CoolSculpting quickly became one of the most popular body contouring treatments recently for a good reason – it effectively eliminates double chin, saddlebags, and other unwanted body fat that a healthy diet and exercise can’t get rid of. Although it doesn’t require cosmetic surgery, CoolSculpting patients should still follow aftercare instructions to ensure that they get their desired results.
So how does CoolSculpting work and what should patients do to take care of the treated area after the procedure? CoolSculpting is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fat-freezing technology to destroy excess fat pockets so the body can flush them out naturally. After their CoolSculpting session, patients are advised to massage the treated area, use a warm compress, stay active and hydrated, avoid particular foods, and take painkillers as needed.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!
Millions of people in the U.S. want to try non-invasive fat reduction treatments for themselves, but CoolSculpting understandably remains the most common procedure used by doctors – it’s a safe and effective fat reduction treatment that uses a controlled cooling technique to freeze the unwanted fat cells and flush them out naturally.
Although this is a quick and easy procedure that doesn’t require plastic surgery, patients may still experience some mild side effects after their treatment session. CoolSculpting aftercare is important to minimize common but mild side effects like pain, numbness, and itching in the treatment area. It also ensures that patients achieve the best results they want quickly.
Here are some of the best tips to follow for your CoolSculpting fat reduction aftercare:
It’s common for providers to massage the treatment area right after a CoolSculpting procedure to enhance the treatment’s results. Massaging the treated area helps break down the frozen fat further. It also improves blood flow in the area so the lymphatic system can easily flush out the dead fat cells.
For the best CoolSculpting result, make sure to massage the treated area a few times a day for several days after the treatment session. Your provider will tell you how to massage the treated area properly after the procedure.
Warm compress is typically used for many conditions like sore muscles, muscle spasms, and menstrual pain, but it can also be used for CoolSculpting aftercare. Applying a warm compress to the treated area reduces pain and cramps there. It also stimulates blood flow to ease the discomfort that patients usually experience after their CoolSculpting treatment.
Aside from alleviating uncomfortable symptoms after the procedure, applying a warm compress also helps speed up recovery for the patient. Make sure to apply a warm compress throughout the day whenever there’s soreness or pain in the treated area.
Staying hydrated is important in maintaining good overall health, but it’s especially helpful during CoolSculpting recovery. The body needs water to process the dead fat cells, so drinking water supports natural processes for lymphatic removal and allows patients to see CoolSculpting’s slimming effects.
On the flip side, dehydration may cause the body to retain fluids which leads to swelling – another common CoolSculpting side effect. Since alcoholic beverages increase the patient’s risk of bruising and have diuretic effects that can cause dehydration, it’s crucial to avoid drinking them for a few days after the treatment.
Maintaining a stable body weight after the procedure is essential to prolong the effects of body sculpting treatments like CoolSculpting. After their treatment, CoolSculpting patients are advised to avoid any food that may contribute to weight gain – such as carbs, sugars, and processed foods.
For the best CoolSculpting results, the patient’s diet should mainly consist of whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and fruits. The frozen fat cells flushed out of the body won’t return to the treated area, but new ones may still develop there – negating the results of the treatment.
Most patients only experience mild CoolSculpting side effects like minimal discomfort rather than pain. But if the patient’s pain threshold is below average, then they can ask their provider to recommend a safe painkiller based on their health history.
Most patients only need to take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medicines also help reduce inflammation, so it’s important to only take the right dosage as recommended by the provider.
CoolSculpting is a safe and effective fat reduction and body sculpting treatment, but it might not be the best treatment option for everyone. For one, CoolSculpting shouldn’t be a weight loss alternative since it only targets stubborn fat cells in the problem areas of the body.
To ensure that what you’re experiencing after the CoolSculpting treatment is normal, here are some things to expect and look out for:
Since CoolSculpting doesn’t require a long recovery time, most patients can return to their normal daily routine immediately after their treatment session. In some cases, minor side effects like redness, numbness, and soreness may occur but they typically subside after a few weeks even without intervention.
There isn’t a contraindication for laser hair removal or skin care laser treatment, so patients can still get them a few weeks before or after a CoolSculpting treatment. Just make sure to let your provider know of your other treatments before proceeding with CoolSculpting.
Bruises may appear on the skin after a CoolSculpting treatment because the pressure of the applicator’s suction may break some blood vessels near the surface of the skin. It’s typically a common but mild side effect that patients don’t have to be worried about.
The degree of bruising varies per patient, depending on how their body reacts to the treatment. The good news is that bruising recovers on its own within 2 to 3 weeks after the CoolSculpting procedure.
Numbness is a normal occurrence during the CoolSculpting treatment, but some patients may also experience prolonged numbness after their procedure. The treated site may become numb for about 1 to 3 weeks, but medical intervention isn’t needed unless the discomfort worsens or persists for a couple of weeks more.
Itching occurs during and after CoolSculpting treatments because of the body’s inflammatory response to eliminating frozen fat cells. The applicator numbs the nerves in the treatment site, which affects the patient’s senses and nervous system. As the affected nerves wake up from being frozen, patients may experience localized itching that lasts for a few days.
It’s important to avoid scratching the treatment area when it itches to avoid any side effects or complications. Patients can take antihistamines to relieve itching, but it’s important to avoid any anti-inflammatory medication because it can interrupt the fat-reduction process.
Like bruising and numbing, pain and itching are also normal side effects of CoolSculpting. Most patients said that the pain and itching they experienced are tolerable, but some patients may still take painkillers and antihistamines to ease the symptoms as recommended by the provider.
Although CoolSculpting is a minimally invasive fat reduction and body sculpting treatment, aftercare is still crucial to minimize the risk of side effects and ensure that patients achieve the best results. Aside from following aftercare tips, it’s also important for patients to find the best CoolSculpting provider to safely perform the treatment for them.
NJ Center for CoolSculpting is a trusted medical spa that specializes in CoolSculpting treatments to help patients reduce unwanted fat in their bodies. In addition to regular CoolSculpting procedures, we also offer CoolSculpting Elite for better fat reduction results in a shorter time. Call us today for a CoolSculpting consultation.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!