CoolSculpting Fat Removal

How does CoolSculpting work?

CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis, also known as “fat freezing”. Basically, during cryolipolysis, the fat cells in the treated area are crystalized (frozen) to the point where they are damaged and die – a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Then, your white blood cells consume the affected cells so they can be filtered and processed by the body. Over time, your body will excrete crystalized fat through the urine, about half the size of a french fry each day.

Is CoolSculpting right for you?

CoolSculpting by Allergan is a fat-reduction treatment for men and women who want to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat in certain areas of their body. CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure. CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical alternative to fat reduction that has little to no downtime.

What results can you expect from CoolSculpting treatment?

Results from your CoolSculpting treatment include a 20-25% reduction in your body’s fat cells, which is a permanent result. You’ll start to see changes as soon as 4-6 weeks after your treatment. Final results may take up to 6 months. Results can vary from patient to patient.

Does CoolSculpting hurt?

You may feel discomfort during the procedure, it’s similar to holding an ice pack on your skin for a longer than normal period. It’s possible to feel pain from the numbness caused by the cooling sensations from the freezing applicator used during the procedure. You may also feel slight pinching and pulling sensations as the fat cells are frozen and pulled out. Such effects may last between 5 and 10 minutes.

What is the science behind CoolSculpting?

The development of CoolSculpting comes from the clinical observation of cold-induced panniculitis. In 1970, scientists, Epstein and Oren coined the term popsicle panniculitis after reporting transient fat necrosis in the cheek of an infant who had been sucking on a popsicle.  Initially described in infants, cold-induced panniculitis has also been observed in adult patients. These observations led to the concept that lipid-rich tissues are more susceptible to cold injury than the surrounding water-rich tissue.

How long does the procedure last?

The treatment typically takes as little as 35 minutes per treatment area, but the procedure time can increase if more treatment areas are involved.

How much does CoolSculpting cost?

That all depends on what areas you treat and how many treatments you have. Many patients choose to do CoolSculpting on multiple areas to reach their ideal end result. Typically, CoolSculpting will cost anywhere between $500-$5,000 for a personalized treatment plan. However, pricing may vary from patient to patient.

Is CoolSculpting safe?

CoolSculpting has been cleared by the FDA to effectively treat nine different areas of the body. Clinical trials have demonstrated CoolSculpting to be safe and effective in reducing fat in certain areas.

Where does the fat go after treatment?

After your treatment, your liver naturally processes, metabolizes and eliminates the dead fat cells over time. In the process of fat cell elimination, your body will excrete the broken down fat cells in a crystal form through the urine. Your body will excrete about half a french fry’s worth of microscopic fat cell crystals each day.

What happens if you gain weight after CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting helps eliminate stubborn pockets of fat. But, since CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment, it is possible to gain weight post-treatment if you don’t keep up your healthy habits. However, after your CoolSculpting treatment, you will lose 20-25% of your body’s fat cells, which means it will take a substantial amount of weight gain to notice an increase in size in your treated areas.

What areas can be treated with CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll) and upper arm.

Are there any side effects with CoolSculpting?

Typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity in the areas treated. Also, sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment can occur. Rare side effects may also occur. Paradoxical hyperplasia (visibly enlarged tissue volume in the treated area) may develop two to five months after treatment and requires surgical intervention for correction.

CoolSculpting specials in Portland

We provide a $50 gift card for all our NEW patients! For our existing patients, we have an amazing reward program that includes custom savings during each visit. We love spoiling our clients!

Have questions?

Call our office in Portland, OR at 503.303.8313 or text 831.777.5279. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about CoolSculpting and schedule an appointment.