CoolSculpting (Zeltiq) for Cellulite Reduction

CoolSculpting is non-invasive body contouring treatment to get rid of unwanted bulges.  It does not eliminate cellulite. The good news is that FDA cleared Cellfina, a minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite for results that last at least two years.  A Cellfina treatment targets the primary structural septae under the dimpled area. One single treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Hello and thank you for asking this question! While it's been awhile, this is still a very popular, perhaps daily question in my practice. We provide CoolSculpting all day in our office, it is such popular and effective treatment for patients to reduce unwanted fat. But CoolSculpting is not a treatment for cellulite and I don't believe you should pursue it because of this.  

CoolSculpting works on nearly every area of the body, including common areas where cellulite appears most often. The upper thigh and lower buttock areas commonly present a combination of concerns for my female patients; unwanted fat as well as the appearance of cellulite. Because of this I believe that women are hopeful to find a single treatment solution, whether liposuction or CoolSculpting, to address both (with less fat in the area, it seems logical). As much as I hope for this outcome to satisfy my patients, I never encourage or lead them to expect it. Dimpled cellulite may become less visible (deep) when we reduce the fat in the area, but because the underlying cause has not been addressed (the (septae or vertical bands that tether the the skin to the muscle become and become fibrous and shorter), there is now way for the surface to appear completely level or smooth.  

In recent months, after personally experiencing the cellulite treatment, Cellfina, I purchased it for my practice. I don't know where you may be today in the pursuit of a treatment for cellulite, however I strongly recommend you consider Cellfina. I am thrilled with the results we're able to provide! If you're goal is to sculpt and rid the appearance of cellulite, a combination of these treatments are going to your very best option. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to share my thoughts and answer this question.

Jenn Harrington, MD

While some people may see a small improvement in cellulite following a CoolSculpting treatment, it is not the best treatment if your main concern is solely cellulite and not fat reduction. CoolSculpting is a device specifically intended for reduction of small areas of stubborn fat. For cellulite reduction, a better treatment may be Cellfina, which uses an automated subcision process to target the root cause of cellulite dimples and smooth them out. I recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist for a consultation to find the best treatment plan for your cellulite.