When it comes to non-invasive body contouring, CoolSculpting® is highly reliable and effective at addressing stubborn fat pockets. But you may wonder if this treatment is effective in other areas of the body.
Fort Worth Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby explains how this innovative treatment works, the types of body fat that CoolSculpting targets, and where CoolSculpting may be most effective.
How CoolSculpting works
The science behind CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis) relies on the fact that fat cells are more susceptible to cold temperatures than surrounding tissues. When fat cells are exposed to extreme cold, they crystallize and die, while your skin and muscles remain unaffected.
Your body processes and eliminates the treated fat cells to reveal a more sculpted appearance over the next several weeks.
A single CoolSculpting treatment can achieve anywhere from 18% – 29% fat reduction.
Which areas can CoolSculpting treat?
CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for the treatment of fat bulges and can be used on various areas of the body, including:
- Submental & submandibular areas (double chin and jawline)
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Flanks (love handles)
- Bra bulges
- Back fat
- Upper arm
- Under the buttocks (banana rolls)
Other “off-label” areas can be treated if there is pinchable fullness, if deemed appropriate by your specialist.
What types of fat does CoolSculpting target?
CoolSculpting solely targets subcutaneous fat, or the white fat found just beneath the skin. Subcutaneous fat is the most accessible body fat we have, and it responds well to CoolSculpting.
As the most common form of body fat, white fat serves as an energy reserve, provides insulation, and offers some cushioning from external pressure or impact. Other types of body fat include visceral fat, another type of white fat surrounding your internal organs; brown fat, which helps generate heat to maintain body temperature and is mainly found in infants; and beige fat, which has characteristics of both white and brown fat.
Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is most effective for patients who are near or at a stable weight, but who have persistent pockets of fat that are diet- and exercise-resistant. CoolSculpting targets specific areas of the body and is not a weight loss treatment.
Areas where CoolSculpting tends to achieve noteworthy results
A 2021 study showed that multiple CoolSculpting treatments achieved significant fat reduction and visible contour improvements in all above-mentioned FDA-cleared treatment areas. Additionally, a nine-year follow-up study shows the long-term results of CoolSculpting treatments remain strong, even after weight fluctuations.
While CoolSculpting is not necessarily more effective in one area or another, patients tend to be happiest with the results of treatment in areas with a higher subcutaneous fat density, as they typically have more apparent, long-lasting results. The areas where most patients have higher fat density include:
- Abdomen. Both the upper and lower abdominal regions often have stubborn fat deposits, and nearly all patients see significant improvements in their abdominal contours following treatment.
- Flanks. The love handles or “muffin top” areas tend to retain subcutaneous fat and respond well to CoolSculpting treatments that create a more streamlined silhouette.
- Thighs. Fat on the inner and outer thighs can be particularly stubborn, and many patients struggle to achieve toned thighs through diet and exercise. CoolSculpting can assist by targeting these areas for a more sculpted appearance.
Many patients see a significant fat reduction in these areas as well:
- Upper arms. This area can be challenging to tone, and for patients with a considerable amount of fat in their upper arms, CoolSculpting treatments can achieve highly visible results.
- Submental area (double chin). The amount of excess fat that can accumulate under your chin is much smaller than in other areas; however, some patients may be more prone to collecting excess fat here. Thus, CoolSculpting can greatly reduce fat deposits under the chin and create a visibly contoured jawline.
Several other factors may also influence how effective your CoolSculpting results may be, including your unique body composition, the distribution and amount of subcutaneous fat in your treatment area, your overall health and lifestyle, and your CoolSculpting provider’s expertise.
CoolSculpting in Fort Worth
The elite CoolSculpting team at Kalos Medical Spa is pleased to offer non-surgical body contouring to patients throughout the Fort Worth and DFW area. Physician Assistant Marianita Vela, PA-C is an Allergan Medical Institute CoolSculpting Faculty Trainer who educates fellow medical providers in the use of CoolSculpting, and our three CoolSculpting specialists together hold many years of experience helping patients achieve their body contouring goals.
We invite you to schedule a consultation at Kalos Medical Spa by calling 817-292-4200 or filling out our online contact form today!