CoolSculpting® is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental
(under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll)
and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with
submental area treatments.
The applicator will be placed on the treatment area and there will be a slight sucking
sensation as it adheres to your body, followed by that signature cooling effect. During
the procedure you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching,
intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These
sensations subside as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side
effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling,
stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of
fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment.
Each CoolSculpting® treatment is different, so it depends on which areas of the body
and how many of them you plan on doing. Depending on the area, treatment can be
done in as little as 35 minutes. The CoolSmooth applicator is discontinued, however
some practices may still use it. If you opt to do multiple treatments in a session, expect
to spend more time. Some providers have multiple CoolSculpting® machines, allowing
patients to do multiple treatment areas at once, reducing the amount of time spent in
office.
You’ll start to see changes as soon as 1-3 months post-treatment. Final results may
take 6 months or more.
The CoolSculpting® treatment is not for everyone. You should not have it done if you
suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. The CoolSculpting® procedure is not a weight loss treatment.
