How Many Sessions of Cryolipolysis Is Needed for Optimal Fat Loss Results?

Latest Update: 2024-09-02

Key Takeaway:

It depends on how many areas you want to be treated and how much fat you want to get rid of.
For people who only want to treat one or two areas they only need one treatment session. However, those who have more unwanted fat will take 2-3 treatment sessions or even more.

Understanding Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis, also known as CoolSculping, is a non-invasive procedure that reduces subcutaneous fat by subjecting it to controlled cooling. These 2 terms have slight differences but can always be interchanged.

CoolSculpting treatment is a fat reduction treatment designed to target and destroy fat cells, which your body then naturally eliminates. It’s a popular choice for nonsurgical fat reduction.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:

Target Areas: It treats fat beneath the chin, arms, thighs, abdomen, and other areas like love handles and brassiere rolls.
How It Works: The cooling technology crystallizes fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues, leading to the cells’ natural death. Your body will naturally eliminate the dead fat cells and the treatment area will be slimmer.

During a cryolipolysis treatment:

A gel pad and applicator are applied to the targeted area.
The applicator delivers controlled cooling to the fat cells.
The session typically lasts about 35-60 minutes, depending on the area.

It usually takes multiple sessions to achieve the final results, as each treatment reduces about 20-25% of fat cells in the targeted area. Your body will take care of the rest, flushing out the affected cells over the weeks following the session.

Keep in mind that results and session treatments may vary based on individual characteristics and treatment goals.

The CoolSculpting Procedure

It’s important for you to understand the procedure and how the applicator works to ensure the best results.

Step-by-Step Overview

Preparation: Your practitioner will start by marking the treatment area to apply the procedure accurately.
Protection: A gel pad is placed over the treatment area to protect your skin from the intense cold.
Application: The applicator is positioned on your treatment area. It uses suction to draw the fatty tissue into the applicator’s cup.
Cryolipolysis: The applicator delivers controlled cold temperatures to freeze the fat cells while you may feel a tugging sensation due to the vacuum.
Massage: Post-treatment, the practitioner massages the treated area, which can help break down the frozen fat cells and can enhance the results of the initial treatment.

Choosing the Appropriate Applicator

Size and Shape: Applicators come in various shapes and sizes to match different body areas and fat bulges.
Customization: Your practitioner will choose an applicator that best fits the size of your treatment area.
Intensity: Depending on the applicator, the intensity of suction and cold temperatures can vary, tailoring the treatment to your needs.

It’s crucial to select a suitable applicator to ensure the desired results, maintaining comfort and maximizing outcomes.

Treatment Experience and Side Effects

When you undertook CoolSculpting, you likely were hoping for a smooth experience, and while that’s often the case, it’s important to know what to expect during and after the procedure. Below, we’ll discuss the sensations you might feel during the treatment and what common side effects could arise.

Sensations During Treatment

During a cryolipolysis session, it’s typical to experience certain sensations as the machine works on your body. Initially, when the device is applied, you may feel intense cold in the targeted area. This sensation usually diminishes as the area becomes numb, which may take a few minutes. Additionally, it’s not uncommon to feel:

Tingling: As the cooling begins, a tingling sensation may occur.
Pulling: The vacuum effect from the device can create a pulling feeling.
Aching/stinging: Some individuals report a mild aching or stinging which typically subsides after the area becomes numb.

Common Side Effects

After your cryolipolysis session, certain side effects may appear in the treated area. These side effects are generally mild and resolve on their own. Here’s what you might expect:

Redness/Swelling: The treated area may become red and swell slightly; this is a normal reaction.
Tenderness: The area may feel tender to the touch or sore like after a workout.

Remember, these side effects are typically short-lived. Massage of the treated area is often recommended post-treatment, which may help alleviate some of the side effects like tingling or aching muscles. If any side effect seems severe or lasts longer than a few days, it’s prudent to consult with your healthcare provider.

How Many CoolSculpting Sessions are Needed for Each Area of the Body?

The answer varies according to the amount of fat and your goals.

Chin

For the chin area, reducing a double chin may often be achieved with a single session. However, depending on the starting fat volume and desired outcome, up to three sessions may be needed.

Arms

Contouring your arms typically requires a single CoolSculpting session, which can significantly reduce fat appearance by approximately 25%.

Thighs

Inner thigh fat can be particularly stubborn. The necessary sessions for thighs will be determined during your consultation, where bespoke advice is given.

Stomach

The stomach is a common focus for CoolSculpting due to persistent fat. Here, the number of sessions ranges widely, and a treatment plan will be tailored for you.

Wait Time Between Sessions: Timing between treatments is important. Although full results can take three to four months to develop, you don’t need to wait that long for additional sessions if needed.

There’s no cap on the number of sessions, granted there’s enough pinchable fat to treat. Remember, CoolSculpting is a body sculpting method, not weight loss surgery.

Results, Recovery, and Aftercare

When you undergo CoolSculpting, you can expect a non-invasive journey to reducing localized fat. You’ll notice gradual changes and should follow specific steps for optimal recovery and to maintain the results achieved.

Timeline of Visible Changes

After your CoolSculpting session, anticipate your body to begin an inflammatory response to eliminate damaged fat cells. While it varies per person, you typically may start seeing results after:

Three Weeks: Initial changes may become visible as your body starts processing the affected fat cells.
Two Months: You might see a more pronounced reduction in the treated area as the majority of the fat cells are expelled.
Six Months: By this time, you’ll likely see the most significant outcome as your body completes the elimination process of fat cells.

Remember, skin tightening is part of the natural process, and changes will continue to evolve even after you see initial results.

Post-Treatment Recovery

Your recovery is straightforward following a cryolipolysis procedure. Here’s what to generally expect:

Day 1: Tenderness, redness, or numbing in the treated area — all typical signs that your body is responding to the treatment.
Week 1-2: Any discomfort should gradually subside. If you experience bruising, it typically resolves during this period.

To foster a smooth recovery, maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Although cryolipolysis helps with weight loss in targeted areas, it’s not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.

Maintaining Treatment Results

You play a crucial role in upholding the results of your cryolipolysis treatment. To maintain the effects:

Sustain a Healthy Diet: Consume a balanced diet to prevent weight gain that could obscure your treatment results.
Stay Active: Regular exercise can help maintain your weight loss and contribute to overall well-being.
Follow-Up Treatments: Some individuals may need additional sessions for further localized fat reduction. Discuss with your provider if additional treatments are necessary for your desired outcome.

Note that while cryolipolysis promotes fat loss in specific areas, it’s not a remedy for significant weight loss. It is most effective for those close to their desired weight, looking to address pockets of stubborn fat.

Considerations and Contraindications

When you’re considering cryolipolysis, typically known as body sculpting, to target specific areas like the chin, abdomen, thighs, love handles, inner thighs, or upper arms, it’s important to consult with a certified plastic surgeon. They can help you understand the recommended number of sessions to achieve your goals since this can vary based on individual needs.

Safety and Effectiveness
It’s a non-invasive aesthetic procedure that must be performed in a certified clinic. Cryolipolysis is designed to work well for small and specific areas that are stubborn against diet and exercise.

Skin Laxity
If you have significant skin laxity, cryolipolysis may not be the ideal cosmetic procedure for you. The method does not tighten skin; it reduces fat cells.

Medical Considerations
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for cryolipolysis. Men and women with conditions like cryoglobulinemia or obesity may need to consider other options as cryolipolysis is generally more suited for body fat reduction in specific areas rather than significant weight loss.

Cost
The cost can vary and often depends on the number of sessions required. More sessions might be needed for larger areas or for more significant fat reduction, leading to increased overall cost.

Remember, achieving a certain aesthetic goal may take multiple treatment cycles, and patience is key. It’s essential to balance your expectations with realistic outcomes discussed with your surgeon.