How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting is the brand name for a fat reduction technique known as cryolipolysis. It has gotten a lot of positive attention in recent years as it’s a non-invasive, nonsurgical procedure that removes unwanted fat from targeted parts of the body by freezing and killing fat cells. FDA approved since 2010, it is widely considered safe and effective for most healthy adults.
While not used for dramatic weight loss, it can help remove fat from areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise. It can be frustrating to find you cannot get rid of unwanted fat deposits despite your best efforts, and CoolSculpting can help. It’s a good alternative to liposuction for those looking to spot treat particular areas like the thighs, love-handles, and belly.
However, how does CoolSculpting work? As the treatment sounds too good to be true, many wonder about the science behind CoolSculpting and how long results will last.
Below, we’ll go over the basics of CoolSculpting to help you decide whether the procedure is right for you.
What Is The Science Behind CoolSculpting?
Scientists developed the idea for CoolSculpting while looking at what happens to the body during frostbite. Fat freezes at much higher temperatures than the skin does. This led to the idea of a non-invasive way to kill unwanted fat cells.
Scientists realized they could use a device warm enough to be safe for the skin, but cold enough to kill fat cells underneath the skin’s surface. The result was a noninvasive, nonsurgical way of removing unwanted fat from certain parts of the body.
What Happens During A CoolSculpting Session?
During CoolSculpting, a practitioner will apply a gel to the treated area. Then, they’ll apply the device to the treatment site. The entire process takes between 35 to 60 minutes and can remove as much 20 to 25% of fat from a specific area.
After a CoolSculpting procedure, the immune system will begin clearing dead fat cells from the body. This process can take several weeks, so you may not see results for a few months after treatment. However, most patients are happy with how their body looks after the procedure. Results, once they start to show, are usually very noticeable.
CoolSculpting is usually not painful, although some patients report feeling a tugging sensation during the process. Usually, it has minimal side effects. In some cases, you may notice rashes and redness near the treatment site, but in most cases this clears up within a few days.
Do not expect dramatic weight loss after CoolSculpting, but do expect improved contour. It can successfully eliminate unwanted fat bulges throughout the body. This will leave the treatment area looking significantly slimmer.
Does CoolSculpting Permanently Get Rid Of Fat?
Yes and no.
Fat cells killed under CoolSculpting will not come back. They are removed via the immune system, which permanently destroys them. However, how long the effects will last comes down to your lifestyle. You can always gain new fat.
If you gain weight after CoolSculpting, the fat has to be deposited somewhere. You may notice more weight gain in areas that have not been treated.
It is not just your lifestyle that effects how long results last, however. People often think CoolSculpting will immediately get them the body they want, but this is not necessarily the case. The procedure removes fat from target areas, but it won’t immediately gain you the exact body type you want. If you want to look more toned or muscular, you’ll have to adopt the proper exercise regimen to achieve those results. Changing your lifestyle can make the effects of CoolSculpting even more noticeable, leaving you happier and more confident.
However, if you’re able to maintain a healthy weight and keep up with a regular exercise routine, your results should be more or less permanent.
The Bottom Line
CoolSculpting is an innovative new technique that takes advantage of the fact fat freezes at lower temperatures. It provides a safe alternative to procedures like liposuction for those looking for something less invasive. The recovery time is generally short, and complications are rare.
CoolSculpting is permanent, however you can still gain weight. That weight gain may be in a different distribution than prior to your CoolSculpting treatment. The fat cells removed during the initial procedure are removed permanently and with proper lifestyle adjustments, you can see dramatic changes to your body that can improve your self-esteem.
Think CoolSculpting is right for you? At BLUSH Beverly Hills, we have a talented team of medical professionals with decades worth of experience, including experience with CoolSculpting. If you’re interested in talking over the procedure, reach out here and someone will be in touch shortly.