According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2018 376,962 Coolsculpting procedures were carried out in the United States alone. Since then, the number of individuals choosing non-invasive Coolsculpting for fat loss has only continued to rise.
Why choose Coolsculpting, though? What are the benefits compared to surgical procedures like liposuction? Are there risks to Coolsculpting? We know you have questions, that is why we have pulled together some of the most common questions we get from clients so you know exactly what to expect.
What Is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting® is an FDA-approved, non-invasive fat reduction treatment that has recently grown in popularity around Cleveland, Ohio as well as across the globe. Sometimes referred to as body contouring, coolsculpting uses something called cryolipolysis to achieve long-term, nonsurgical fat reduction.
What is cryolipolysis? Cryolipolysis, or fat freezing, is the actual procedure of applying cold (+12.2 to +41 °F) to specific areas of the body in order to stimulate the removal of subcutaneous fat tissue. What makes this procedure so different from liposuction is that it does not damage an individual’s overlying skin, and it does not require any downtime post-procedure.
So, how exactly does it get rid of fat? Coolsculpting uses suction and temperature-controlled applicators to gently lock onto and freeze fatty tissue. Once the fat cells freeze, they are broken down and harmlessly passed through the body’s lymphatic drainage system. From here, they are permanently removed from the body.
Is Coolsculpting Safe?
In 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially recognized the safety and efficacy of Coolsculpting procedures.
During the procedure, individuals may experience minor sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, and cramping of the treatment site. These are all normal, expected effects of the procedure and are nothing to worry about. Typically, these sensations subside as the treated area becomes numb—which takes about seven minutes.
After the procedure, patients can expect to experience some typical side effects, including temporary redness, swelling, firmness, tingling, tenderness, aching, and skin sensitivity. Again, all of these side effects tend to be minor, and most individuals report only slight discomfort for a few days following their procedure.
What Happens During a Coolsculpting Treatment?
The night before your Coolsculpting Treatment, you will want to drink plenty of water and avoid taking any supplements, medications, or consuming any drinks that may cause your blood to thin. Since the cryolipolysis uses the lymphatic system to flush out the dead fat cells, patients may want to consider continuing these habits for a few days after their procedure to help optimize results.
Coolsculpting sessions can last anywhere from one to four hours, so Advanced Aesthetics gives all of our clients access to Netflix, Hulu, and more to help pass the time. We also know Coolsculpting can be uncomfortable, so we supply cozy slippers, robes, and loose clothing so you can be as relaxed as possible during your procedure.
As for the treatment itself, patients can expect to do anywhere from two to twelve rounds or “cycles” of coolsculpting during each scheduled appointment. The number of cycles per appointment is based on the size of your treatment area. The larger the area, the more cycles you will need. Each cycle can last anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes.
These cycles typically go as follows:
When you arrive, you will be roomed and Joelle will take 360 photos of your treatment area.
Your Coolsculpting specialist will identify the appropriate applicators for your treatment area.
You will then be prepped with a Pre-Treatment wipe, then a gel pad will be placed that acts as a protective barrier during your procedure. We will then suction the applicator to the treatment area and make sure you're comfortable before starting the "freezing".
They will then start the machine which will begin the process of freezing that area. It will take about 7 minutes for the targeted area to go numb. After 35 to 45 minutes, they will remove the vacuum-like apparatus and move it to the next section of skin.
Our Coolsculpting specialist will assess you prior to your procedure to discuss what area you want to treat and the number of cycles and sessions needed to achieve your desired results. This information will help determine the length of your appointments as well as the price of your procedure.
How Long Does It Take to See CoolSculpting Results?
One common misconception about Coolsculpting is that the results are immediate. This is not the case, so don’t rush home to look in the mirror after your appointment. Instead, give the treated area time to calm down and for redness and other side effects to subside. Be aware that swelling and minor inflammation may actually make the targeted area appear larger than before the treatment.
It takes time to break down fat cells and remove them from our body. Patience will be the most important factor when waiting to see your Coolsculpting results. Most individuals will start to notice a difference about three weeks after a session, with results maxing out closer to three to four months.
How Long Does CoolSculpting Results Last?
Coolsculpting does in fact permanently remove fat cells. Over the course of 90 days, these dead fat cells will be excreted through your waste leaving you a 40-50% permanent volume reduction. You will see a minimal reduction beginning at 4 weeks and will continue to improve until you are at your third month.
We recommend that during your recovery process you develop and stick to a balanced diet and regular exercise routine in whatever brings you joy. These healthy habits will make your final result the best possible while maintaining your remaining fat cells that were not destroyed during your treatment.
How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?
In the United States, Coolsculpting procedures can cost anywhere from $750 to $1,500 per scheduled appointment. Two sessions of Coolsculpting are typically required in order to reach your desired end goal. At Advanced Aesthetics, patients can expect to pay around $800 per cycle. We also recognize everyone’s situation is different, that is why we offer customized pricing plans to fit every budget.
We encourage individuals to request a quote to help determine if Coolsculpting is right for them.
How Do I Get Started?
The best way to get started with Coolsculpting is to talk to an expert! Request a free consultation with our Coolsculpting specialist to evaluate your goals, talk about pricing, and get any additional questions you may have answered.
You can also contact us at any time to hear about the other services we offer at our Cleveland location. We are here to help you, so no question is too small!