What to Expect After CoolSculpting Treatment
Sometimes diet and exercise simply don’t work when you want to remove unwanted fat from specific areas on your body. Liposuction is an option but it requires going under the knife and a long recovery period. But what other options do you have?
CoolSculpting might be what you’re looking for. It’s noninvasive, has a short recovery time, and gets rid of excessive stored fat. But before you schedule a procedure, let’s take a look at what it is and what you can expect during and after treatment.
About CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure that reduces unwanted fat resistant to diet and exercise. It does this by freezing the fat cells under the skin. In clinical studies, CoolSculpting has shown to reduce subcutaneous fat by 25% after one treatment.
The process of CoolSculpting is called cryolipolysis. It uses a device that gently targets the fat cells beneath the skin by crystallizing and then freezing them. The cells then die and gradually disappear. Some fat cells will disappear immediately while others will take 1-3 months.
What Happens During the Procedure?
During the CoolSculpting procedure, your healthcare provider will apply a gel pad and an applicator to the targeted area. The applicator will then deliver controlled cooling to the fat cells. From there, the device will be placed over your skin to simultaneously provide suction and cooling to the area
While more research still needs to be done, CoolSculpting is currently considered a better option than traditional procedures like liposuction that can come with bigger risks. There is also very little discomfort during the procedure and no anesthesia is necessary so you can return to your normal routine after a short recovery period.
What to Expect After CoolSculpting Treatment?
After treatment, you can expect the affected area to become red for a few hours. You may also experience a few short-term side effects like a full sensation in the back of the throat if you receive treatment near the jaw or chin. But this sensation is usually temporary.
Beyond that, you may also experience:
- Tingling
- Deep itching
- Numbness
- Cramping
- Soreness
- Tenderness
While most people feel few, if any, side effects, if your side effects last more than a week, call your healthcare provider.
Ways to Alleviate Discomfort After CoolSculpting Treatment
If you do feel any discomfort after receiving CoolSculpting Treatment, try these recommendations to alleviate or ease those side effects:
- Wear a compression garment to relieve swelling
- Apply ice or a heating pad to reduce discomfort. Switch between applying it for 20 minutes and taking it off for 20 minutes
- Take Benadryl at night according to the manufacturer’s directions to help you sleep
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Results from CoolSculpting treatment are typically gradual. The first result you’ll notice is the thickness of the fat layer will disappear. This occurs at about the three week mark.
After that, you’ll notice more dramatic results between one to three months. Your body gradually removes the dead fat cells and as it does, you’ll begin to see more and more results.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us at the Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine in Chicago, IL.
