CoolSculpting is a cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce fat in a body part by freezing it. The idea is that by exposing the fat in designated areas to frigid temperatures, the treatment can target fat cells and help us sculpt our body to the desired look. The underlying process, called cryolipolysis, uses extreme cold temperatures to freeze and kill fat cells from the exterior of the body without damaging underlying tissue. It is 100 percent noninvasive, which means reduced risks, limited side effects, and no recovery time. Later the body flushes the dead fat cells out naturally, and the results start to kick in.
Preparing for a CoolSculpting Session
The better shape you come into CoolSculpting treatments, the less fat that needs to be removed, and more sculpting that can be done.
Potential patients should start to incorporate clean or healthy eating habits and a regular dose of exercise about two full months before the procedure. After the procedure, if you want the results to be long-lasting, then you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well.
- Come relaxed and wear loose, comfortable clothes, as after the procedure you may have to contend with some discomfort in the treated area. Regarding underwear, you should wear a disposable pair you would not mind if ruined, as staining could occur.
- Eat a light meal about 90 minutes before the session, but please refrain from consuming beverages or caffeine the day of CoolSculpting.
- RELAX. Again, during the treatment, you should try to relax, as you cannot move around through the duration of the session. Try to take a nap, or bring in your headphones and listen to some soothing music.
What To Expect During a CoolSculpting Session
When the practitioner places the applicators on the treated body part, the first couple of minutes may feel a bit uncomfortable as the suctioning and cooling begins. Such pain only lasts a brief moment before the region goes numb thanks to the cold. After the numbing kicks in, the rest of the process becomes virtually painless, and the suctioning should stop feeling uncomfortable. Once the practitioner removes the applicators, the doctor will massage the targeted area to break down treated fat cells and facilitate their expulsion from the body. That area may feel tight or tingly for a while, but after the massage, discomfort should begin to subside.
What Happens After CoolSculpting
Most patients have slight tightness and numbness after the procedure; in some instances, itching and redness in the treated area can occur. A few months after the session, you will notice a drastic reduction in fat, which means that the body flushed it out efficiently.
The more times you have CoolSculpting done in one area, the more dramatic the results will appear. As mentioned before, the patient must adopt a healthy lifestyle for the best results. If the patient gains significant weight, the treated area will remain the same, but the new fat will have to find new deposits in which to settle, which can produce body disfiguring.
Overall, the most significant benefit of CoolSculpting is that right after the procedure, the patient can resume their daily activities with a minimal recovery period.