How does coolsculpting work?
CoolSculpting works by freezing fat cells under the skin, causing them to die and be naturally eliminated by your body over time.
At Element Body Lab, CoolSculpting is all we do. With locations in Dallas and Southlake, TX, we use the latest CoolSculpting Elite technology to create customized plans for noticeable results. Ready to transform stubborn areas? Book your consultation today!
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction treatment. It uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate stubborn fat. This process, called cryolipolysis, targets fat cells without surgery or downtime.
If you’ve struggled with stubborn areas like love handles or a double chin, CoolSculpting could be your solution.
Want to understand what it is and how it works? Check out this video from our founder, Jessie Poole. 👇👇
Here’s How CoolSculpting Works
CoolSculpting uses cold to kill fat. No really, that’s how it works. Let’s take a deeper look at the process.
- Target Subcutaneous Fat: Fat cells are sensitive to cold, which allows CoolSculpting to target stubborn fat layers under the skin without affecting surrounding tissues like blood vessels, nerves, or skin.
- Administer Controlled, Precise Cooling: Specialized applicators deliver controlled cooling to specific areas. The cold freezes fat cells, causing them to crystallize and begin breaking down.
- Trigger Fat Cell Death: The cold triggers a natural process called apoptosis, which is the programmed death of fat cells. These cells collapse and are no longer functional.
- Natural Elimination Over 12 Weeks: Over time, your body’s lymphatic system clears away the dead fat cells using macrophages, a type of immune cell. This process creates gradual and permanent fat reduction in the treated areas.
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What happens to fat during a CoolSculpting Treatment?
When the cooling starts, fat cells in the treatment area are frozen and destroyed. These cells won’t grow back—they’re gone for good!
Where does the fat go after CoolSculpting?
Your body naturally processes the dead fat cells through the lymphatic system. They’re broken down and eliminated as waste, leaving you with a slimmer, more sculpted look over time.
What type of fat does CoolSculpting treat?
CoolSculpting targets subcutaneous fat—the pinchable fat just beneath your skin. It’s not designed for visceral fat, which surrounds your organs.
Who is an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is great for
Healthy adults near their ideal weight
Looking to target specific problem areas, not overall weight loss.
Stubborn fat areas that won't budge
Examples: love handles, double chin, thighs or abdomen.
Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Prefer a non invasive treatment with no downtime.
Realistic Expectations
Understand that CoolSculpting reduceS fat by 20-25% per treatment, on average.
Willing to maintain results
Commit to a healthy lifestyle post-treatment for long lasting effects.
Who CoolSculpting is Not For:
You're pregnant or breastfeeding
CoolSculpting is not recommended or studied during these times.
You're seeking weight loss
Designed for fat reduction, not weight management.
You have a medical condition involving cold sensitivity
Conditions like cryoglobulenemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, and cold agglutenin disease are contraindications. Other health considerations exist as well.
You're not ready to invest in multiple treatments or qualified provider.
Most areas need more than one treatment to get the best results. A good provider is worth the cost because results last forever. (We also offer easy monthly payments.)
You have loose or excess skin
CoolSculpting does not tighten skin; other treatments might be better.
CoolSculpting vs. Weight Loss
When you loose weight, the volume of your fat cells decreases, but the number of fat cells overall stays the same. After a CoolSculpting treatment, targeted fat cells are eliminated so you have fewer fat cells in the treated areas. Untreated areas will have no change in fat cell distribution.
In other words…
Weight loss: Shrinks your fat cells but doesn’t reduce the number of them.
CoolSculpting: Eliminates fat cells permanently in treated areas.
Before & After Photos: Fat Reduction, Not Weight Loss
The history of CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting began with an observation: fat cells freeze and die at higher temperatures than other tissues. This discovery was first noted in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The research was inspired by an unusual phenomenon—children sucking on popsicles experienced fat loss in their cheeks due to the cold.
Read the Popsicle Panniculitis study published in The New England Journal of Medicine here.
During the study, researchers noticed a process called “cold-induced fat necrosis.” When kids left popsicles resting on their cheeks for several minutes, fat in the area solidified and was later eliminated, while the overlying skin remained unaffected.
This groundbreaking observation laid the foundation for cryolipolysis—the science behind CoolSculpting. Cryolipolysis translates to “cold (cryo) fat (lipo) destruction (lysis).” The research, backed by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, was led by two pioneers, Dieter Manstein, MD, and Rox Anderson, MD.
CoolSculpting History Timeline
CoolSculpting History Milestones
- 1970s: Popsicle Panniculitis Study. showcased relationship between cold exposure and fat cell death.
- 1980s: Equestrian Panniculitis Study observed fat loss in riders due to cold exposure. Showed that fat sensitivity wasn’t limited to infants.
- 1999: Discovery of cryolipolysis.
- 2008: Human studies confirm cryolipolyisis is effective.
- 2009: FDA approval for non-invasive fat reduction.
- 2014: Applicators expanded to treat more areas like arms and double chins.
- 2019: Long Term study confirmed permanent results (Adipose lipid turnover and long-term changes in body weight).
- 2021: CoolSculpting Elite introduced, with C-shaped cooling cups that treat 30% more tissue in the same time.
The Evolution of CoolSculpting Technology
After the initial discovery of cryolipolysis, the first cooling device was tested on pigs in 2007 to see if fat cells could be targeted and destroyed without harming the skin. The results were promising—it worked!
By 2009, CoolSculpting received FDA clearance for human use. Since then, the technology has evolved significantly. The latest version, CoolSculpting Elite, features C-shaped cooling cups that treat more fat in less time compared to earlier models.
What to expect during CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a simple, customized treatment designed to help you reach your body contouring goals.
Consultation & Preparation
Before your session, we’ll review your treatment plan, sign consents, take “before” photos, and mark the areas to treat. A gel pad is applied to protect your skin and ensure comfort during the session.
The CoolSculpting Treatment
- Sensation: You’ll feel a gentle pull from the applicator and intense cold for the first few minutes. The area quickly becomes numb.
- Relaxation: Many clients relax, read, watch TV, or nap during the treatment.
- Time: Sessions last 35-75 minutes per area, with full treatments typically taking 2-4 hours to ensure complete coverage.
Post Treatment Massage
After the applicator is removed, we massage the treated area to break up frozen fat cells and boost results. This only takes a few minutes and jump-starts the fat elimination process.
Back to Your Day
There’s no downtime after CoolSculpting—you can head straight back to your routine, whether that’s work, preschool pickup, or the gym. Mild redness, swelling, or tingling may occur but fades quickly.
Take a look at this treatment timelapse showing a lower abdomen treatment, start to finish. 👇👇
CoolSculpting Results: What to expect
How long does it take for CoolSculpting to work?
Most clients notice changes within 4-6 weeks as their body begins eliminating fat cells. Full results typically appear by the 3-month mark.
Will one CoolSculpting treatment work?
Yes, one treatment can produce noticeable results. However, additional sessions may be recommended for most areas to refine your contour or achieve the desired results.
What’s the average amount of time until you notice CoolSculpting Results?
Initial improvements usually appear within 1-2 months. By 3 months, you’ll see the full effect as your body naturally removes the fat cells.
Does CoolSculpting work right away?
CoolSculpting results are not immediate. Fat reduction happens gradually as your body processes the treated fat cells over several weeks.
What is the success rate of CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting reduces fat by an average of 20-25% in treated areas. Clinical studies show that 89.2% of patients are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” after two or more sessions on the same area.
What is the average response rate for CoolSculpting?
Most clients experience measurable fat reduction and high satisfaction. Choosing an experienced provider is key to achieving the best results.
Why choose Element Body Lab
We’re not just a CoolSculpting provider—we’re CoolSculpting specialists.
- National Trainer Leadership: Our owner teaches other providers how to achieve the best results.
- Exclusive Technology: We use CoolSculpting Elite for better, faster results.
- Noticeable Results Promise: We guarantee your results.
- Convenient Virtual Consultations: Start your journey with us from the comfort of home.