Many people reach a point where healthy eating and regular exercise have helped them lose weight, yet one or two areas of stubborn fat refuse to change.
These areas often include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms or beneath the chin. Having localised pockets of fat does not necessarily mean you need surgery, but it is important to choose a treatment that suits your body and expectations.
CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical body-contouring treatment designed to reduce selected areas of fat using controlled cooling. The treatment is also known as cryolipolysis or fat freezing.
It is not a weight-loss treatment and will not replace a healthy lifestyle. However, it may be an option for people who are close to their preferred weight but have specific areas of fat that have not responded as expected to diet and exercise.
The safest place to begin is with a professional consultation. This allows the treatment area to be assessed and allows you to discuss what you would realistically like to achieve.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting® is a brand of cryolipolysis treatment.
Cryolipolysis uses controlled cooling to target fat cells beneath the skin without incisions or surgery. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperatures than many of the surrounding tissues.
During treatment, the selected area is cooled in a controlled way. The affected fat cells then begin a natural process of cell breakdown. Over the following weeks and months, the body gradually processes and removes some of these cells.
The treatment is intended to improve the shape and contour of a particular area. It is not designed to produce a large reduction in body weight.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
Before treatment begins, your practitioner will assess the area you would like to improve. They will consider the amount and type of fat present, your skin quality and whether the area can be safely treated with the available applicator.
Before placing the applicator on the skin, a layer is applied to protect it. Depending on the treatment area, either tissue is gently pulled into the applicator while controlled cooling is applied.
You are likely to feel a strong cold sensation at first. This often settles as the area becomes numb.
When the treatment cycle is complete, the applicator is removed. The area may then be massaged as part of the treatment protocol.
You will receive aftercare advice before leaving the clinic.
What Happens During a Consultation?
A consultation is an important part of the CoolSculpting process.
Your practitioner will ask which areas are bothering you and what kind of change you are hoping to see. They may also ask about your general health, medication, previous procedures and any conditions that could affect treatment suitability.
The area will then be examined to determine whether the fat is suitable for cryolipolysis.
During the consultation, you should be told:
- Whether the area appears suitable for treatment
- What the procedure involves
- How the area may feel afterwards
- The possible side effects and risks
- How many treatment cycles may be considered?
- When changes may begin to become visible
- What the treatment can and cannot achieve
If CoolSculpting is unlikely to meet your expectations, a responsible practitioner should explain this rather than recommending treatment automatically.
Who Is CoolSculpting Best Suited To?
One of the biggest misconceptions about fat freezing is that it is a form of weight-loss treatment.
It is not.
CoolSculpting is generally intended for adults who are relatively close to their preferred weight but have localised pockets of fat that remain noticeable despite a healthy lifestyle.
It may be considered for areas such as:
- The abdomen
- The flanks or “love handles”
- The inner or outer thighs
- The upper arms
- The back or bra area
- Beneath the chin
- Beneath the buttocks, depending on suitability
Treatment may not be appropriate where the main concern is significant weight loss, loose skin rather than fat, or a medical issue affecting the area.
This is why an individual assessment is essential.
What Can CoolSculpting Achieve?
CoolSculpting is designed to reduce some of the fat within a selected area and create a more defined contour.
It does not tighten every type of loose skin, and it cannot produce the same degree of change as surgical liposuction.
The outcome will depend on several factors, including:
- The size and position of the treatment area
- The thickness of the fat
- Skin quality
- The applicator used
- The number of treatment cycles
- Your individual response
Some people are looking for a modest improvement in one small area. Others may require treatment across several adjoining areas to create a balanced result.
Your consultation should help establish whether your goal is realistic.
When Might You Notice a Difference?
CoolSculpting results develop gradually.
The body needs time to process the affected fat cells, so the treated area will not usually look dramatically different immediately after the appointment.
Some people begin to notice a change over the following weeks, with further development over the next few months.
The speed and degree of improvement vary between individuals. Results cannot be guaranteed, and some areas may require more than one treatment cycle or appointment.
Are the Results Permanent?
Fat cells processed and removed following cryolipolysis do not simply grow back.
However, CoolSculpting does not remove every fat cell from the treated area. The remaining fat cells can still enlarge if you gain weight later.
Maintaining a relatively stable weight through balanced eating and regular movement can therefore help preserve the appearance of the treated area.
The natural ageing process will also continue after treatment.
Does CoolSculpting Help You Lose Weight?
CoolSculpting should not be used as a substitute for weight loss.
You may notice a change in the shape or contour of the treated area, but this does not necessarily result in a significant change on the scales.
If your main aim is to lose a substantial amount of weight, it may be more appropriate to focus on nutrition, physical activity and relevant medical support before considering body-contouring treatment.
CoolSculpting is better suited to improving isolated areas once you are at a reasonably stable weight.
What Does CoolSculpting Feel Like?
People experience the treatment differently.
At the beginning of the treatment cycle, you may feel intense cold, pulling, pressure or mild discomfort from the applicator. The area often becomes numb as cooling continues.
After the applicator is removed, the skin may feel sensitive while the area is massaged.
Some people find the treatment straightforward, while others experience more discomfort. Your practitioner should explain the likely sensations before you agree to proceed.
Is There Any Downtime?
Many people return to their normal routine shortly after treatment.
However, this does not mean that everyone experiences no reaction.
The treated area may temporarily appear red, swollen or bruised. It may also feel numb, tender, firm, itchy or sensitive.
Some sensations can last longer than others, and recovery varies between individuals and treatment areas.
You should follow the aftercare guidance given by your practitioner and contact the clinic if you experience an unexpected, severe or persistent reaction.
Are There Any Risks?
All cosmetic treatments carry possible risks, even when they do not involve surgery.
Possible effects after cryolipolysis can include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Itching
- Sensitivity or discomfort
- Temporary changes in sensation
There are also less common complications that should be explained during your consultation.
One rare complication associated with cryolipolysis is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. This is where the treated area becomes larger and firmer rather than smaller. It does not normally resolve by itself and may require medical or surgical treatment.
A full discussion of benefits, limitations and risks should take place before you consent to treatment.
Is CoolSculpting the Same as Liposuction?
No. CoolSculpting and liposuction are very different procedures.
CoolSculpting uses controlled cooling and does not involve incisions. Results develop gradually, and the amount of fat reduction is generally more modest.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that physically removes fat through small incisions. It can produce a more substantial change, but it also involves anaesthesia, surgical risks and a longer recovery.
Neither treatment is intended to replace weight loss.
The most suitable option will depend on the amount of fat present, the result you want and whether you are willing and medically suitable to undergo surgery.
Why Choose LA LIPO?
At LA LIPO, treatment begins with an individual consultation rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
We will assess the area you would like to improve, listen to your concerns and discuss whether cryolipolysis is likely to be suitable.
If we believe another treatment would be more appropriate, we will explain why. If the area is unlikely to respond in the way you are hoping, we will also discuss this honestly.
Where treatment is suitable, we will explain the process, possible reactions, risks, expected development and likely costs before you decide whether to proceed.
We aim to help you make an informed choice based on realistic expectations.
CoolSculpting Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a CoolSculpting appointment take?
The time required depends on the area being treated, the applicator used, and the number of treatment cycles included in your plan.
Your appointment will also include preparation and aftercare advice. You will be given a clearer estimate during your consultation.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no single treatment plan that suits everyone.
Some people may be satisfied after treating one area, while others may need additional cycles or appointments. This depends on the amount of fat present, the shape of the area and the level of change you hope to achieve.
Is CoolSculpting painful?
You may feel intense cold, pulling, pressure or discomfort when treatment begins. The area often becomes numb as the cooling continues.
Tenderness, tingling or sensitivity can also occur afterwards. Experiences vary between people and treatment areas.
Can CoolSculpting tighten loose skin?
CoolSculpting is primarily designed to reduce localised fat.
Although a fat reduction may improve the overall contour of an area, the treatment is not intended to correct significant loose or hanging skin.
Your practitioner will assess whether fat, skin laxity or a combination of both is causing your concern.
Can I return to work afterwards?
Many people return to work and their usual activities soon after treatment.
However, temporary redness, numbness, tenderness, swelling or bruising may occur. Your practitioner will explain what to expect based on the area being treated.
Can CoolSculpting treat visceral fat?
No. Cryolipolysis is intended to treat suitable fat beneath the skin.
It does not treat visceral fat, which sits deeper inside the abdomen around the internal organs.
Can I have CoolSculpting if I am overweight?
Suitability is not decided by weight alone.
However, CoolSculpting is not designed for significant weight loss. It is generally more appropriate for localised areas of fat when your weight is reasonably stable.
A consultation is needed to assess whether treatment is likely to provide a worthwhile result.
Can CoolSculpting be used after pregnancy?
Treatment should not be carried out during pregnancy.
Following pregnancy, the abdomen may be affected by several issues, including fat, loose skin, muscle separation or a combination of these. A professional assessment is needed to establish what is causing the change and whether cryolipolysis is appropriate.
Are there people who should not have CoolSculpting?
Treatment may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, cold-related disorders, circulation problems, hernias or conditions affecting the proposed treatment area.
You must provide accurate information about your health, medication and previous procedures during your consultation.
How much does CoolSculpting cost?
The cost depends on the size and number of areas being treated and how many treatment cycles are recommended.
Following your assessment, you should receive a clear treatment plan and price before deciding whether to proceed.
Thinking About CoolSculpting?
If you have a localised area of fat that has remained despite healthy eating and regular exercise, CoolSculpting may be worth exploring.
A consultation is the best place to begin. We can assess the area, discuss what you would like to change and explain whether cryolipolysis is likely to be appropriate.
Where treatment is suitable, we will talk you through the procedure, possible risks, expected recovery and realistic outcomes before you make a decision.
To arrange a consultation with LA LIPO, call 03300 100 238.
