Are CoolSculpting Results Immediate?

CoolSculpting continues to be the gold standard of non-surgical fat removal. This 100% non-invasive body contouring treatment uses next generation cooling technology to literally freeze stubborn fat away. There is no pain, no needles, no surgical incisions, no anesthesia, and no recovery time!

While CoolSculpting can deliver highly dramatic results, it’s important for prospective patients to understand that CoolSculpting results are not immediate. While many patients experience noticeable reductions in unwanted fat within three weeks of treatment, it may take 3-6 months or longer to achieve your final end result.

Here’s why CoolSculpting results take some time to fully appear:

Cryolipolysis takes time

CoolSculpting eliminates fat through a process called cryolipolysis. A special applicator is used to apply extreme cold to the treatment area, causing targeted fat cells to crystallize. The process terminally injures the fat cells, causing them to gradually die off. The body naturally expels these broken-down fat cells through natural metabolic processes. Unlike liposuction which instantly sucks unwanted fat from the body, cryolipolysis relies on the body’s response which takes time to come to fruition.

Multiple treatments sessions are needed

While individual results may vary, each individual CoolSculpting treatment session reduces fat in the targeted area by an average of 18-20%. Thus, many patients may require multiple treatment sessions to achieve their desired end result. Repeat treatment sessions of the same area should be spaced out around 30 days or more to allow the body to fully expel treated fat cells. This is another big reason why CoolSculpting results take time to visibly notice a difference.

CoolSculpting results that are worth the wait

While CoolSculpting results are not immediate, our patients say their results were well worth the wait! CoolSculpting is able to achieve dramatic results that are comparable to liposuction, without the pain or downtime inherent or a surgical procedure.

Best of all, CoolSculpting results can be permanent as long as the patient maintains their post-treatment weight thorough diet and exercise. Fat cells killed by CoolSculpting are permanently removed as the adult body is unable to create new fat cells. Removed fat cells cannot regrow and the adult human body will not replace them with new fat cells.

A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.