Stubborn fat in areas like the love handles, back, thighs and abdomen can be particularly challenging to get rid of, even with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. CoolSculpting® has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, thanks to its ability to freeze away those exercise-resistant areas of fat without surgery.
If you still have questions about CoolSculpting, how it works and what to expect, read through these top five FAQs about the procedure.
1. If CoolSculpting Works, Why Can’t Ice?
You may have heard that the technology behind CoolSculpting was discovered by accident when researchers noticed that children were developing dimples in their cheeks from eating cold popsicles — a phenomenon known as popsicle panniculitis.
Never apply ice directly to your skin, as this can cause burns and eventually frostbite.
This begs the question: Can I apply ice to the fatty areas of my body to get rid of them? The answer is no, and this can actually be very dangerous. The CoolSculpting device is able to monitor and control the temperature of the surface of your skin, while still delivering the cool temperatures needed to eliminate underlying fat cells. Thus, the surface of your skin and surrounding tissues are not harmed during this process.
However, simply applying ice to the surface of your skin can result in burns and even frostbite, since there is no way to control the temperature on the skin using this method.
2. Will CoolSculpting Make Me Look Lumpy?
When performed properly by a trained and experienced provider, CoolSculpting should not result in lumps or dimples. However, the procedure is typically followed by a massage of the treated area to minimize any risk of developing an uneven skin texture.
3. Really, Does CoolSculpting Hurt?
Most people who get CoolSculpting report feeling comfortable during the procedure itself, with mild sensations of tingling, pulling, tugging, cold and numbness. In fact, some people doze off during their CoolSculpting treatment.
Afterward, you can expect to feel tender or sore, and the treated area will likely be swollen for the first couple of days. Most people choose to take it easy for the first day or so after CoolSculpting before returning to their normal daily routine. However, there is no set downtime after this procedure, so you can do as much or as little as you feel up to.
4. How Can I Maximize My CoolSculpting Results?
To get optimal results from CoolSculpting, you must be a good candidate for this treatment from the start. The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting will already be at or very close to his or her target weight, as this is not a weight loss procedure.
Secondly, maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits both before and after your treatment will help you to maximize your body contouring results. There is no evidence to show that taking any fat-burning supplements or using other gimmicky weight loss tricks will help.
5. Can I Gain Weight after CoolSculpting?
Yes, it is possible to gain weight after CoolSculpting. However, you may notice that you gain weight differently after CoolSculpting than you might have before. Additional fat may be more evenly distributed throughout the body in the future, rather than tending to accumulate in one or two trouble spots that have been treated with CoolSculpting,
Still, it is important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prolong your CoolSculpting results and maintain a healthy, happy body.
Dr. David Kaufman earned a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with distinction, the highest academic honor. As an active duty naval special warfare officer, he served our nation for four years, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. He then attended Harvard Medical School, receiving his medical doctor degree in 1996. From there, he entered and completed postdoctoral surgical training in a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kaufman’s diverse surgical experience and skill enables him to choose procedures and techniques to best suit each patient. Consider him and his practice, Kaufman Plastic Surgery, if you are looking for a plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area.
