Should I be massaging my coolsculpted area?

Question

Should I massage my coolsculpted area? It's been a week and the numbness is going already- no bruising- all good , but wondered if this would help or hinder my body healing?

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Hi,Immediately after Coolsculpting treatment, massage is very important. It helps break down the fat cells and  improves your results by 60 percent.

Coolsculpting is an excellent form of non-invasive  fat reduction for
the right patient. Some applicators take 1 or 2 hours but the new advantage
applicators take only 35 minutes and have significantly less risk for delayed
onset pain (especially in the abdomen). Results are seen at 2 months and
typically 1-3 treatments will be necessary on each area to achieve ideal
results. The number of treatments depends on the amount of fat there and the
patient's goals.  There is not downtime and the results can be impressive
in the right patient.  We also use the Zimmer Z-wave for improved patient
comfort and added results. The best candidates are those who are in pretty
good shape with areas of stubborn fat that won't go away no matter what.

My best,

Sheila Nazarian, MD, MMM

Beverly Hills, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Brian S. Glatt, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question! Massaging the treated area for 2 minutes in a kneading and circular motion immediately following treatment is very important in breaking down the crystalized cells. Once that is finished there is no added benefit in massaging the area yourself or having a massage performed in the treated area. CoolSculpting results are seen 3 months following treatment. Hope this helps!

Umang Mehta, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Immediately after a Coolsculpting treatment, massage is very important. The fat cells are still in a crystalized state so the massage is helpful in breaking them down. However, after two minutes there is no documented benefit to massage. One of the great benefits of Coolsculpting is that there is nothing you need to do after treatment to achieve desired results! Good luck with your recovery process!

Kind regards,

Dr. Mehta

Kind regards,

Dr. Mehta

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest you see an expert, yes you should be massaging or getting shock therapy like z wave/cellutone to enhance the outcomes of the coolsculpting.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.The massage is 3 minutes.The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.Best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Timothy Treece, MD, FACS · Answer

Immediately following treatments the provider is instructed to massage the area for at least 2 minutes. There is no evidence that other massage following treatments increases the effectiveness. If it feels good however, it will not harm you in any way or alter the results. Good Luck.

John K. Wakelin III, MD, FACS · Answer

The RN should massage the treated area immediately after the treatment for at least 2 minutes. Since you are about a week out I would not worry about doing so, this is not required but it certainly won't hurt you to do so. Best of Luck.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Massage by the physician treating you is recommended immediately after a CoolSculpting treatment but it does not need to be done later by the patient at home.  Massage at home would not harm anything but it is not felt to be beneficial to the results.

Robert Heck, MD, FACS · Answer

You do not have to massage for better results following cool sculpting. It certainly won't hurt you to do so, but this is not part of the post treatment plan. Best of Luck.

Stanley Kovak, MD · Answer

It is very important to massage the treated area immediately after CoolSculpting because the fat cells are still in a crystalized state - your provider should complete this action for you as soon as they finish the procedure. This massage is helpful in breaking down the destroyed fat cells; however, after a few minutes there is no documented benefit to performing the massage. Massaging the treated area after a week has not shown any additional benefits, nor has it been recorded to hinder any healing. If the mild discomfort (numbness, bruising, or soreness) you experienced after the treatment has already subsided, it sounds as if your body is healing and should be adsorbing the destroyed fat cells.