GirlyGymRat turned me on to this information. I was unaware of it until she mentioned it to me!
How does CoolSculpting work?
Fat tissue is more sensitive to cold than other tissues. Exposing fat cells to extreme cold for a certain time period can kill fat cells, thus reducing the thickness of fat under the skin. The fat cells that are destroyed by CoolSculpting are not replaced with new fat cells.
Is CoolSculpting safe?
CoolSculpting is safe because the treated region is carefully monitored for precise temperature. Extensive testing has shown that cooling only damages fat cells, and other tissues at the treatment site are not affected. The dead fat cells are swept away and discarded by the body's normal metabolic processes.
What is a CoolSculpting treatment like?
CoolSculpting requires no incisions, needles or anesthesia. Since cooling is a superb way to produce skin numbness, CoolSculpting provides is own anesthetic by numbing the skin as it cools. The CoolSculpting device utilizes a suction cup that uses a constant vacuum to suck in a fold of fat. Each fold of fat is cooled for a 60-minute cycle. During the treatment, you can relax, read, use a computer, or watch a movie while the CoolSculpting device gently cools your treatment area.
CoolSculpting Results
You may wish to browse through this gallery of representative before and after photos of CoolSculpting treatment results.
When will I see treatment results?
Results following a CoolSculpting treatment take a few weeks to evolve. In most patients, a noticeable and measurable result is fully developed 2-4 months after treatment.
Which regions are suited for a CoolSculpting procedure?
CoolSculpting is ideal for isolated fatty regions of the abdomen (tummy), flanks (love handles) and back roll (muffin top). Patients who are close to their ideal body weights, but have problem areas of excess fat, are excellent candidates for the CoolSculpting procedure.
I have loose abdominal skin, am I a CoolSculpting candidate?
CoolSculpting will not tighten loose folds of skin. Regions of excess skin along the abdomen and flanks are best treated with techniques that allow removal of skin, such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or non-surgical treatments such as Thermage.
I have a significant amount of body fat, am I a good CoolSculpting candidate?
The CoolSculpting procedure is intended for patients with mild to moderate fatty deposits. For patients with more significant fatty deposits, surgical techniques such as liposuction are much more effective.
What is the recovery process for the CoolSculpting procedure?
Treatments with CoolSculpting take 60 minutes per treatment cycle. Since no sedation or anesthesia is required for the CoolSculpting procedure, patients can drive themselves home on the day of the procedure. There is no 'down time' associated with the procedure. Patients can return to work immediately. No compression garment is needed after the CoolSculpting procedure. Patients are able to resume their exercise routines immediately after the CoolSculpting treatment.