After 26 minutes, my chin CoolSculpt had a thermal event but remained for the rest of the time in machine. Worried (Photo)

Hi there! Thanks for your question! There should be no harm due to the thermal event. The sensors in the CoolSculpting applicator will detect a problem and automatically shut off the cooling. The area will need to be treated again for the full 45 minutes to get best results. Best of luck!

Although there is no harm being on the applicator for the remaining 19 min of your cycle, there was no benefit either.  The suction is still being applied, but the cold is not.  They should have removed the applicator and started all over.  You did not get a full treatment if you did not make it at least 40 minutes and you should be treated again. 

You shouldn't have any long term side effects or adverse effects due to the thermal event that occurred during your treatment.  Some redness, swelling and perhaps even mild bruising are common after treatment, even if you didn't complete it.  There is no harm in having left the applicator in place for the additional 19 minutes.  Coolsculpting is very safe and effective.  When the sensors within the applicator detect a problem with skin contact or anything involving the treatment, the treatment is interrupted/stopped.  Your skin had already re-warmed to normal temperature by the time the applicator was removed.  It is normal to wait at least 24 hours to retreat an area and treat for the entire cycle again.  

In the event of a thermal event the applicator is removed and treatment is postponed. There was no harm or benefit in this situation. The treatment area needs to be treated again at the full 45 minutes to get an accurate treatment.  

When a thermal event happens in our practice, we promptly remove the applicator from the affected area.  We then do not retreat this area for at least 24hours.  I am not sure why you remained on the machine after the thermal event, the machine is usually not operable at that point and no cooling is happening.

You should not see an adverse effects from the thermal event. There was no benefit to continuing the treatment for the additional 19 minutes. Normally when this happens in our practice the applicator is removed, the area is wiped free of gel  fresh gel is re-applied. When then re- apply the applicator and restart the treatment for the remaining amount of time. You may want to contact your treatment provider and  discuss the issue with them. 

Thank you for your question. If your Coolsculpt device issued a thermal event, then most likely the machine's cooling system automatically shut off. For safety, the device is programmed to shut down in cases of vacuum loss and temperature variations. Although you did not receive the full treatment  it would have been reasonable to perform massage at the time of the the event. You should discuss with your Coolsculpt physician when you can redo your treatment and without additional cost. Hope this helps.