What Is CoolSculpting?

Updated March 30, 2024

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive and non-surgical fat reduction procedure to contour problem body areas with unwanted fat. This patented technology, approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012, uses no needles. CoolSculpting is a safe and effective method available at our medical spa in Issaquah, WA, to achieve fat reduction for men and women who want to discover the body they have always dreamt about. While it’s true that patients will lose fat cells, CoolSculpting treatment is not a weight loss treatment or a remedy for obesity.

Developed by Harvard University scientists, each CoolSculpting treatment uses controlled cooling instead of suction to destroy fat cells. Scientists discovered the connection between cold temperatures and fat loss by observing that children eating popsicles would also get dimples. They concluded that popsicles had frozen and eliminated small pockets of fat cells in the children’s faces.

CoolSculpting takes this idea and targets different areas of the body to help eliminate specific fat cells while not causing damage to other tissues. CoolSculpting treatments use precise, controlled application of cold temperatures to freeze stubborn fat. Once the cells in the targeted area are frozen, they crystalize and die. Your body naturally eliminates these dead fat cells, leaving a more sculpted appearance.

HOW COOLSCULPTING WORKS

As a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that is a primary alternative to liposuction, CoolSculpting is a cryolipolysis treatment that uses a special applicator placed on areas where body contouring is desired. Low temperature is applied to the fatty tissue via thermal conduction. To prevent frostbite, a specific temperature level and exposure are determined, such as 35 minutes at 23 degrees Fahrenheit., or -5 degrees Celsius. When excess fat is cooled below body temperature but above freezing, the fat crystallizes, resulting in destroyed fat cells. When the body eliminates these fat cells through normal processes, it’s gone for good, as your body will not produce new fat cells in the area.

Criolipolysis is one of the world's most popular fat-loss methods, with more than 450,000 procedures performed. It's ideal for removing stubborn fat that persists even with diet and exercise. Criolipolysis treatment is also used to remove lipomas, which are benign fatty tissue tumors.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE?

CoolSculpting doesn't require you to be put under anesthetic, prodded with needles, or be required to take any painkiller to make it through the procedure. A gel pad applicator is applied to the target area (or areas) and left for a set period to do its work. You can easily nap, read a book or scroll through your phone during the procedure. If this sounds low-key and “chill”—that’s because it is! No wonder that so many people prefer it. Patients feel intense cold for the first few minutes, but it dissipates quickly. Other patients feel a tugging or pulling sensation, mild pinching, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment area.

SIDE EFFECTS OF COOLSCULPTING

Side effects of the CoolSculpting procedures vary by patient and generally resolve within days or weeks. There is no damage to the skin as it will only kill fat cells beneath the skin's surface. Little to no downtime is involved. Little to no recovery time is involved with the CoolSculpting process, and patients can resume normal activities immediately. Treatment doesn’t have to disrupt your workweek; you have too much to do as it is! Sessions generally last 15 to 60 minutes, so you can squeeze them in whenever an appointment works best for your routine.

WEIGHT AND FAT CELLS

The number of fat cells in the human body typically becomes fixed by age 20. The body constantly processes dead cells, replacing them with new ones. When a person becomes overweight, these same fat cells become enlarged. When a person loses weight, the same fat cells become smaller but do not disappear. With CoolSculpting, fat cells die and are eliminated by the body. CoolSculpting is primarily applicable to limited areas of fatty bulges. When you undergo body contouring to eliminate bulges, it mimics the illusion of weight loss because your clothes fit better. In reality, what you have lost are fat cells. The main body areas of the body that respond well to CoolSculpting are the abdomen, flank (also called muffin top or love handles), inner and outer thigh areas, chin, and upper arms. Stubborn belly fat is the most frequent complaint of patients.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR COOLSCULPTING?

CoolSculpting fat reduction is performed by specialists who undergo in-depth training and certification. It is always performed in a medical office under the supervision of a licensed professional to the highest standards of care. Certain individuals who suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria assure the high should not receive CoolSculpting. Other conditions may also preclude you from receiving this non-invasive procedure. You should consult your certified specialist before undergoing CoolSculpting to remove excess fat.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

CoolSculpting is meant to be used as a progressive cosmetic procedure in tandem with other weight loss practices, such as living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise. You may see results as early as three weeks after your first treatment. Body type and other factors play into how soon the results will show. It’s essential to recognize that CoolSculpting works best as a series of treatments instead of a singular treatment. Most patients start noticing physical differences after eight weeks to notice physical changes, and the most dramatic changes occur after three months. After each treatment, you'll lose about 25% of the fat in the treated area.

SCHEDULING A COOLSCULPTING CONSULTATION

To get the CoolSculpting procedure, you must meet with a certified technician and a doctor to discuss your body contour goals, concerns, and options in detail. When you meet with VIVAA's medical professionals, you'll learn more about CoolSculpting and our other treatment options. We are committed to a holistic approach to help you reach your physical goals. We will discuss the problem areas you want to prioritize for fat reduction and provide a personalized treatment plan indicating how many sessions you may need. A consultation is by no means an agreement to receive treatment, either! It’s simply an opportunity to learn more about how to reach your aesthetic and health goals.

If you’d like to learn more about incorporating non-invasive CoolSculpting into your dieting and body sculpting routine, contact the VIVAA med spa team in the Seattle area to learn how our certified medical professionals can help! Call us today at 425-250-9999.