CoolSculpting no massage: technician only very briefly rubbed the area.

Question

I had coolsculpting on my stomach but the technician only very briefly rubbed the area. I have read that massaging is very important to the coolsculpting results. Will I still see a good difference in the treated area even without the massage?

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Massage after CoolSculpting helps break up the destroyed fat cells and creates more uniform final results.  I’ve seen that massage can improve your results by about 10% when performed right after freezing. However, you should still see a difference in your figure, even if you didn’t receive a massage, of up to 25% fat removal with one session.  It’s closer to 35% reduction with massage.
Also, for your next CoolSculpting session, I’d recommend finding a board-certified dermatologist who also offers Zimmer Z-Wave radial pulsed therapy. This is  more effective than manual massage and can really give you amazing results.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is recommended to firmly massage the treated area for 2 minutes immediately after the applicator is removed. You will likely still see results as long as the rest of the Coolsculpting treatment was performed according to the manufacturers recommendations. Best to follow up with your provider.  All the best.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Massage for two minutes after a CoolSculpting treatment is recommended and has been shown to provide improved results, but I think you would still see some effect from a treatment even without the massage.  I would recommend that if you have any future treatments, that the area be massaged after the procedure.

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Massage after coolsculpting is important according to the studies. having said that every clinic has their own experience and might be if your clinic has great results but their massage technique is different it will work for you. If you have gone through their pre and post and this is how they do coolsculpting to everyone then there is nothing to worry. But time will tell. Good luck.

Cavendish Clinic - Fitzrovia · Answer

Hello, this is a brilliant question and the answer is absolutely yes! We see a huge difference with massage and the key is to massage immediately upon removing the applicator. As per the previous answers, your practitioner should be properly trained and hopefully it was with genuine CoolSculpting. If you are at all worried, your clinic won't mind you contacting them for reassurance.

Ravi Jain, MBBS · Answer

Massaging for 2 mins has been carefully studied and shown to increase fat cell death by up to 68%! Whether or not your practitioner has been trained in the technique yet I cannot say. But I am sure that all who use the genuine Coolsculpt systems and not copycat devices, will be up to date with the latest protocols.

R. Stewart Collins, MD · Answer

Great question, lyra7! You are correct that massaging helps achieve better results because it helps break up the destroyed fat cells. While you may see results without massage, they will be more pronounced when your provider massages the area immediately after treatment. If you are interested in getting another treatment, be sure to ask your provider about Zimmer Z-wave radial pulsed therapy, as it’s extremely quick and effective.

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

This is a great question. Studies have shown that there is a 68% better result from CoolSculpting when the treatment is immediately followed by a vigorous 2 minute massage.  The massage further damages the frozen cells so that there is a more uniform result. I'm sure that you will get results from your CoolSculpting treatment, but they may not be as impressive as if you had been administered the massage. Zeltiq, the parent company trains all CoolSculpting practitioners to do the massage.  Good luck with your results!

Warren B. Seiler III, MD · Answer

Great question. You should still see results, however, best results are seen if the full two minute massage is performed immediately after the treatment. A study done recently showed a 67% better result so it has been proven that the massage really increases the result by helping to break up some of the crystallization of the fat cells and even help to stimulate a more complete fat cell death in those fat cells that are "on the fence" regarding the cellular death process after treatment.

Vinay Aggarwal, MD · Answer

Excellent question! While you will definitely still see your results within the timetable your doctor has given you, it is important to massage the area post-treatment, as a means of getting air and blood-flow back in the area, so that the numbness subsides and your stomach can begin contouring itself.

CoolSculpting no massage: technician only very briefly rubbed the area.

Answers (19)

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