CoolSculpting
Reshape Your Body with CoolSculpting
Even if you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, factors like genetics, hormone changes and major life events like pregnancy can make it hard to maintain your shape. Certain areas stubbornly hold onto fat no matter how hard you work, and even the healthiest lifestyle can’t spot-reduce unwanted bulges.
Science has given us a solution. With CoolSculpting, we can reduce localized deposits of fat that are non-responsive to diet and exercise. Unwanted fat cells are permanently removed, giving you smoother, slimmer contours where you want them most.
If you would like to schedule an appointment for CoolSculpting in San Francisco, please contact us today.
What Is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting is a noninvasive cosmetic treatment that can reduce the number of fat cells in a given area using cryolipolysis technology. This approach freezes fat cells underneath the skin, causing them to be dissolved by the body at a later time. This results in a slimmer contour and a more balanced aesthetic appearance. It is estimated that Coolsculpting can reduce a fat layer by up to 25%. It is safe, reliable, and one of the most well-known and performed solutions on the aesthetics market.
What Does Coolsculpting Treat?
Coolsculpting can treat unwanted fat in any of the following areas:
- Flanks
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Bra bulge area
- Back
- Beneath buttocks
- Upper arms
- Below the jawline
- Double chin area
If your area of concern is somewhere different, don’t worry — there are still plenty of areas not listed that Coolsculpting may be able to treat. At Appearance Care Center if CoolSculpting in San Francisco is not the best option for you, we will work with you to find a treatment plan that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Am I a Candidate for Coolsculpting in San Francisco?
If you are experiencing unwanted buildups of stubborn fat, then you are likely going to be a candidate for this procedure. There are no limitations based on skin type or texture, and it can be used on most age groups. The best candidates are those who have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with the treatment. If you come in with unrealistic desires, you will likely find yourself disappointed by what would be otherwise considered a successful procedure.
How Should I Prepare for Coolsculpting Treatment?
The procedure and recovery are relatively minor, so you will not need to worry about any extensive preparations for Coolsculpting treatment. We recommend asking as many questions about the process as possible so you are fully prepared for the process, and you should always do plenty of research to know exactly what you are getting into. We can help direct you to valuable resources and information during your initial consultation.
What Should I Expect from a Coolsculpting Procedure?
The Coolsculpting process is straightforward. One of our medical specialists will apply a gel pad and Coolsculpting device to the area you are hoping to slim. The device delivers controlled cooling to the targeted fat cells, and it is then moved across the surrounding area as well to help maintain a balanced aesthetic. Once the entire process is complete, the area treated will be cleaned of the gel, and you will be sent home.
While most people need about two or three of these treatments to see ideal results, the total number of sessions will depend entirely on your aesthetic goals, the amount of correction being made and your body’s reaction to the treatment. We will help you monitor your progress and adapt your treatment plan as necessary.
What Should I Expect During Coolsculpting Recovery?
The vast majority of patients are able to return to their normal routines immediately after the procedure. There is no recovery or downtime that you will need to plan for, making it a great option for someone who has a busy schedule or many responsibilities to manage. This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages over other treatments; there is no impact on the other parts of your life.
With that being said, it is possible you will have some redness or soreness after the procedure. These effects do not require medications, not even over-the-counter varieties, and our patients describe them as minor or negligible at worst.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Coolsculpting?
Within three weeks of the first procedure, it is possible that you will start to notice some improvement as the dead fat cells are absorbed by the body. By two or three months, you should expect to have a clear idea of what your long-term results will look like, but the fat-absorption process can take up to six months to complete.
Your body cannot produce new fat cells, so your results will be permanent. Keep in mind though, that this will not prevent fat from accumulating in other parts of the body — potentially areas that you did not previously accumulate.
Can I Combine My Coolsculpting with Other Procedures?
Coolsculpting can be combined with a host of different procedures, including:
- Cellfina
- CoolTone
- UltraShape
- VelaShape
- Vein treatments
- Laser hair removal
FAQs
How long does a CoolSculpting treatment take?
The length of your appointment will depend on the size of the area and the number of areas being treated. Most sessions take 30-60 minutes. After this, your provider will massage the treated area for a few minutes to break up the frozen fat cells and ensure they are properly dispersed.
Is CoolSculpting safe?
CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to reduce fat in nine areas of the body: under the jawline, under the chin, back fat, bra fat, the flank area (love handles), the upper arms, the abdomen, under the buttocks and the thighs. Clinical studies have concluded that CoolSculpting is generally a safe and effective way to target fat in these areas, provided it is performed by a trained and experienced provider.
Is CoolSculpting painful?
Overall, most people find CoolSculpting to be a tolerably comfortable procedure. You may notice a cold sensation when the device is first applied, but this usually fades as the cold numbs the area. Some patients experience tingling, aching, stinging or cramping. The intensity of these sensations varies from person to person.
Some applicators use a vacuum and others do not. The vacuum applicators use suction to draw the targeted fat into the applicator, which can cause pinching, pulling or tugging sensations. With a non-vacuum applicator, you may experience feelings of pressure.
What are the potential side effects of CoolSculpting?
After a session, the treated area may be red, firm and/or tender, and you may notice blanching and/or mild bruising around the edges. In the next one to two weeks, you may experience swelling, aching, itching, skin sensitivity or numbness in the area. Your provider will thoroughly discuss all potential CoolSculpting side effects before you proceed with treatment. If you experience anything unusual after your treatment, please contact our team right away for evaluation and guidance.
Is CoolSculpting a weight loss procedure?
CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure. It is what we call a “body sculpting” or “body contouring” procedure. This means that it cannot provide generalized fat reduction all over your body, but it can help reduce fat deposits in specific areas that you have unsuccessfully targeted with diet and exercise. It is not a substitute for a weight loss program or a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
What are CoolSculpting cycles?
A “cycle” is essentially a unit of CoolSculpting. It refers to each application of the device to the body. So, for example, if you are treating your flanks, your right flank is one cycle and your left flank is another cycle, and together they are considered one treatment. Your next appointment would again consist of those two cycles. This would continue until your treatment plan is complete.
The number of cycles required depends on the size of the area and the size of the handpieces. Some patients need multiple cycles to achieve full coverage of the targeted area.
Can CoolSculpting tighten skin?
CoolSculpting is not designed for skin tightening. If you are concerned about loose or sagging skin, you may want to consider other nonsurgical treatments like Sofwave, Scarlet RF or Ultherapy, or a surgical procedure like a facelift, neck lift or tummy tuck.
Can CoolSculpting reduce cellulite?
CoolSculpting does not target cellulite. If you are looking for a way to reduce those stubborn dimples and restore smoothness to your skin, we offer several cellulite treatment options:
- VelaShape reduces cellulite and unwanted fat utilizing a combination of four different technologies
- Cellfina is a minimally-invasive subcision procedure that is clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite for at least two years
- QWO is an injectable cellulite treatment that targets moderate to severe cellulite in a woman’s buttocks
Can CoolSculpting be used on the face?
While CoolSculpting is not typically used on the face, it can be used underneath the chin and jawline. If you are interested in facial fat reduction, you may wish to explore buccal fat pad removal.
Can I undergo subsequent CoolSculpting treatments to maintain my results?
Yes, maintenance sessions can help you sustain your new physique over the long term. However, you must remember that CoolSculpting does not replace diet and exercise, so you must maintain a healthy lifestyle to get the most out of your treatments.
What is the difference between CoolSculpting and liposuction?
CoolSculpting and liposuction both improve the contours of the body by reducing localized areas of fat. The key differences between CoolSculpting and liposuction include:
- Invasiveness: CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure, while liposuction is a surgical procedure that requires incisions.
- Anesthesia: CoolSculpting is performed without anesthesia, while liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia.
- Downtime: CoolSculpting has little to no downtime. Liposuction requires a week or two off work and has more aftercare requirements.
- Results: CoolSculpting provides subtle, natural improvements over time, while liposuction can provide more dramatic results in a single procedure.
What is the difference between CoolSculpting and CoolTone?
CoolTone is the sister procedure to CoolSculpting. While CoolSculpting focuses on fat, CoolTone can help strengthen, tone and firm your muscles. It works by using Active Magnetic Pulse (AMP) technology to stimulate thousands of muscle contractions in each 30-minute treatment session. Because they target different concerns, pairing CoolSculpting and CoolTone can deliver even more dramatic body contouring results.
What is the difference between CoolSculpting and Ultrashape?
UltraShape is a noninvasive fat destruction procedure that uses pulsed ultrasound energy to target unwanted fat. Because it does not rely on extreme temperatures to destroy fat cells, some patients find it more comfortable than fat freezing.
What happens to the fat after CoolSculpting?
Freezing fat cells triggers apoptosis, which is the process of cell death. The destroyed fat cells become a waste product and your body’s natural waste elimination system (the lymphatic system) gradually breaks them down. Once they are gone, they will not regenerate.
Expert Coolsculpting Treatment in San Francisco, CA
If you are ready to learn more about how Coolsculpting can help restore your confidence and build the appearance you’ve always desired, give our office a call at (415) 567-7200. You can also fill out our online contact form below to have a member of our team reach out to you at a better time. Feel free to include an ideal time in the message, and we will be happy to respond. We know you need a trusted partner throughout this process, and we are delighted to be the team you are considering.
