You have questions, we have answers

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about CoolSculpting® below.

Jazmine is shown here before CoolSculpting® treatment

Questions about CoolSculpting® 

CoolSculpting® uses a process called cryolipolysis—sometimes called fat freezing — to target stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. “Cryo” means “intense cold” and “lipolysis” means “the breakdown of fat.” Below a certain temperature, fat cells cannot survive. The cold causes them to crystallize and rupture and, over time, the body breaks down and removes these dead fat cells. CoolSculpting® selectively targets and freezes fat cells while preserving other tissues around the fat, such as the muscles, etc.

The following effects can happen frequently in the treatment area during and after a treatment. These effects are temporary and generally resolve within days or weeks. During the procedure, you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, cramping, and discomfort at the treatment site. These sensations lessen as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation, and aching. Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after a treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. After about ten minutes, the area becomes temporarily numb, which is why many use their treatment time to read, watch TV, or even take a brief nap. For more information, please see Important Safety Information.

Once the treated fat cells have been eliminated by the body, they are gone for good. It’s possible that if you gain weight, the remaining fat cells can expand. Two case studies that followed up two patients, one at six years and another at nine years, after their final treatment found that the fat reduction and body contouring that had resulted from their CoolSculpting® treatments were still apparent despite fluctuations in their weight. Results may vary.

Since 2009, more than 17 million CoolSculpting® treatments have been performed. We are the leading noninvasive fat freezing treatment and the treatment that doctors use most for fat reduction without surgery. Over the years, we have refined our protocol and are proud of our well-established safety and efficacy profile. All of our controlled cooling devices have built-in safety measures with sensors that can detect when the skin is getting too cold and automatically shut off the system for the ultimate in patient safety and comfort.

Please see full Important Safety Information for additional information.

Only you can decide if CoolSculpting® is worth it for you, but what we can tell you is that it’s the treatment doctors use most for noninvasive fat reduction. Since 2009, there have been over 17 million CoolSculpting® treatments worldwide, helping people achieve their body contouring goals without surgery. It permanently eliminates up to 20–25% of the treated fat—and with little to no downtime.* 84% of patients said that they’re satisfied with the treatment they have received, and 89% of patients would recommend CoolSculpting® Elite to a friend after 2 visits.†,††


*In a clinical study of 10 subjects, up to 20—25% of fat layer reduction was seen at 2 and 6 months (n = 6)

†In a study, 96 patients received CoolSculpting Elite treatments on the midsection (abdomen and flanks). 94 patients received two treatment visits and 2 patients received one treatment visit. The primary goal was to evaluate patient satisfaction captured by a survey.

††Additional goals of the study were captured by surveys.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure; it’s a personalized treatment plan that your CoolSculpting® provider will create after detailed discussions with you about what you want to achieve. Most patients need at least two treatment sessions—typically spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart—to achieve desired results.

Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation, and aching. Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. These effects are temporary and generally resolve within days or weeks.

Paradoxical hyperplasia (also known as PH) is a rare side effect of cryolipolysis with a reported rate of around one in every 3,000 treatments carried out—or 0.033%. The exact cause of PH is not fully understood, but it presents as a visible enlargement in the treated area which may develop two to five months after treatment. Unlike temporary swelling, it will not resolve if left untreated and may require surgery. In the very unlikely event that you experience PH after treatment with a CoolSculpting® provider, you should speak to them about your options, including the Cool Confidence program which, in eligible cases, can offer financial assistance with corrective treatment.

CoolSculpting® is nonsurgical and has little to no downtime, meaning you can get back to your busy day as soon as you leave. But as with any treatment, there are risks and side effects you should be aware about:

• Redness, mild to moderate bruising (in rare instances can be severe),
and swelling

• Tenderness, cramping, and aching

• Itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness. Sensory alteration can
persist up to several weeks after a treatment

• Sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental area treatment.

For more risk information, click here. Follow specific advice from your provider. We also suggest ensuring that you drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated.

The cost of your personalized CoolSculpting® treatment plan will depend on the areas you want to treat, the number of treatments you need, and what your ultimate body goals are. That’s why we always recommend that you consult one of our providers in person so they can create a personalized plan designed to fit you, your body, and your budget.

CoolSculpting® uses a process called cryolipolysis—sometimes called fat freezing — to target stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. “Cryo” means “intense cold” and “lipolysis” means “the breakdown of fat.” Below a certain temperature, fat cells cannot survive. The cold causes them to crystallize and rupture and, over time, the body breaks down and removes these dead fat cells. CoolSculpting® selectively targets and freezes fat cells while preserving other tissues around the fat, such as the muscles, etc.

The following effects can happen frequently in the treatment area during and after a treatment. These effects are temporary and generally resolve within days or weeks. During the procedure, you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, cramping, and discomfort at the treatment site. These sensations lessen as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation, and aching. Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after a treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. After about ten minutes, the area becomes temporarily numb, which is why many use their treatment time to read, watch TV, or even take a brief nap. For more information, please see Important Safety Information.

Only you can decide if CoolSculpting® is worth it for you, but what we can tell you is that it’s the treatment doctors use most for noninvasive fat reduction. Since 2009, there have been over 17 million CoolSculpting® treatments worldwide, helping people achieve their body contouring goals without surgery. It permanently eliminates up to 20–25% of the treated fat—and with little to no downtime.* 84% of patients said that they’re satisfied with the treatment they have received, and 89% of patients would recommend CoolSculpting® Elite to a friend after 2 visits.†,††


*In a clinical study of 10 subjects, up to 20—25% of fat layer reduction was seen at 2 and 6 months (n = 6)

†In a study, 96 patients received CoolSculpting Elite treatments on the midsection (abdomen and flanks). 94 patients received two treatment visits and 2 patients received one treatment visit. The primary goal was to evaluate patient satisfaction captured by a survey.

††Additional goals of the study were captured by surveys.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure; it’s a personalized treatment plan that your CoolSculpting® provider will create after detailed discussions with you about what you want to achieve. Most patients need at least two treatment sessions—typically spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart—to achieve desired results.

The cost of your personalized CoolSculpting® treatment plan will depend on the areas you want to treat, the number of treatments you need, and what your ultimate body goals are. That’s why we always recommend that you consult one of our providers in person so they can create a personalized plan designed to fit you, your body, and your budget.

CoolSculpting® is nonsurgical and has little to no downtime, meaning you can get back to your busy day as soon as you leave. But as with any treatment, there are risks and side effects you should be aware about:

• Redness, mild to moderate bruising (in rare instances can be severe),
and swelling

• Tenderness, cramping, and aching

• Itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness. Sensory alteration can
persist up to several weeks after a treatment
• Sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental area treatment.

For more risk information, click here. Follow specific advice from your provider. We also suggest ensuring that you drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated.

CoolSculpting® could be for you if you have unwanted areas of fat that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise. Your provider will determine whether you are a candidate for the treatment. CoolSculpting® is not a weight-loss treatment, but many patients see it as a noninvasive procedure that can put the finishing touches to their body following medical weight loss or lifestyle changes.

During the procedure, you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, cramping, and discomfort at the treatment site. These sensations lessen as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation, and aching. Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment.

While everyone has a different threshold of discomfort, you can use the time to read, watch TV, or even have a catnap.



Please see full Important Safety Information for additional information

After treatment, the fat cells break down and die. Once the treated fat cells have been destroyed and eliminated, the body won't regrow them.

With weight loss, the fat cells shrink in volume, but the number of fat cells stays the same. With CoolSculpting®, treated fat cells are permanently eliminated, leaving fewer fat cells in the treated area.

Once the treated fat cells have been eliminated by the body, they are gone for good. It’s possible that if you gain weight, the remaining fat cells can expand. Two case studies that followed up two patients, one at six years and another at nine years, after their final treatment found that the fat reduction and body contouring that had resulted from their CoolSculpting® treatments were still apparent despite fluctuations in their weight. Results may vary.

Most patients start to see results one to three months after treatment. Results may vary.

Since 2009, more than 17 million CoolSculpting® treatments have been performed. We are the leading noninvasive fat freezing treatment and the treatment that doctors use most for fat reduction without surgery. Over the years, we have refined our protocol and are proud of our well-established safety and efficacy profile. All of our controlled cooling devices have built-in safety measures with sensors that can detect when the skin is getting too cold and automatically shut off the system for the ultimate in patient safety and comfort.



Please see full Important Safety Information for additional information.

Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation, and aching. Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. These effects are temporary and generally resolve within days or weeks.

Paradoxical hyperplasia (also known as PH) is a rare side effect of cryolipolysis with a reported rate of around one in every 3,000 treatments carried out—or 0.033%. The exact cause of PH is not fully understood, but it presents as a visible enlargement in the treated area which may develop two to five months after treatment. Unlike temporary swelling, it will not resolve if left untreated and may require surgery. In the very unlikely event that you experience PH after treatment with a CoolSculpting® provider, you should speak to them about your options, including the Cool Confidence program which, in eligible cases, can offer financial assistance with corrective treatment.

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Jazmine was treated with CoolSculpting® Elite on her abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, and upper arms.

Ryan was treated with CoolSculpting® Elite on his abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, and double chin. Results may vary.

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Donna was treated with CoolSculpting® Elite on her abdomen, flanks, back fat, bra fat, and upper arms. She was also treated with CoolTone® on her abdomen and glutes. Results may vary. The safety and efficacy of CoolSculpting® and CoolTone® in combination have not been evaluated by the FDA.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & APPROVED USES

This procedure is not for everyone. You should not be treated with CoolSculpting® or CoolSculpting® Elite if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are not treatments for weight loss.

COOLSCULPTING®, COOLSCULPTING® ELITE, AND COOLTONE® USES AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite Uses

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are not treatments for weight loss.

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite Important Safety Information

This procedure is not for everyone. You should not be treated with CoolSculpting® or CoolSculpting® Elite if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions including recent surgery, pre-existing hernia, and any known sensitivities or allergies.

During the procedure you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, cramping and discomfort at the treatment site. These sensations lessen as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, stinging, tenderness, cramping, skin inflammation and aching.  Sensory alteration (itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness) can persist up to several weeks after treatment. You may also experience throat discomfort/soreness and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. 

Rare side effects may happen in 1 to 10 out of 10,000 CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite treatments (between 0.01% to 0.1%). One such rare side effect is a visible enlargement in the treated area, which may develop 2 to 5 months after treatment, will not resolve on its own, and may require surgical intervention for correction.

Please see full Important Safety Information for CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite on CoolSculpting.com.

Uses and Important Safety Information for CoolTone®

CoolTone® Uses

The CoolTone® device is FDA-cleared for improvement of abdominal tone, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, and development for firmer abdomen. CoolTone® is also FDA-cleared for strengthening, toning, and firming of buttocks and thighs.

CoolTone® Important Safety Information 

The CoolTone® procedure is not for everyone. You should not have the CoolTone® treatment in areas with metal, active, electrical, or electronic implants/devices like cardiac pacemakers, implanted hearing devices, implanted defibrillators, implanted neurostimulators, drug pumps, or hearing aids.  
 
Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions as CoolTone® should not be used over a menstruating uterus, over areas of the skin that lack normal sensation, in patients with fever, malignant tumor, hemorrhagic conditions, epilepsy, recent surgical procedure, pulmonary insufficiency, or pregnancy.  
 
CoolTone® should be used with caution in patients with Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disorder that causes overactive thyroid), women with an intrauterine device (IUD), hernia in or near treatment site, active bleeding disorders, or seizure disorders. Women with an IUD should monitor for symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, cramping, spotting, or heavy bleeding develop during or post-treatment and seek medical advice if these occur. 
 
Women who are close to menstruation may find that it comes sooner, or cramping is increased or intensified with CoolTone® treatments, therefore, it is recommended to not undergo treatment during this time of the month. 
 
CoolTone® should not be used in the heart or head areas, areas of new bone growth, over the carotid sinus nerves, or over the neck or mouth. CoolTone® should not be applied over swollen, infected, inflamed areas or skin eruptions. Caution should be used for patients with suspected or diagnosed heart problems. 
 
Common side effects may include, but may not be limited to, muscular pain, temporary muscle spasm, temporary joint or tendon pain, and redness at or near the treatment site.  
 
Ask your Healthcare Provider if CoolTone® is right for you. 
 
Please see full Important Safety Information for additional information at cooltone.com.

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