The Ultimate Guide to CoolSculpting: How It Works and What to Expect

Like many other popular treatment options for getting rid of unwanted fat, CoolSculpting has found itself caught in the crossfire when it comes to myths and misunderstandings.

Rest assured, our team at Advanced Aesthetics of Las Vegas, NV, is here to debunk the myths and de-jargonize the overly technical explanations so that you can have a clearly informed understanding of CoolSculpting, allowing you to decide for yourself whether to move forward with the treatment or not.

This all-in-one overview of CoolSculpting will explain how the body contouring procedure works (including what it’s like from the patient’s perspective), how it stacks up against similar treatments, what you can expect in terms of results, and much more.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

In simplest terms, CoolSculpting is a body contouring treatment that uses cold temperatures to kill fat cells via a process known as cryolipolysis—“cryo” for cold, “lipo” for fat, “lysis” for loosening or dissolving. Because fat cells are more sensitive to low temperatures than the surrounding tissues, they can be safely and effectively broken down by controlled cooling.

CoolSculpting is not a weight loss method for dropping tens of pounds, but it does effectively reduce pockets of stubborn fat that respond poorly to exercise and diet. These areas include, but are not limited to:

• Love handles
• Upper arms
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Abdominal fat

During a CoolSculpting session, the provider uses an applicator cooled by constantly circulating coolant, ensuring that the treatment area is cooled to a precise temperature for the duration of this non-surgical fat treatment. The coolant keeps the cooling plate — the part that directly contacts the skin — at the desired temperature. 

Sorry, DIYers, but no ice pack is going to stay cold enough for long enough to make this treatment work at home. But thankfully, CoolSculpting is a completely non-surgical fat treatment for targeting those stubborn areas, which is why many people are continuing to flock to it as an alternative to liposuction.

What Is the Procedure Actually Like?

As with most aesthetic treatments, there are a few popular variations of CoolSculpting floating around, but generally, your provider will start by covering the area to be treated with a gel pad. Once the pad is in place, the provider will apply the handpiece (many say it looks like a vacuum cleaner nozzle) to the treatment area. 

The applicator will stay in place to apply cold consistently throughout the treatment area, and you may feel a pulling sensation as the applicator uses suction to make the fatty tissue more accessible. The majority of clients report little to no discomfort throughout this process, often reporting squeezing and pulling sensations. 

In most cases, the provider will then massage the treated area for several minutes to facilitate the breaking up of deeper clumps of frozen tissue. 

Treatment duration can vary significantly depending on the area to be treated and other factors, ranging from slightly less than an hour to as long as roughly three hours. Afterward, you have little to contend with in terms of discomfort or other symptoms. Some people report intermittent swelling and numbness over a period of several days. 

What Results Can You Expect? 

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that the body needs time to eliminate the dead fat cells after CoolSculpting body contouring treatment; your initial results are rarely reflective of the complete picture. This process can take weeks or months, over which time you will likely notice gradual improvements in the contouring of the treated area. 

Since CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment, and because each person’s case will vary considerably based on treatment location, amount of fat, and so on, there’s no universal way to quantify your results. You are the best person to assess the results visually. 

That said, CoolSculpting is one of the most popular sculpting methods out there for a reason – it is consistently effective at eliminating stubborn pockets of fat. If you notice a significant fat reduction after one session, but would like to tone down the area some more after results stabilize, you’re welcome to set up another CoolSculpting session and keep going.

Aftercare Tips

The myth that the fat cells somehow return after CoolSculpting has been sufficiently busted, but obviously, if your diet and exercise habits decline following this non-surgical fat treatment, the remaining fat cells can expand in response to weight gain.

Point being, exercise and diet are lifelong maintenance items if you want to keep that area looking toned after this body contouring treatment (and hey, there are a bazillion other reasons we should all be exercising and eating right!). 

Along those lines, staying well-hydrated both immediately after and in the months following your treatment will help your lymphatic system drain those dead fat cells more efficiently. As for handling the skin, gentle massage can also facilitate the disposal of fat cells. 

Achieve Your Dream Body With CoolSculpting by Advanced Aesthetics of Las Vegas, NV

Ready to get the upper hand in your personal vendetta against that stubborn spot you’ve been eyeing for years? Contact our highly experienced team of board-certified plastic surgeons, nurses, injectors, and other aesthetics pros for a superior CoolSculpting treatment.

As your provider, we tailor each service around your visions of a renewed self to deliver the results you’re looking for. 

Contact Advanced Aesthetics of Las Vegas, NV, today for a consultation, and we’ll join forces to create the ultimate CoolSculpting treatment plan!