Is CoolSculpting permanent?

CoolSculpting fat freezing treatment, West Malling, Maidstone, Kent

Regardless of how well we eat and how consistently we exercise, most of us have stubborn pockets of fat that we struggle to eliminate no matter how hard we try – in fact, 85 per cent of people worldwide claim that excess body fat is their number one aesthetic concern. Luckily, there are non-invasive treatments that can help, and the best-known body treatment – CoolSculpting – has been a popular way of reducing defiant areas of fat for the past decade. But if you’re considering exploring fat freezing for your concerns, you may have questions about how the procedure works. And one question that we’re most often asked is, “Are CoolSculpting results truly permanent?’ So, let’s find out.

How does CoolSculpting work?

To understand whether CoolSculpting can deliver permanent results, it’s crucial to understand how the procedure works. Unlike more invasive procedures such as liposuction, CoolSculpting doesn’t physically destroy fat or surrounding tissues, which can be very traumatic. Instead, the fat cells are exposed to extremely low temperatures that cause them to shrink and die – however, the surrounding tissues remain unharmed. Once the fat cells have died, they are eliminated by the body and the definition, shape and smoothness of that area is improved.

CoolSculpting uses the technique of precisely controlled cooling, known as cryolipolysis, to focus on the fat cells under the skin, leaving the surface unaffected. It works by destroying the subdermal fat cells in particular areas using a cooling applicator. Once these fat cells have been treated, the body begins to process the frozen matter, which is eliminated over a few months. The procedure permanently destroys the targeted cells, so once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. So, let’s look at what this means.

How permanent is permanent? 

What we mean by this is the number of fat cells that die as a result of the treatment can never come back. As an adolescent, your fat cell number is already set. As we get older, we make those fat cells grow by gaining weight or shrink by losing weight. But fat cells can’t regrow once they have been killed and eliminated from the body.

However, if you gain weight, the remaining fat cells in that area can expand and become more prominent. So, it is possible to regain fat in a treated area, but usually, it will be more evenly distributed. CoolSculpting results are very well maintained if you maintain a stable, healthy weight, so you must implement a balanced, nutritious diet and exercise regime following your treatment.

What results should you expect?

Typically, you will start to see results approximately four weeks post-treatment, but maximum results are seen in three to four months. With each cycle, a 20 to 25% reduction in the fat layer can be achieved. Depending on the amount of fat you’re hoping to eliminate, you may require multiple rounds of treatment to see the desired results. This is typically true when treating areas such as the abdomen and thighs.

And when it comes to the longevity of results, as previously mentioned, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial when you undergo CoolSculpting. Our CoolSculpting patients have gone for years maintaining their newly sculpted figures. If you can maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle, there is no reason why your CoolSculpting results can’t last a lifetime.

Are you a good candidate for treatment?

CoolSculpting works best for people with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, within 20 pounds of their ideal weight. You’ll also need more than ⅔ of an inch of pinchable fat to fit into the CoolSculpting applicator.

The best candidate is of a relatively healthy weight with small problem areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. The more fat you have, the more treatments are needed to see an outcome, and the less substantial the results will be. If you have a BMI between 25 to 30, you may need two or three treatments to see significant results.

If you’d like to find out more about CoolSculpting and how it can help you achieve your goals, click here to book a free consultation with our team of experts.