What to Expect

While some other treatments may require surgery and downtime for recovery, CoolSculpting targets clumps of fat cells close to the surface. The technology cools the target area, causing the fat cells to freeze and begin degrading while the other tissues, including your skin and blood vessels, remain healthy and unaffected.

In each session, multiple areas can be treated simultaneously, such as the submental area (neck and chin), upper arms, abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, banana roll, bra fat, and knee area.

Clinical studies have shown that CoolSculpting can reduce the amount of fat in treated areas by up to 25% after a single treatment session. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these dead fat cells, leading to a reduction in the volume of fat in the treated area. Treated fat cells are permanently destroyed and eliminated by the body.

The procedure is relatively quick and painless, and recovery is hassle-free. The procedure typically takes around one hour per area treated, and most people can return to their normal activities immediately after the treatment. While some people may experience some mild discomfort during the treatment, it’s generally considered to be a relatively painless procedure. The most common side effects include temporary numbness, redness, and swelling in the treated area, which typically resolves within a few days.

Medical Review: This procedural information has been medically reviewed by plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Brian A. Cripe, M.D.