What Is CoolSculpting®? Benefits, Procedure and Costs

Do you have stubborn areas of fat that won't budge with diet and exercise? Interested in fat reduction but don’t want to go under the knife? A non-invasive fat removal procedure like CoolSculpting® may be worth considering.

Read on to learn more about CoolSculpting and how this non-surgical procedure can help spot-treat stubborn areas of fat.

What Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is a popular brand name for cryolipolysis, a non-invasive fat removal procedure for freezing fat cells. This technique causes localized cooling of fat cells to a temperature that causes them to die and disintegrate, making them unable to store fat in that area of the body.¹

While CoolSculpting isn't a weight loss method, it can be used to treat certain areas of the body where fat reduction hasn't had success with other methods.¹

Other related treatments you may want to consider are laser fat reduction, ultrasonic fat reduction or red light therapy.²

What Does CoolSculpting Treat?

CoolSculpting can be used to treat pockets of fat on various spots of the body. The procedure has been FDA-cleared for treating the following areas:³

• Under the chin and jaw
• Flanks/sides
• Abdomen
• Inner thigh
• Outer thigh
• Distal thigh (above kneecap)
• Upper arm
• Back
• Under the buttocks

Benefits of CoolSculpting Treatment

There are several benefits when choosing CoolSculpting to treat areas of fat that have been resistant to other methods:⁴

• FDA-approved since 2010
• Can be used on multiple areas of the body
• Can treat multiple areas at once
• Non-invasive
• Minimal side effects
• No downtime
• Natural-looking and permanent results
• Cost-effective

How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?

Across the United States, the average cost* of a single CoolSculpting treatment is $1,723, but costs can range from $1,432 to $5,008.⁵

Like other cosmetic treatments, costs for CoolSculpting can vary based on the area treated, number of areas treated, number of treatments needed, your geographic region and the specific provider.⁶

CoolSculpting cost by state/district

Below are the average costs* of CoolSculpting depending on where you live in the U.S.⁵

CoolSculpting cost compared to other fat reduction treatments

CoolSculpting may be comparable in price to other fat reduction treatments, depending on the areas treated and the number of treatments needed:⁵

Talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option for you.

Is CoolSculpting Covered by Insurance?

A cryolipolysis procedure like CoolSculpting is considered a cosmetic procedure and usually is not covered by health insurance.⁶ Some CoolSculpting providers may offer in-house financing or discount pricing for bundled treatments.

Who Is a Good Candidate for CoolSculpting?

Good candidates for CoolSculpting should meet the following criteria:⁹

• Have at least an inch of pinchable subcutaneous fat in the desired treatment area
• Be close to their ideal body mass index (BMI)
• Have a goal to troubleshoot problem areas, not achieve overall weight loss
• Be willing to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle

Those with cold-related conditions, such as cold urticaris or cryoglobulinemia, should look at alternative non-invasive fat reduction methods that use lasers or rely on radiofrequency, for instance. Those with very lax skin may also want to explore alternative fat-reduction treatments.¹

It is important to note that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure. While CoolSculpting can help improve targeted areas of stubborn fat that have not been impacted by diet and exercise, the procedure is not designed to significantly alter a person's weight.²

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, outpatient cosmetic procedure. It doesn't use needles, anesthesia or surgery.⁴

Here is what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

Preparation

There are several steps to check off before you head to your first CoolSculpting treatment:⁸

1. Lose any extra weight. CoolSculpting isn’t a weight loss procedure, so you should plan to be at or within 5 pounds of your ideal weight by procedure day.
2. Stop certain medications and supplements. Before any medical procedure, talk with your doctor about which medications and supplements are safe (or not safe) to take before the procedure. Some medications or supplements may lead to more bruising and may be best to avoid before the procedure.
3. Protect your skin. Avoid tanning, sunburns, chemical peels or laser treatments on skin that will be involved in the CoolSculpting treatment.
4. Bring something to do. You should plan to be awake and alert during your CoolSculpting treatments, which can take about an hour. Bringing a book, magazine, phone or computer can help distract you from any discomfort and pass the procedure time.

Procedure

During CoolSculpting treatments, a gel pad and an applicator are placed on the pocket of fat that is going to be treated.¹ You will feel a sense of suction and then intense cold until the area numbs.¹ The device transmits temperatures cold enough to freeze fat without damage to the skin, muscle or nerves, which require colder temperatures to damage.²

Up to 25% of the fat cells in the treated area are damaged by cryolipolysis.² Your body permanently eliminates them.¹ Since fat freezing is non-surgical and minimally invasive, you are awake during the treatment, and there is no downtime after the procedure.¹

For the duration of the treatment, any discomfort is usually mild. Treatments take around 60 minutes, and you can relax, watch TV or even do work while the treatments are being performed. Depending on the provider and treatment areas, sometimes multiple CoolSculpting devices can be applied to the body at once, allowing you to have multiple areas treated simultaneously.¹

Recovery

After the treatment, the area may be massaged manually or with a percussive massager to help break up the fat cells.¹

Side effects are usually mild and may include swelling, numbness or temporary redness.² In very rare cases, an unexpected increase in the number of fat cells (paradoxical fat hyperplasia) can occur.¹ However, this happens in less than 1% of patients and is three times more common to occur in men than in women.¹

Results From CoolSculpting Treatment

While some patients may notice results within one month, final results can take multiple months to be revealed. Barring additional weight gain, the results from CoolSculpting can be permanent.²

Depending on the treatment area, more than one fat-freezing treatment may be needed to achieve the desired results.²

Since it is a non-invasive procedure, the results from CoolSculpting may be less drastic and immediate than can be achieved with a surgical procedure like liposuction or a tummy tuck.²

Financing CoolSculpting With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting CoolSculpting or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.