Does CoolSculpting Work, and Is It Safe?

If you’ve been seeking a fat loss treatment, then you’re likely familiar with CoolSculpting. We turn to the experts to answer “Does CoolSculpting Work?” and “Is CoolSculpting safe?”

CoolSculpting Elite has become a highly sought after treatment throughout the world to help individuals reduce fat. As the #1 leading body contouring treatment, it is FDA cleared for getting rid of stubborn fat from all 9 areas of the body, including the following:

• Submental
• Upper arms
• Bra fat
• Upper flanks
• Lower flanks
• Abdomen
• Inner thighs
• Outer thighs
• Banana roll.

But even if you know many people are seeking out and asking for this treatment, it’s understandable that you might still have questions about its efficacy and safety. 

To help answer the questions, “Does CoolSculpting work?” and “Is CoolSculpting safe?”, among other questions, we turn to Aesthetician and CoolSculpting Specialist, Nicci Pedroni. 

What is CoolSculpting?

Coolsculpting is the number #1 non-invasive & FDA cleared for fat reduction for those stubborn body areas that diet and exercise just don’t seem to get rid of. The treatment safely freezes the small pockets of fat with cryolipolysis delivered through the applicator on the area of treatment.

The applicators to the CoolSculpting Elte device include two applicators that get down to -11 degrees Celsius, which is between 30 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit – the temperature that safely kills the fat cell permanently. 

Pedroni shares, “We target the area by freezing the pockets of fat generally two to three times with 30 days in between each treatment, bringing the client back 90 days after their last treatment for results. CoolSculpting is also FDA-cleared for the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments.” 

A CoolSculpting Elite procedure is not a treatment for weight loss. It does not replace traditional methods such as diet, exercise, or liposuction.

Is CoolSculpting safe?

Cryolipolysis selectively freezes treated fat cells to a specific temperature, damaging the fat cells without causing harm to the surrounding tissue. Over time, the cells that are frozen will be naturally processed and die off.

According to Pedroni, “Treating with Coolsculpting or Coolsculpting Elite is one of safest ways to non-invasively contour the body to get rid of stubborn unwanted fat in all nine FDA cleared treatment areas both for women and men, including submental, chin, upper arms, bra fat, upper flank, lower flank, upper and lower abdomen, inner and outer thighs, banana roll, and knees. To see if you’re a candidate for the CoolSculpting procedure, you can take a handy five-question quiz at their official website.” 

CoolSculpting Elite is safe for people of all skin types, but certain health conditions make you ineligible, such as:

• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (the sudden presence of hemoglobin in the urine).
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Cold agglutinin disease
• Hernias

Finally, we do not recommend Coolsculpting when the patient has the following characteristics:

• Poor blood circulation in the area to be treated. 
• Hernias.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Has a recent surgery, injury, or inflammation on or near the area treatment

What is a CoolSculpting Elite treatment like?

Many people relax, read, work, or even sleep during their CoolSculpting treatment. Sensations during treatment vary from person to person, such as numbness, itchy skin, tingling, and mild cramping for possibly up to 2 to 4  weeks.

“You can usually return to your daily routine and activities, including your job or workout routine, immediately after each session,” Pedroni states, “Some People may notice bruising, redness, pain, tingling and numbness after each session. These side effects are usually temporary  — but they may last for days or even a few weeks. Your treatment provider will go over all signs and contraindications or side effects and reactions away.”

Does CoolSculpting Work and how long does it take to see results?

Yes, CoolSculpting works, with millions of individuals around the globe thrilled with their CoolSculpting results. In fact, in a recent clinical study, 92% of study participants would recommend the treatment to others and 88% would agree to another treatment.

“Typically you can start to notice a difference in the body area in as little as four to six weeks, full results can be expected 90 days after the clients last treatment visit, shares Pedroni, “Personally, I like to set my expectations with my clients all the same by telling them that their countdown to notice a difference starts after their last treatment visit.” 

Pedroni points out that results are permanent and can vary from person to person, results may be seen as early as one to three months after treatment.

People can lose up to 20% to 25% of body fat in the treatment area.

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

Some may think that CoolSculpting Elite is a weight loss treatment, though that’s not the case. It’s actually a fat loss treatment. 

As Pedroni states, “CoolSculpting is not for weight loss. Instead, it’s a fat loss treatment to help people treat stubborn fat that just won’t budge after regularly working out eating well. In my personal experience as a Master Coolsculpting Elite provider being transparent with a realistic treatment plan of what they can expect both physically and timing to see a result.” 

Whether or not this procedure is right for you is something to discuss further with a provider that is well experienced, asking to see before and after photos of similar body types that a practice has treated is a big help to consider treatment to see if the client would like something similar.

To learn more and determine if CoolSculpting is right for you, consider scheduling a consultation with a provider near you.

Nicci Pedroni, Aesthetician, Laser Technician, CoolSculpting Specialist

Nicci Pedroni is a Houston-based Aesthetician, Laser Technician, and Body Contouring Specialist. She has extensive experience working with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that include top-of-the-line aesthetic treatments, such as DiamondGlow™, SkinPen, BBL, CoolSculpting ELITE, CoolTone, Ultherapy, Chemical Peels, and more. Learn more about Nicci and the team of professionals she works with at DermaTouch RN.