How Long Has CoolSculpting Been Around? We’re Answering the Top 7 Uncommon Questions We Hear About Non-Surgical Fat Reduction

November 17, 2020

Woman Enjoys Results from Non Surgical Fat CoolSculpting Procedures

Our patients love that Fort Worth CoolSculpting® treatments can reduce stubborn fat with a few short treatments and little-to-no downtime—and we love seeing smiles on their faces as they watch their problem areas shrink! CoolSculpting has become so popular, we’re not surprised to hear rumors about the treatment in conversations at our Fort Worth medical spa. For those who are thinking about CoolSculpting, we want to field some common questions about freezing away fat cells.

Learn more about Coolsculpting

How long has CoolSculpting been around?

CoolSculpting has been in use for almost 10 years, first earning its FDA-cleared status in 2010 to treat love handles (flanks). FDA clearance requires that a medical treatment undergo rigorous clinical trials and demonstrate safe, consistent results. Over the course of the past ten years, CoolSculpting has added FDA clearances for spot reduction of fat in numerous additional areas: the abdomen, under the chin, upper arms, bra rolls, back fat, under the buttocks, and the inner and outer thighs. CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to treat visible fat bulges in a total of 9 areas of the body. We have used CoolSculpting to achieve beautiful results in all of these areas, as well as in additional off-label areas.

Does CoolSculpting hurt muscle?

CoolSculpting does not hurt muscles. The cool temperature used in CoolSculpting stimulates fat cells to shrink and disappear before undergoing metabolism by the body but this cool temperature is not cold enough to harm surrounding muscle, skin, or nerve tissue.

During treatment, the contoured CoolSculpting applicator gently pulls the skin and tissue into the cooling cup, evenly applying a controlled cool temperature to the area of fat you want to reduce. As the applicator adheres to the skin, you may feel a tugging or pinching sensation, and some patients temporarily feel soreness at the treatment area. These sensations are completely normal. Most patients adjust to the cold temperature quickly and are able to relax during their CoolSculpting treatment.

Is CoolSculpting hard on your liver?

No, CoolSculpting is not hard on your liver. Research has confirmed that CoolSculpting will not affect your liver, even when multiple treatments are administered to different areas in a single day. At our medical spa, we often treat two areas at a time, which we call “Dual Sculpting.” CoolSculpting eliminates fat cells through the body’s natural metabolic pathways over the course of 1 to 3 months following treatment, but this process does not shock or overload the liver.

While CoolSculpting is safe for most patients, individuals with certain blood disorders should not undergo CoolSculpting. Be sure to talk with your physician about your complete medical history before treatment.

Can CoolSculpting cause diarrhea?

CoolSculpting does not cause diarrhea. If you develop an upset stomach after CoolSculpting, it is most likely unrelated. Treat your condition as you normally would, and visit your primary care physician if the condition persists.

Does CoolSculpting make you fatter?

CoolSculpting does not make you fatter or contribute to overall weight gain. Immediately following treatment, many patients experience some degree of mild swelling within the treatment area. Swelling is common and usually fades within two weeks. Over the course of up to 3 months following treatment, you will notice the area shrinking as the body metabolizes the fat cells.

In very rare cases, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) can occur, which leads to an irregular enlargement at the treatment area. PAH may be treated with liposuction and does not affect areas outside of the skin that was treated with the CoolSculpting applicator. Some surgeons have reported fewer instances of PAH with the newest generation of CoolAdvantage contoured applicators, which we use at Kalos Medical Spa. Our patients have never reported this side effect.

Does CoolSculpting have long-term side effects?

CoolSculpting has no known long-term side effects. Short term side effects are to be expected, including swelling, numbness, tingling, bruising, and/or redness. The rare side effect of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) is unlikely, but may be treated with liposuction should it occur.

Can CoolSculpting tighten loose skin?

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to tighten skin in the double chin and to reduce fat in the same area using a specially-sized CoolSculpting applicator, the CoolMini. While CoolSculpting often creates the appearance of tightened skin as the tissue retracts with the reduced area of fat, it is not specifically FDA-cleared for skin tightening elsewhere. This patient’s results demonstrate the effect:

In your consultation, we will help you determine what results are possible from CoolSculpting treatment by examining your skin elasticity and looking at before and after photos of our previous CoolSculpting patients.

Looking for CoolSculpting in Fort Worth? Do your homework.

While it’s easy to assume you’d get a specific CoolSculpting result no matter who administers your treatment, your choice of CoolSculpting specialist is critical to attaining an attractive result. At Kalos, our medical spa staff bring a combined forty years of experience in aesthetic medicine, and all procedures are administered by a CoolSculpting specialist under the guidance of board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Kirby. We know the treatment inside and out and personalize the treatment plan based on your individual goals.