1400 |
| Abdomen | $1500 |
| Flanks | $1200 for each side |
| Back | $1200 for each side |
Risks and Side Effects of CoolSculpting
Cosmetic procedures might carry a risk and coolsculpting, despite being non-invasive, have potential risks that you should be aware of
- Pain, Swelling, and Bruising.
- Numbness and tingling in the treatment area
- Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Skin Sensitivity.
Takeaway
Coolsculpting is one of many non-invasive fat reduction techniques. The treatment uses controlled chilling to destroy fat cells. CoolSculpting represents an effective, non-invasive method of reducing fat and contouring the arms, abdomen, thighs, flanks, chin and back.
Patients can expect a 20-25% reduction in fat following a single treatment. Some patients may benefit from additional treatments.
While CoolSculpting is designed to help reduce stubborn deposits of fat, it does not represent a substitute for weight loss. Nor does it offer a substitute for surgical body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, which can remove larger quantities of fat.
» Learn more about the differences between CoolSculpting and liposuction.
Is CoolSculpting Worth it?
Coolsculpting works out for you if you have a proper planning, get adequate consultations and get treated by an experienced surgeon.
Coolsculpting may be a non-surgical procedure, and it requires no recovery time, but it does not work out for all. Make sure you are the right candidate for coolsculpting before jumping into the procedure.
If you are giving a thought to coolsculpting, consider the benefits, risks, and the aftercare procedures. Get consultation from your surgeon before your procedure.
Never stop with a single consultation from a single surgeon! Get a Second Opinion.
Find a CoolSculpting Provider
If you think that you would benefit from CoolSculpting treatments, a consultation with an experienced Coolsculpting provider can help you determine which parts of your body may be suitable for treatment.
Experienced providers can also assess whether you may be a better candidate for an alternative procedure.
Coolsculpting Alternatives
If you are still hesitant to coolsculpting, here are some alternatives that we would suggest
- Liposuction – A surgical procedure to remove fat deposits
- Kybella – Helps breaking down fat cells in the chin area.
- Zerona – Cold Laser treatment to shrink fat cells
- Heat Treatments like Sculpsure and Radiofrequency procedures to remove fat.
- Electromagnetic treatments like Emsculpt to tighten muscles and break down fat cells.
