How Long Until I See Results from CoolSculpting®?

You’ve worked hard to get fit and lose weight. Now you’re ready to finish off your journey with nonsurgical, FDA-cleared CoolSculpting®. Congratulations on making a great decision! 

At Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, our team uses revolutionary, pain-free CoolSculpting to freeze unwanted fat cells in your body’s trouble zones, including your belly, hips and thighs, arms and back, and even under your chin.

Dr. Christopher Brooks and the care team selected CoolSculpting because it’s highly effective, giving patients an average 20% reduction of fat in the treatment areas, and it’s safe, targeting only the fat cells you want removed while leaving the surrounding tissues safe. 

Many of our patients want to know how long they’ll have to wait to see results after CoolSculpting, and we’re glad you asked. Dr. Brooks and the team are committed to giving patients all the information they need to make informed decisions about their aesthetic treatments. 

That’s why we created this informative guide explaining how CoolSculpting works and when you can expect to see results.

How long before I see results after CoolSculpting?

Most patients start seeing results after their CoolSculpting treatments in about three weeks. The treated areas start to shrink as the frozen fat cells die and are carried out of your body along with other cellular waste.

Over the next several weeks, your results will continue to improve as more dead fat cells are removed from your body. Depending on the size of your treatment areas, it can take four to six months for your final results to appear. That means now is the perfect time to get started to see results this summer!

Keep in mind that even though some patients can reach their goal after one session, most patients benefit from a series of treatments. The number of CoolSculpting sessions needed depends on the treatment area and how much sculpting you desire.

Some areas, like the fat under your chin, might only need one to two treatment sessions, while others, like your buttocks or back, may need five to six sessions. Your Brooks Plastic Surgery provider customizes your CoolSculpting plan based on your needs. On average, most patients meet their goals with two to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart.

Why aren’t CoolSculpting results immediate?

CoolSculpting works by destroying fat cells in the targeted treatment area. The process by which cells die is called apoptosis, and it occurs whenever old cells stop working properly. 

During apoptosis, the damaged cell begins to shrink and separate from the surrounding cells. As the cell gets smaller, its DNA splits then fragments, causing the rest of the cell to do the same. 

Part of your body’s immune system, called the lymphatic system, can detect these cell fragments. It sends other cells called phagocytic cells to the area with the dead cells, where they’re carried away and disposed of with other cellular waste. 

This process takes time, which is why your CoolSculpting results aren’t immediately visible. It’s worth the wait, however, since CoolSculpting results are permanent. Once your fat cells are removed, they won’t grow back. 

If you gain weight, however, the fat cells in other areas of your body will swell and increase in size. To maintain your new silhouette, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight, keep eating right, and exercise regularly. 

Ready to get started with CoolSculpting for a better body by summer? Schedule an appointment at Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, to get started.