CoolSculpting is undoubtedly one of the most in-demand body contouring procedures that can reduce fat and help patients look and feel better in their clothes.
It’s especially appealing to many women and men because it can blast stubborn bulges in the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, and chin without surgery, incisions, or downtime.
Nevertheless, like any procedure, CoolSculpting does carry some serious risks and side effects.
Here are four possible side effects of CoolSculpting that you should consider before undergoing this fat freezing treatment.
1. Tugging of Skin at the Treatment Site
CoolSculpting destroys up to 24 percent of subcutaneous fat cells with very cold temperatures.
Patients can expect to have the trouble spot photographed, marked and then suctioned into an applicator that delivers cooling through two panels.
In most offices and advertisements, this process is said to be well-tolerated by most individuals, but it can result in a hard tugging of the skin during each treatment cycle that is pretty uncomfortable.
2. Pain, Stinging and Aching
Although CoolSculpting is able to target fat without harming skin or surrounding structures, patients have reported feeling mild pain, stinging, and aching soon after the procedure begins.
These effects are believed to be related to the intense cold and can last from three-to-11 days. They typically resolve on their own.
3. Redness, Swelling, and Bruising of Skin
Once the CoolSculpting cycle has ended and the device is detached from the treatment area, patients may note redness, swelling, and bruising.
While these symptoms subside within a few hours for a majority of individuals, they can persist for a couple of weeks in others.
They are likely caused by inflammation of skin from cold temperatures and pressure exacted by the CoolSculpting handpiece, but do not pose any long-term risks.
4. Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is an extremely rare adverse event associated with CoolSculpting. It occurs when the fat cells in the treatment area become larger and present as a fixed and hardened mass under the skin.
While this condition is only an aesthetic concern, it can be quite disconcerting for patients. Fortunately, it is easily remedied with laser liposuction after a period of several months, which will ultimately produce desired fat reduction.
Overall, CoolSculpting can be a safe procedure, but it does have some serious risks associated with it which each individual considering body contouring should understand.
To learn more about the best body contouring procedures available for you, such as SculpSure and Emsculpt, please call our office today to schedule an appointment.