Key Takeaways
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CoolSculpting permanently reduces the number of fat cells in the treated area, and your body gradually clears those cells after treatment, so they do not come back.
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Results can last long term, but CoolSculpting doesn’t “lock in” your weight, so future weight gain can enlarge remaining fat cells and soften the definition you achieved.
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The treatment is designed for body contouring, not weight loss, which means you can see visible shape changes even if the scale doesn’t move much.
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Appointments are typically about 35 to 60 minutes per area, and most patients see the biggest contour changes in one to three months, with fuller results around three to four months.
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CoolSculpting can target common stubborn zones like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back and bra fat, underarms, buttocks, and under the chin, and some areas may need more than one cycle to match your goal.
For the majority of women, the effects of aging, pregnancy and heredity will have their way when it comes to developing areas of unwanted fat. Diet and exercise may help, but for many people, specific regions of the body just won’t let go of fatty deposits. CoolSculpting can make those troublesome areas go away!
As one of the newest body contouring technologies, CoolSculpting’s effects are not temporary. Once an area has been treated, those fat cells are gone. Contact Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help you achieve the body you desire or keep reading to see how CoolSculpting delivers long-lasting results.*
The Science Behind CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting uses a technology that’s based on the science of cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis involves using controlled cooling to destroy fat cells beneath the skin, which are more vulnerable to cold than surrounding tissue. CoolSculpting adapts this technology for body contouring purposes.
Once fat cells die off, the body eliminates them naturally in the same way it eliminates any other type of dead cell material. CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to target stubborn areas. Since the procedure doesn’t require surgery, you can have it done right in Dermacare’s Carlsbad or Rancho Bernardo office.
CoolSculpting Gets Rid of Fat Cells for Good
The CoolSculpting device is designed to accommodate the areas of the body most prone to storing fat. It also has a smaller handpiece that’s used to target areas of fat beneath the chin. Overall, CoolSculpting can target these areas of the body:
- Flanks (sides of the body between the rib cage and the hip bone)
- Thighs
- Areas of fat around the bustline
- Areas of fat on the back
- Underarm fat
- Buttocks
- Stomach
CoolSculpting delivers very long-lasting results based on its ability to destroy existing fat cells. Once fat cells die off, they’re gone for good. This means areas that undergo a CoolSculpting procedure will have fewer fat cells forever!
Are CoolSculpting’s Results Really Permanent?
CoolSculpting is designed to permanently reduce the number of fat cells in the treated area. After treatment, your body gradually clears the affected fat cells, and those specific cells do not come back.
That said, CoolSculpting doesn’t “lock in” your weight forever. If your weight changes later, remaining fat cells in your body can enlarge, and new fat can develop over time, which may change your overall contours. Many patients see the longest-lasting results when they maintain a stable weight and healthy habits.
How Much Fat Reduction Can You Expect?
CoolSculpting is a body contouring treatment, not a weight-loss solution. The goal is to reduce the look of a stubborn bulge and improve shape in specific areas, even if the scale doesn’t move much.
Most patients see gradual, natural-looking changes, and some choose more than one treatment cycle per area to reach their goal. During your consultation, we’ll map your target areas, talk through what “noticeable” means for your frame, and build a plan that matches the result you’re looking for.
What Happens If You Gain Weight After CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting can permanently reduce fat cells in the treated area, which is why results can last. Even so, your body can still store fat in the future. If your weight increases, remaining fat cells can enlarge, and fat can develop in other areas, which may soften the definition you gained from treatment.
The simplest way to protect your outcome is to treat CoolSculpting as a contouring “reset,” then maintain it with steady habits. If your weight stays relatively stable, many patients keep their results long term and enjoy a more sculpted look in the areas that were treated.
What’s Involved With a CoolSculpting Procedure?
A CoolSculpting procedure uses cooling panels that envelope targeted areas of fat. Since fat freezes at higher temperatures than skin, blood vessels and nerves, the freezing effects of CoolSculpting won’t harm surrounding structures. The device delivers controlled cooling that gently freezes fat cells beneath the skin.
During the procedure, you’ll likely experience a tugging sensation. This is because the cooling panels wrap around the areas being treated. Many people attend to sit-down tasks, such as reading or checking emails while the treatment is underway, so there’s little to no discomfort to worry about during your procedure.
Treatment time varies by area and applicator, and many appointments last about 35 to 60 minutes per area. The abdomen is considered one area. Larger areas, such as flanks, would qualify as two treatment areas, and some areas may require more than one cycle to match your goal. As the body continues to flush out the dead fat cells, you’ll see ongoing improvement with optimal results showing in three to four months.
When You’ll See CoolSculpting Results
CoolSculpting results build over time as the body processes the treated fat cells. A typical timeline looks like this:
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First few weeks: Early changes may start to appear as swelling resolves and the body begins clearing treated cells.
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One to three months: You’ll usually see the most noticeable contour change during this window.
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Three to four months: Many patients reach their final look around this point, though timing can vary by area and treatment plan.
At Dermacare, whether you visit our Carlsbad or Rancho Bernardo offices, your CoolSculpting treatment will be performed only by staff members who are certified CoolSculpting® technicians, so you will be able to get expert care that’s tailored to you to ensure quality results. Your safety and overall comfort throughout the procedure are our priorities.
Am I a Good Candidate for CoolSculpting?
If you’ve been dieting and exercising, and still can’t get rid of unwanted fat like love handles or that abdominal pooch, you’re probably a good candidate for CoolSculpting. As anyone can develop areas of unwanted fat, CoolSculpting works for both women and men. Since the procedure is designed to sculpt and contour the body, it doesn’t work well as a weight loss solution, but is perfect for people at a stable weight who just want a little help with those small stubborn spots.
If you’re committed to maintaining a healthy weight, no further weight gain will develop in the treated areas. Other factors that make you a good candidate for CoolSculpting include:
- You’re in good health
- You want to eliminate specific areas of fat, such as on the legs or arms
- Your skin still retains its tone and elasticity
There are still certain conditions that don’t respond well to CoolSculpting. These include:
- Obesity
- Excess scarring in the area you want to be treated
- Poor skin elasticity
- Skin problems, such as eczema and dermatitis
Customized Treatment Planning
The body contouring effects of CoolSculpting make it easy to target stubborn areas and finally get the look you want. Dr. Birchall will spend time with you to identify your goals and lay out a treatment plan that works for you. While you can get one area done at a time, you also have the option of getting several areas done in one office visit. You’ll spend more time in our office for that session, but you won’t need to schedule subsequent appointments to reach your full aesthetic goals.
Something else to keep in mind is that you can combine CoolSculpting with one of our other body contouring treatments, such as skin tightening. If you’ve lost a substantial amount of weight or you are coming off a pregnancy, excess skin folds may be an issue. A skin tightening procedure can put the finishing touch on an area that’s been treated with CoolSculpting. We here at Dermacare can put together a treatment plan that helps you get the look you want.
Potential Side Effects
CoolSculpting is non-surgical, and most patients return to normal activities right away. However, as with most medical treatments, CoolSculpting may cause a side effect or two. Some patients experience swelling and soreness around the treatment sites after their treatment. However, the discomfort should not be significant enough to keep you from your daily activities. Most side effects will subside within a week or two.
Potential side effects to watch for include:
- Mild pain at the treatment site
- Slight stinging
- Possible redness or swelling
- Slight bruising
- Sensitive areas of the skin
Due to these side effects and because CoolSculpting isn’t right for everyone, your consultation is essential before beginning treatment. We’ll review your goals, your skin and tissue quality, and your medical history, including any cold-related conditions, to confirm treatment is appropriate.
There is also a rare but important risk called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated area becomes firmer or larger instead of smaller. While uncommon, it’s one reason it’s important to choose an experienced practice and to follow up if you notice unexpected changes in the months after treatment.
FAQs
Is CoolSculpting permanent?
Destroyed fat cells in treated areas don’t return, but future weight changes can still affect your shape and how results look over time.
If you maintain a stable weight, most people treat the contour change as long-lasting. If weight increases, remaining fat cells can enlarge, and fat can build up in untreated areas.
Can fat come back in the treated area?
Treated fat cells are gone, but weight gain can still add fullness as remaining fat cells enlarge or fat accumulates elsewhere.
This is why many providers describe results as “permanent with maintenance,” especially for patients whose weight fluctuates.
Will CoolSculpting help me lose weight?
CoolSculpting is intended for visible fat bulges and contouring, not weight loss, so the scale often changes less than body shape.
It can be a great fit for stubborn pockets that resist diet and exercise when you’re already close to your goal weight.
How much fat does CoolSculpting remove per session?
Many sources cite a 10%-25% reduction in the treated area per session, depending on the area and patient factors.
Your plan can include more than one cycle per area if your goals call for a bigger change.
When will I see results?
Some people notice changes within weeks, with continued improvement as the body clears treated fat cells over several months. A simple expectation to share is “gradual changes, with fuller results around a few months.”
How many sessions will I need?
Many patients need more than one cycle per area, and additional treatments are often spaced about four weeks apart.
A consult should map your goals by area, then translate that into cycles and timing.
What areas can CoolSculpting treat?
CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for areas that include under the chin and jawline, abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, bra fat, back fat, and underneath the buttocks.
Is CoolSculpting safe?
CoolSculpting is widely used and FDA-cleared for specific indications, and most side effects are temporary, like soreness, swelling, or numbness. A consult should also review medical history to confirm it’s appropriate for you.
What is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia?
It’s a rare complication where tissue in the treated area becomes enlarged instead of reduced, often months after treatment.
Because it generally does not resolve on its own, correction may require surgical treatment in some cases.
Who should not get CoolSculpting?
People with certain cold-related medical conditions should not be treated, and a provider should screen for relevant history before proceeding.
Call to Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering CoolSculpting in San Diego or have questions about other body contouring treatment options, Dermacare can help.
Learn more about our CoolSculpting services, and call Dermacare to set up a one-on-one consult today. Say goodbye to those stubborn areas of unwanted fat and enjoy a leaner, sculpted body profile.
*Individual results may vary.