Can coolsculpting cause stretchmarks? Abdomen coolsculpted yesterday. (photo)

Question

I had my abdomen coolscupted with for the first time yester (2 applications on each lower abdomen). The area felt tender after the treatment but when I got home I saw these red marks which I am so afraid it could be stretchmarks! Is this normal and can I do anything with it? I am very worried right now.

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Don't worry! A little redness after CoolSculpting is perfectly normal and will not last. Because CoolSculpting reduces the volume of fat underneath the skin rather than adding to it, your skin is not stretched. 
 
CoolSculpting uses a patented technique called cryolipolysis to lower the temperature of a treated area enough to send fat cells into apoptosis (slow cell death), but not enough to have any permanent effects on skin, muscle, organs, or any other tissues. Some patients do find that they are tender, swollen and pink or red for a few days after CoolSculpting. If the redness lasts more than a couple of weeks, then please consult your board-certified dermatologist.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Coolsculpting does not cause stretch marks. What you may be experiencing is redness or bruising in the treatment area which are common side effects of the treatment. This may last up to two weeks. Please consult with your provider if you are concerned. Regards,

Garry K. Kim, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting will not affect skin integrity.  It can cause temporary bruising, swelling and redness.  These visible changes will usually go away after a couple of days.  But permanent changes like stretch marks are not a feature of CoolSculpting. 
What you have actually look like scratch marks.  Stretch marks will feel like divots or burrows when you run your fingers across the lines.  I suspect that you will see those lines gradually fade over the next few days.  
Hope this helps,
Dr. Garry K. Kim

Michael Temkin, DO · Answer

No- CoolSculpting will not cause stretch marks. It is a non invasive fat reduction procedure with no long term side effects. Immediately after the treatment you will notice the skin is red and firm but after the patient has been given the massage the area generally regains its natural skin tone. In some cases there may be bruising. This will vary from patient to patient.

Patrick M. Moore, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is a very forgiving procedure on the skin.  The skin usually tightens up as the fat is eliminated by the body.

Carmen C. Munteanu, MD, FRACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear that you are worried.
Cool sculpting does not cause stretch marks. I am not sure based on the photos you sent about the marking, if you had a proper treatment with a Zeltiq machine, you should not have any permanent marks on your body, you might experience some red marks, similar to a love bite or limited bruising. They tend to disappear very quickly, in days after treatment. However, two applications in the sam session is not common practice or recommended, I am not sure what treatment protocol you had.
I would suggest to double check with your provider as to what treatment and what consequences.
Good luck and all the best!

Can coolsculpting cause stretchmarks? Abdomen coolsculpted yesterday. (photo)

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