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Does CoolSculpting Really Work?

Dec 30, 2021
Diet culture is something we hear a lot about these days, and new tricks and trends always seem to be popping up. We’ve all been informed that the key to maintaining a healthy weight involves regular exercise and a well-balanced and nutritional diet.

Diet culture is something we hear a lot about these days, and new tricks and trends always seem to be popping up. We’ve all been informed that the key to maintaining a healthy weight involves regular exercise and a well-balanced and nutritional diet. But what do we do when we’ve been eating well and getting plenty of exercise yet still have stubborn pockets of fat that we just cannot get rid of?

Did you know that every year, around 45 million Americans go on a diet to try to lose weight? Extreme diets, restrictive eating, and even plastic surgery are some things that people turn to when they’re not reaching their goals, but these options aren’t always a safe or sustainable way to lose weight. It can be incredibly frustrating when we can’t get rid of fat, especially when we’ve seemingly tried everything.

Maybe you’ve regularly dieted and exercised your whole life, or perhaps you’re just now dipping your toes into the health and wellness pool. If you’re curious about how to get rid of stubborn fat, CoolSculpting might be the best option for you. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about CoolSculpting.

What Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a non-invasive, FDA-approved outpatient medical procedure that destroys fat cells just below the surface of your skin using cold temperatures. (“Cryo” means cold, “lipo” means fat, and “lysis” means destruction.) Fat cells can freeze at significantly higher temperature than your body’s other cells, and the procedure targets specific areas of your physique that are harder to slim down. CoolSculpting is the brand of the medical device used during the treatment, but the phrase has also become synonymous with the procedure itself.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

During the procedure, a technician places the CoolSculpting applicator on the targeted area for one hour. Fat cells in your body freeze at 53° F, while your skin and muscle don’t freeze until 32° F. The applicator cools the targeted area to just under 53° F so it can safely freeze fat cells without freezing or damaging any other cells in your body. Once the hour is over, the technician massages the area to advance the damage to the fat cells. The damaged fat cells are then processed out of your body through your lymphatic system.

What Can I Expect with CoolSculpting — Before and After?

Before CoolSculpting, we recommend that you:

  • Stop medications like blood thinners, fish oil, and St. John’s wort.
  • Avoid damaging the skin in the area that will be targeted.
  • Avoid tanning.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and sleep schedule because a healthy body heals faster.

During the procedure, you’ll feel cold, slight pulling and tugging, aching, cramping, and mild discomfort. It’s not painful, but it can be uncomfortable. After the procedure, the targeted area might become temporarily red, swollen, bruised, tender, itchy, and firm, all of which will subside within a few days. There is no downtime involved with CoolSculpting, and you can go about your daily routine immediately after the procedure.

What Areas Can Be Treated with CoolSculpting?

The areas of your body that can be targeted with CoolSculpting include:

  • Flanks (also referred to as love handles or muffin top).
  • Stomach/abdomen.
  • Thighs.
  • Bra/backfat.
  • Upper arms.
  • Bellow the buttocks.
  • Submandibular/under the chin (also referred to as double-chin).

How Soon Until I Can See CoolSculpting Results?

CoolSculpting results can take up to six months to see, but it varies from person to person. Once the fat cells are frozen and damaged, your lymphatic system naturally removes them from the body as waste. The process begins immediately, but the results are delayed, which causes a gradual reduction in fat. After six months, you can expect your CoolSculpting results to peak; you’ll observe a 25% reduction in fat cells and the targeted area looking 25% thinner.

One of the perks of CoolSculpting is the gradual nature of your CoolSculpting results. The process coincides with how quickly you can expect to lose fat with diet and exercise, so no one will know you received CoolSculpting unless you want them to.

How Many CoolSculpting Treatments Do I Need?

We typically recommend just two sessions per area! Sometimes a third session is recommended if the fat is particularly stubborn.

CoolSculpting really does work and is an amazing way to reach your goals and see results without undergoing an invasive procedure. If you’re searching for “CoolSculpting near me,” contact Colorado Skin & Vein for a free consultation. We are a CoolSculpting certified practice recognized by the manufacturers of CoolSculpting. Make sure to check out our website for inspiring CoolSculpting before and after photos, too!

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