CoolSculpting, Non-Invasive Fat Freezing, Cryolipolysis, Body Contouring & Fat Removal

When you arrive for your session, your CoolSculpting expert at Art of Skin MD will mark the area(s) of treatment.  A gel sheet is applied to the skin and then the CoolSculpting treatment applicator is applied. A gentle vacuum pressure sensation is experienced as the CoolSculpting device hugs the skin on the area to be treated.

During the first several minutes into a treatment cycle, CoolSculpting provides a sensation similar to that of an ice cube on the skin. Then, the skin nerves become numb and treatment is comfortable. A cold sensation may be perceptible from time to time during the treatment session. After your treatment cycle, the skin is massaged for 3 minutes.

Shortly following the massage, a feeling of pins and needles or a mild-to-moderate stinging sensation may occur for several minutes but completely subsides. Typically speaking, a CoolSculpting treatment is easily tolerated by the vast majority of patients with no downtime and immediate return to daily activities.

Multiple clinical studies have shown that a single treatment session of CoolSculpting leads to approximately 20-25% fat cell destruction in the area of treatment. For most patients, two treatment sessions are recommended for a pleasing and noticeable outcome.

Very little preparation is required prior to treatment.  No true restrictions in behavior or daily activities are required prior to CoolSculpting.  Patients may enjoy a meal or beverage prior to treatment.

CoolSculpting patients may consider bringing something to read during their session or simply relax and take a nap. Art of Skin MD offers in-room movies and entertainment for patients to enjoy during CoolSculpting.

Most CoolSculpting treatment cycles last approximately 35 minutes.  As Art of Skin MD has two CoolSculpting devices, both sides of the body can be treated at the same time, making treatment time twice as fast and efficient.

For most areas of the body on patients with normal body weight, two treatment sessions are recommended.  Some thin patients with a small amount of fat may only require one CoolSculpting treatment session.  Those patients with greater amounts of fat to treat may be invited back for more than two sessions to achieve their body contouring goals.

Immediately after a CoolSculpting treatment, the skin will appear pink and firm to the touch. The CoolSculpting expert assisting with your treatment experience will perform a three minute massage on the treatment area of the neck or body. This massage is important, as it enhances the destruction and eventual removal of treated fat cells.

For a period of 5-7 minutes following treatment, the rewarming of the tissues may result in a temporary tingling or burning sensation to the treatment area. The area often becomes numb for a few days to a month, but normal sensation returns to the skin after that time. Very rarely, patients may experience discomfort in the treatment area after CoolSculpting, especially in the (lower) abdomen. This rarely causes significant discomfort, but can be a mild nuisance.  In extremely rare cases, medications called Neurontin (gabapentin) or Lyrica (pregabalin) may be prescribed to increase patient comfort if pain occurs after CoolSculpting treatment.

As a no-downtime procedure, most patients should be able to immediately resume their normal routine following CoolSculpting treatment. Mild tingling or numbness experienced by some patients does not generally interfere with activities, work or physical activity.

CoolSculpting treatment sessions are typically spaced at least 30 days apart.

Results following CoolSculpting may be visible within 4 weeks. For most patients, at least 2 treatment sessions are recommended. Measurable and visible results are usually achieved approximately 2-3 months following treatment.

CoolSculpting has been proven safe and effective by more than 100 published articles in medical literature.

There are few side effects following CoolSculpting treatment. Mild-to-moderate stinging and pain is normal for a few minutes following treatment.  Numbness for a period of approximately 3-4 weeks is common in the treatment area.

Rarely, continued discomfort may be present in the area of treatment.  This is rare but most common in the abdominal area.  Prescription medication may be prescribed to ameliorate this discomfort.

Very rarely, patients may experience increased fat growth in an area of treatment.  This is an extremely rare occurrence but occurs most often in men with a lower body mass index.  This paradoxical fat growth is treated with fat removal by liposuction.

CoolSculpting can only effectively treat and remove areas with “pinchable” fat.  If there is too little fat to be pinched, skin laxity may be the issue, and a skin tightening strategy a more effective treatment.  Most patients with “pinchable” fat benefit from multiple sessions of CoolSculpting.

The CoolSculpting experts at Art of Skin MD have been extensively trained by the CoolSculpting Academy, as well as by board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Melanie Palm.

Our experts can appropriately differentiate fat from skin laxity, as well as identify correctly the areas of the body that will respond well to a CoolSculpting treatment.  Poorly-trained technicians without understanding of proper body contouring or CoolSculpting techniques are those who are more likely to cause skin or contour irregularities. This is why it is important to know the background of  the person administering your treatments.

Liposuction (liposculpture) is the gold standard of fat removal.  At Art of Skin MD, liposculpture is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure performed under local numbing called tumescent anesthesia. It’s intended for areas of unwanted fat that are not responsive to diet and exercise measures.  Liposculpture is capable of removing large volumes of fat in a single treatment but involves some degree of downtime.

Vanquish heats fat instead of freezing fat, leading to its permanent removal. It’s intended for individuals who struggle with stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to dietary and exercise measures. It’s excellent at “debulking” or non-invasively reducing the abdomen and flanks simultaneously. It’s not a substitute for liposuction, which allows a greater volume of fat removal. However, for some patients who are not candidates for CoolSculpting or who do not wish to undergo surgery, Vanquish may be a good treatment option.

EMSCULPT uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to increase muscle tone and decrease fat in the abdominal area and buttocks. It’s a no-downtime procedure that requires a series of treatments. It causes supraphysiologic contractions of muscles, leading to fat metabolism and increased muscle mass. In multiple clinical studies using MRI and CT imaging, waist measurements and photographic before and after results demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology made available to patients in 2018.

CoolSculpting freezes fat, leading to fat cell death through a process called cryolipolysis. Only a certain number of fat cells are created in adults. Therefore, the fat cells eliminated are not replenished by the body. So long as weight and diet are maintained, the results following CoolSculpting are likely to be long-lasting and likely permanent.

Diet and exercise maintenance are encouraged following CoolSculpting treatment. An increase in weight will allow remaining fat stores to accumulate. This may occur disproportionately in areas untreated by CoolSculpting.

Individuals need “pinchable” fat for CoolSculpting treatment to be a success.  Absolute contraindications to CoolSculpting include the following conditions:

• Conditions worsened by cold temperatures including cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobulinuria, known cold sensitivity such as cold urticaria (hives), Raynaud’s disease
• Poor circulation (blood flow to the treatment area)
• Neuropathic conditions or disorders (for example: post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles) or diabetic neuropathy)
• Open skin or infected wounds
• Bleeding disorders or use of medications that thin the blood
• Recent surgery or healing scars in the area of treatment
• A hernia or history of hernia in the area of treatment or close to the area of treatment
• Inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), dermatitis or rashes
• Pregnancy or nursing mothers
• Active implanted devices (for example: pacemakers and defibrillators)