How cold are the treatments?

“Cold” is a
relative term and will vary by individual perception. In terms of
temperature, the fat is lowered to about 14-degrees Fahrenheit during
CoolSculpting – enough to freeze it without affecting surrounding
skin or other tissue. While this may seem “cold,” most patients
feel the chill for only a few moments; it soon develops into a
sensation of numbness.

At our center, we
use the CoolAdvantage applicators, which nearly halve treatment time
to just about 35 minutes per area. We can also treat more than one
area of the body simultaneously with our DualSculpting System –
which also lessens overall treatment time.
I've found that my
patients tolerate the CoolSculpting procedure very well and have
little to no discomfort. Afterward, it is common to experience some
bruising, swelling, and/or numbness that may last from hours to days.
Most patients opt for another treatment or two spaced about two weeks
apart, as only 20% to 30% of fat can be removed from an area at one
time. It will take two to three several months before your body can
completely eliminate the destroyed fat cells and reveal your final
results. Please see a board-certified dermatologist who has expertise
in sculpting the body with CoolSculpting and CoolAdvantage.

CoolSculpting® uses controlled cooling to freeze fat cells while preserving surrounding tissue, in a process known as cryolipolysis. Depending upon the type of applicator used, the cooling panel can get down to about -10 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you won’t actually feel these cold temperatures, as the initial cooling sensation will give way to numbness.  For best results, always consult with a certified CoolSculpting® Technician.

 

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. The panels can get as cold as -10 C which is the tempt. needed to freeze the fat; however, the skin is completely protected.

My best,

Sheila Nazarian, MD, MMM

Beverly Hills, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

It's -10-11 C depending on the applicator that is used. What you will feel is the suction and then the cold alms numbs the area. I have not had any clients cease treatment due the cold feeling if that comforts you at all. The outer thigh panel is cold and almost itchy but again, not one client has ever stopped the treatment due to the cold feelings. The safety studies show this temperature destroys only the fat cells but surrounding tissue is unharmed. Best of Luck. 

In coolsculpting treatments, it “cools” the area to be treated to reduce the fat. The cooling panels can get down to -10Celcius. Theoretically fat freezing at 4 degree Celsius. This is higher than the freezing point of water. The temperature that coolsculpting achieves is above the freezing point of water, so that it can leave in-tact other viable cells and destroy the fat cells.

During a CoolSculpting treatment, there is a cold sensation that the patient feels, but after several minutes this sensation normally goes away because the area becomes numb.  The temperature of the cooling approaches the freezing point of water but does not go all the way there so that the skin is not damaged.  

Because fat freezes at a higher temperature than water, the CoolSculpting device will only lower the temperature in the treated area to about 39 degrees Farenheit. While that is quite cold, most patients do not experience an actual “cold” sensation for long, as it quickly transforms into numbness. Some patients may feel uncomfortable or itchy while their tissue is being treated by the applicator, but I have never had a patient who did not tolerate the procedure well. Please find a board-certified dermatologist to administer your CoolSculpting sessions to get the best results. 

CoolSculpting is an FDA approved procedure that uses cooling to destroy fat cells without damaging the skin or surrounding tissue. This process, known as cryolipolysis, safely and effectively targets the fat cells using a number of different applicators. The temperature for the cooling panels will vary depending on the applicator used, but can be expected to reach between -10 and -13 degrees Celsius (~14 to 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Initially you will feel a cooling sensation; however, this will dissipate to numbness as the procedure progresses. We have found that our patients feel cool in the treatment area for a brief period at the start of the procedure, but after ~10 minutes they do not feel anything and do not experience cold throughout the CoolSculpting treatment.

Coolsculpting cools the skin down but in a protected way so that the fat is frozen but the skin on top is protected.  Best, Dr. Green