MORE FAQs

Who Is It For? 

Cryolipolysis isn't a way to lose weight. Your doctor might suggest it if you've tried diet  and exercise and haven't been able to get rid of certain fat bulges. 

You should also avoid cryolipolysis if you have:

• Loose skin 

• Poor skin tone 

• Cryoglobulinemia (a condition where abnormal proteins in your blood thicken in  cold temperatures) 

• Cold urticaria (a skin condition that causes hives on your skin when it gets cold) • Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (a type of anemia that destroys your red blood  cells when you're in cold temperatures) 

• Raynaud’s phenomenon 

You should also avoid it if you: 

• Can’t handle cold well 

• Are pregnant or nursing 

• Have obesity 

Cryolipolysis should not be done on areas where there are: 

• Varicose veins 

• Nerve problems 

• Rashes or lesions 

A doctor can use cryolipolysis to help you kill fat cells in areas of your body such as: 

• Under the chin and jawline 

• Thighs 

• Belly 

• Back and sides 

• Under the butt 

• Along the bra line 

• Upper arm 

CoolSculpting Risks 

You can get cryolipolysis done at your doctor's office, and you don't need to schedule  recovery time afterward. It's OK to drive yourself home from the appointment. 

There are a few side effects. During the process, you may feel a pulling or tugging on  your skin and an intense cold. Afterward, you may feel sore, like you've been exercising.  You may also swell a little. 

Rarely, cryolipolysis can cause mild or moderate pain afterward. You're also at a slight  risk of nerve pain.

Sometimes your skin can look less smooth afterward. Less than 1% of people who get it  done have a complication called paradoxical fat hyperplasia. When this happens, the  number of fat cells in the area of treatment increase instead of decrease. 

Paradoxical Fat Hyperplasia 

Paradoxical fat hyperplasia, or paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), is when the  number of fat cells in the treatment area go up instead of down. Research suggests it’s  rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of cases. The complication can cause a large, firm,  and typically painless mass under the skin in the treatment area. You might also notice a  change in bodyweight. 

PAH usually happens about 2 to 3 months after treatment. It can occur wherever you  were treated. Research suggests this is more likely to happen if: 

• You’re male 

• You're of Hispanic descent 

• A large handpiece was used during treatment 

• The procedure was done on your abdominal (or belly) region 

Other genetic factors may also play a role. 

Experts don’t think PAH can go away on its own. You may need: 

• Liposuction, a surgery that takes out fat from specific parts of your body • Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, a procedure that removes extra skin and fat from  your stomach 

Waiting a few months after your PAH occurs is suggested before getting liposuction.

CoolSculpting Effectiveness 

Studies show that cryolipolysis is safe and effective. The risks are few and rare. There's  no damage to your liver. Side effects are mild, too, and go away after a short time. On  average, it lessens the amount of fat in targeted areas by 10%-25%. 

Source: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/coolsculpting