Will CoolSculpting cause loose skin? (photos)

Question

I’ve been told a goo candidate for Coolsculpting. Ive already asked question about Coolsculpting but forgot to ask.....Will Coolsculpting cause my skin to be loose?

Deborah Pan, MD · Answer

Unfortunately the amount of skin retraction is based on each individual's skin quality. If they are no stretch marks and skin is thick, it should retract nicely. But there are no promises that skin cannot loosen after Coolsculpting.

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Great question and best way to determine that would be in person consultation to see the laxity of your skin but looking at your pics I don't think you will have any issues with laxity. Coolsculpting removes fat by slow gradual process and there is an inflammatory stage so the skin does get time to adapt to the fat lost resulting in no significant skin laxity.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is good for removing stubborn areas of fat, but lacks skin tightening. However, this will depend on skin laxity and needs an in-person evaluation. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, depending on skin laxity. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Judging from your pictures, I do not think you will have any problem with loose skin after a CoolSculpting treatment.  If there is not excess skin prior to the treatment, CoolSculpting generally will not cause loose skin to develop.  If there is excess skin present before the treatment, this will not be improved after CoolSculpting.

Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is a great one and a very common one in busy CoolSculpting practices.  While cryolypolysis (the mechanism behind CoolSculpting) is great at eliminating fat it does not unto itself provide skin contraction.  The best canddidates for CoolSculpting have skin with good recoil and elasticity.  In these cases the skin naturally molds to the smaller fat pocket and looks great.  In patients with poor elasticity (often older patients) the skin can become more wrinkled as the fat shrinks away.  These patients should consider a procedure that includes skin excision.  If you are going to see an experienced CoolSculpting center run by a Board Certified plastic surgeon, they should be able to evaluate your particular situation and provide you with the best option available.  My advice would be careful about going to a CoolSculpting center run by someone other than an accomplished plastic surgeon, as they are unlikely to be able to offer you surgical options and therefore may tend toward "selling" you something that is not the best for you.Best of luck,Dr. L

Marina Plastic Surgery of Los Angeles · Answer

HI and thank you for your question! 
Coolsculpting is great for excess fat in the abdominal area. We would recommend multiple cycles and at least two treatments. Exact treatment plan would have to be determined at the in-person consultation. Coolsculpting would not loosen your skin, but it is not used as a skin tightening procedure. So the loose skin that is there will likely still be there, unless surgical intervention is taken. Often times, "debulking" the area and reducing the excess fat pockets allows people to feel more comfortable and happy with their result. 
Best of Luck, 
Jennifer Tinelli, NP-C

Shamim Shakibai, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting is not a skin tightening procedure, but can eliminate a percentage of the subcutaneous tissue in the problem area. There are skin tightening treatments that use RadioFrequency energy and lasers. All of these are temporary and would require maintenance; surgery is the only permanent option. I would suggest seeking a certified CoolSculpting center near you and getting an in-depth consultation. Best of luck!

Shareef Jandali, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is a treatment used to help to decrease stubborn fat. It works by cooling adipose tissues in order to break down fat cells over a period of time. While it does not necessarily help with skin tightening of the abdomen, it will not cause the skin to become more loose. I recommend you speak with your provider in person for a full in office evaluation, and to discuss treatment expectations, prior to the procedure.

Tianna Tsitsis, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting does not cause loose skin.  If you loose fat due to Coolsculpting then there will be less weight pulling on your skin so it can appear that the skin got tighter.  If you already have poor skin integrity (stretch marks or looseness due to sun damage) Coolsculpting will not make that appear any better once the fat is gone.    It takes 1-3 months to see results from Coolsculpting so your skin should have adequate time to retract without being loose.  You could always do skin tightening post Coolsculpting if loose skin develops.  If you are that concerned about it, make sure the provider you see for Coolsculpting has a modality for skin tightening.  Good luck.

Will CoolSculpting cause loose skin? (photos)

Answers (9)

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