How Long Does CoolSculpting Last

No matter how many times you hit the treadmill, you just can’t seem to lose that muffin top. Despite popular belief, exercise and diet can’t always help you reach your desired body goals- and this is where non-invasive fat reduction treatments such as CoolSculpting comes in!

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive treatment designed to target stubborn fat on areas such as the stomach, arms, and legs. Unlike liposuction, CoolSculpting does not require invasive surgery that can lead to pain and long recovery times. CoolSculpting offers a gentler, faster way to eliminate fat bulges and tighten trouble spots with minimal downtime.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, painless, and fast fat reduction treatment that freezes away targeted fat areas and shapes your body.

CoolSculpting treatments have several advantages over other invasive weight loss methods such as liposuction. They don’t require any injections or anesthesia during the treatment sessions.

The CoolSculpting treatment is:

Non-surgical
FDA approved
No downtime
Minimal Side Effects

A treatment session can be scheduled in the middle of your busy day and you can return to work right after! The non-invasive design means no needles or incisions, which reduces the chances of side effects. Common side effects are minimal, including temporary redness, bruising, or stinging at the treatment site.

CoolSculpting Reduces Fat by Freezing Fat Cells

Dieter Manstein of Massachusetts General Hospital and Rox Anderson of Harvard Medical School invented CoolSculpting in 2008. Clinical trials occurred the same year, and ZELTIQ received the exclusive commercial license to the technology.

CoolSculpting treatments work by freezing fat cells, which causes the cells to die over time. The miracle of CoolSculpting is that the process affects only the targeted fat cells; it does not damage the surrounding skin, tissue, or nerves. The scientific term for this form of fat reduction is cryolipolysis or “fat freezing”. CoolSculpting can target specific areas on the body where unwanted fat has accumulated without affecting other areas. Common treatment areas include:

Under the chin
Upper arms
Flank
Abdomen
Inner and outer thighs

After the freezing process, the fat cells in the target area die off over the course of a few weeks. The body then processes and eliminates these dead cells, leading to a reduction in fatty build-up in the area.

CoolSculpting received FDA approval for treatment of fat on the flanks, or sides, in 2010 and for the stomach area in 2012. Over the years additional treatment areas have been approved, including the thighs and back area.

CoolSculpting Provides Long-Lasting Fat Reduction Results

If you maintain a health diet and exercise, your fat reduction results should last long-term. Once CoolSculpting kills fat cells, they are gone for good. This does not mean, however, that you cannot regain fat in those areas. Without a proper diet and exercise, you may see weight gain in various areas of your body including those areas previously treated by CoolSculpting. If this occurs, CoolSculpting can be repeated once you return to a healthier diet and weight loss routine.

Related article: Freezing Fat Away with CoolSculpting – How Does it Work

CoolSculpting is Non-Invasive and Painless

During your first consultation, a medical aesthetician will determine if your body is suitable to receive CoolSculpting treatments on by assessing your areas of concern. They will analyze your overall weight, your weight loss goals, and the size of the treatment area. They will also measure the areas you want treated to see if the technology can treat the areas, and also make sure that the type of fat is treatable with CoolSculpting.

On the day of your treatment, the CoolSculpting device is positioned on the treatment area. Various shapes and sizes of applicators are available to find the best fit for your size and desired treatment area. You may feel some discomfort as the procedure begins, but once the skin has cooled you will simply feel a cool sensation on the affected area.

During the treatment, you will be able to read, listen to music, and do a variety of other activities to help alleviate any boredom while waiting for the treatment cycle to finish. No medication or anesthesia is necessary, so you can drive immediately after the procedure if necessary. After the treatment you may have tenderness or soreness. Typically, you can resume normal activities as long as they are comfortable for you.

Results are Visible in as Little as Three Weeks

Treatment sessions can last from one to eight hours, with the option to receive a treatment session over the course of several days. Typically, patients receive one to three total sessions per area. Results from the treatment can be seen in as little as three weeks. The most dramatic results are visible around two months after treatment, but the body will continue to eliminate fat cells for four to six months. However, please keep in mind that every patient is different- cases may vary.

Patients can have one or multiple areas treated during a single session. Some patients wish to undergo treatment for only an hour or two at a time and spread the sessions out over several days or weeks. This shortens the appointment times and allows more time for recovery from any soreness between sessions. Other patients prefer to undergo longer sessions on multiple areas in a single treatment, so they require fewer appointments to complete their treatment plan. If you experience soreness or discomfort after your treatment, you may wish to undergo a shorter session during your next appointment or to lengthen the time between appointments to allow time for any bruising to heal.

CoolSculpting is Ideal for Treating Excess Fat Areas

Not everyone is a good candidate for CoolSculpting’s fat-freezing treatment. CoolSculpting targets stubborn bulges and areas of fat, but it’s not an ideal treatment for large areas of fat. Both men and women can receive the treatment. Most candidates for the treatment are within 30 pounds of their ideal weight and have specific areas they want treated. An ideal candidate has a bulge of fat in an otherwise toned area that they want to eliminate. Areas where fat accumulates vary between men and women. Women often focus on the abdomen and thighs, while men may focus on the underarms and back.

If you are considering CoolSculpting for weight loss or fat reduction, it is important to talk to a professional. A trained CoolSculpting provider can assess whether you are a good candidate for the treatment. They will also help you determine how many treatments you need to see the results you want. Some patients wish to work with a professional to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure their CoolSculpting results last permanently. A healthy diet and regular exercise will prevent fat from returning to treated areas.