How long does the fat stay frozen after a CoolSculpting procedure?

Question

Following a CoolSculpt session does the fat stay frozen for a few hours? days? the entire time the cells are dying and passing out of your system?

Hung William Song, MD · Answer

Hi this is a great question! CoolSculpting freezes the fat during the procedure and then it starts to thaw just like when you take meat out of the freezer. However, the fat is not frozen solid, it is just frozen enough to form crystals within the cells so the thawing process after CoolSculpting will take place faster than with the frozen meat. The freezing process is enough to kill some of the cells for good and they will not come back, but to ensure that the maximum number of fat cells are destroyed, a vigorous massaging of the frozen cells will cause them to burst thus preventing them form coming back to life. We actually use an acoustic wave device in our practice using sound waves to pulverize the frozen fat. Sound waves can break up solid (frozen) fat but does not hurt soft tissue. This is the same concept when we use acoustic waves to break up kidney stones. The point is, the secret to getting the best results is the massage that occurs right after you come off the machine. The massage needs to be done within minutes of the CoolSculpting treatment before the fat thaws. This is why some clinics consistently get great results with CoolSculpting while others get poor results. The skill of the technician is the key.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Most patients require a second treatment 2 to 3 months after the first to see better outcomes. For best results with Coolsculpting, a combination approach is needed. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, truSculpt iD, Venus Legacy, and Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing.

If you still have specific problem areas that do not respond to non-invasive treatments, a VASER Hi-Definition Liposuction procedure with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J-Plasma), and InMode BodyTite may be needed to give more fat removal, contouring, skin tightening, and definition.​ I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a hi-definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hamid Bimesl, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting is a process of “cryolipolysis” or destruction of fat cells through cold temperatures. Cryolipolysis delivers cold temperatures that target subcutaneous fat below the skin. This cold temperature begins to break down the cell walls exposing subcutaneous fat to be reabsorbed by the lymphatic system and excreted over a few weeks to months. The fat is not necessarily frozen as CoolSculpting delivers temperatures around 4 degrees but this temperature shrinks and exposes the subcutaneous fat causing destruction and overall death of the cell. Therefore these fat cells can remain destructed in the body for several weeks up to 3 months. Results may continue to develop for up to 6 months as these fat cells naturally leave the body.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

The fat cells are frozen during the CoolSculpting treatment, but once the treatment is over, the temperature of the cells will gradually raise to body temperature over the course of minutes.  The fat cells that are destroyed during the treatment will gradually be disposed of by the body over the course of about 12 weeks.

Amy Brenner, MD · Answer

Great Question! The fat in the area treated is cooled during the treatment. Immediately after the treatment finishes, the body starts to warm the area back to room temperature so it feels cold to touch for just a few minutes. The goal of the treatment is to damage the fat cells as much as possible then your body excretes the damaged fat cells over the three month process. Hope this helps!

Dmitriy Schwarzburg, MD · Answer

During the CoolSculpting procedure your fat cells will be completely frozen. Once the applicator is removed, the fat cells will slowly go back to regular body temperature, however since they were frozen they are dead. Over the course of the following weeks, your body then metabolizes the dead fat cells.

Harold L. Kent, MD (retired) · Answer

Small ice crystals can form during your Coolsculpting treatment since fat isn't as well supplied with blood as are other tissues. These are gone within a short time after your actual treatment. However, fat cells have an optimum temperature range in which they can survive. If they are subjected to temperatures that are above or below this temperature range for a period, then the more temperature sensitive cells will not survive. Our skin and subcutaneous tissues contain nerves--which we don't want to freeze--but the nerves are bundled in with arteries and veins (a neurovascular bundle) so that they have better temperature regulation than fatty tissue itself. Freezing fat to the point where it would remain frozen for a long time would be expected to cause nerve injury. The time and temperature variations in a Coolsculpting treatment have been studied in animal and human models and adjusted to yield good results without causing injury to essential structures.

How long does the fat stay frozen after a CoolSculpting procedure?

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