CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment that helps reduce pockets of fat on your body that may not respond to diet and exercise. Like similar treatments, the concept of CoolSculpting may sound too good to be true if your goal is to target stubborn fat. But given the popularity of this procedure, it may be worth finding out whether CoolSculpting really does what it promises. Here’s a closer look at how CoolSculpting works, along with what the science reveals about its effectiveness.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting uses a technology called cryolipolysis, also known as “fat freezing.” Cryolipolysis uses extreme cold to freeze fat cells, which causes them to die. Those dead fat cells are then naturally eliminated by your body, and the amount of fat in the treated area is reduced. This cosmetic treatment is shown to reduce stubborn pockets of fat from the following areas of the body in both men and women:
- Under the jawline
- Under the chin
- Upper arms
- Back
- Bra fat
- Flanks
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Under the buttocks
During this procedure, your provider uses a small handheld device that works like a vacuum to target areas of fatty tissue. The treated area is numbed with cold temperatures, and you may feel a cooling sensation.
Each CoolSculpting treatment session takes between one and three hours, based on the areas of your body being treated. Afterward, you can resume your usual activities without any downtime.
Is CoolSculpting Effective?
Fat-reduction treatment with CoolSculpting may result in a 20% to 25% reduction of stubborn fat in the treated area. A number of clinical studies show that CoolSculpting is effective at reducing pockets of excess fat. However, like any other medical treatment, CoolSculpting may not work for everyone.
Below are results of clinical studies in which the effectiveness of CoolSculpting was evaluated:
- In a 2014 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, cryolipolysis was shown to reduce fat at the treatment site by up to 25% after one session, and 85% of participants saw noticeable improvements.
- In a 2016 study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, questionnaires that were sent to patients who received cryolipolysis treatment revealed that 83% were satisfied with their results, 80% would recommend the procedure to a friend, 77% reported visible fat reduction, and 77% felt that their appearance improved following treatment.
- In a 2018 study published in Dermatology Research and Practice, a group of patients received cryolipolysis on their abdomens and flanks and experienced significant reductions in waist measurements at 30 and 60 days after treatment.
- In a 2021 study published in Dermatologic Therapy, patients who received CoolSculpting experienced fat reduction in treated areas by 40%, with the greatest improvements seen after more than three treatment sessions.
What Are the Side Effects of CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting comes with risks and potential side effects like any other medical treatment. Consult with your healthcare provider before receiving CoolSculping treatment so your provider can review your medical history and fully assess all potential risks.
Side effects that may occur with CoolSculpting are usually temporary and may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Blanching
- Bruising
- Firmness
- Tingling
- Stinging
- Tenderness
- Cramping
- Itching
- Aching
- Skin sensitivity
- Sensation of fullness in the back of the throat (after treatment near the neck or jawline)
Who’s an Ideal Candidate for CoolSculpting?
Ideal candidates for CoolSculpting are those who want to reduce small pockets of excess fat in specific areas of the body that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment, and it may not be effective in people with excess weight whose BMIs fall in the obesity range.
CoolSculpting may be an ideal treatment for you if:
- You have realistic expectations about what CoolSculpting treatment can and cannot do.
- You want to reduce small pockets of stubborn fat in one or more areas that can be effectively treated with CoolSculpting.
- You have tried reducing pockets of fat with exercise and good nutrition.
- You do not have cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.
- You are willing to have at least two treatment sessions to achieve your fat-reduction goals.
- You want a noninvasive and nonsurgical treatment for fat reduction.
- You are close to your ideal body weight.
- You understand that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment.
- You understand that CoolSculpting does not produce noticeable results right away.
CoolSculpting is available at many medical day spas and cosmetic treatment centers. If you are considering having this procedure, consult with your primary care provider beforehand to make sure CoolSculpting is safe and ideal for you based on your medical history.
Resource Links
- “How CoolSculpting Works” via CoolSculpting
- “Cryolipolysis for noninvasive body contouring: clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction” via Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology
- “Safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis for non‐invasive reduction of submental fat” via Lasers In Surgery and Medicine
- “Effectiveness and Safety of Contrast Cryolipolysis for Subcutaneous-Fat Reduction” via Dermatology Research and Practice
- “Significant improvement in body contour with multiple cycles of CoolSculpting: Results of a prospective study” via Dermatologic Therapy
- “What To Expect” via CoolSculpting