Will CoolSculpting on My Neck Create Saggy Skin?

A few years ago, neck contouring was limited to a handful of surgical procedures. In order to reduce fat under the chin, patients needed to get neck liposuction; on the other hand, if you wanted to tighten sagging skin and jowls, you would need to undergo a neck lift surgery. These surgical procedures were costly and required a lot of recovery time, which is why non-surgical options had to be developed. One treatment is called CoolSculpting, which can eliminate unwanted fat and improve skin laxity around the neck with zero downtime. 

So will getting a CoolSculpting on the neck create saggy skin? No, it won’t. In fact, the opposite happens. The CoolMini applicator designed for CoolSculpting is FDA-approved for reducing fat under the skin and tightening loose skin, as it freezes fat and contours the neck without leaving excess skin behind. CoolSculpting allows patients to get rid of the unwanted fat gradually, so no frustrating skin flaps are left behind. 

Does CoolSculpting Create Sagging Skin?

Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or undergo certain fat reduction procedures often observe that when the fat bulge is gone, lax skin may take the double chin’s place. 

Liposuction, for example, is a popular surgical procedure for neck tightening. In order to get rid of stubborn fat in the neck and chin, incisions are made behind the ears. The fat is manually broken up and vacuumed out by a liposuction cannula, before the neck muscle is tightened and the incisions are stitched up. The plastic surgery process takes out the unwanted fat to create new contours, but stretch marks and sagging skin appear because of the rapid fat loss. 

On the other hand, CoolSculpting approaches the problem a little differently through the science of cryolipolysis. The non-surgical treatment freezes the fat cells in the treatment area with the CoolMini, which is designed to treat smaller pockets of fat in the submental area -- under the chin, the jawline, and the neck. When the fat cells are frozen, the body will naturally eliminate the fat tissues as waste over the following weeks. 

Why CoolSculpting Works 

The key difference is that the body itself does the work of removing the fat cells. Rather than manually sucking out the fat, patients will gradually lose the inches and the skin itself will adapt to those changes. This keeps the CoolSculpting contours smooth and firm. 

Skin is an extremely elastic organ, designed to protect the systems of the body. As long as it’s not stretched or damaged to the point that collagen and elastin fibers break, the skin will retract and expand as needed -- especially as we gain or lose weight. However, natural skin elasticity won’t work when the fat is removed suddenly. This is why patients observe stretch marks and excess skin after plastic surgery procedures like a neck lift or a tummy tuck. 

With CoolSculpting, the fat reduction is very gradual so the skin is given ample time to retract and recover. The results can take a few months to become evident, as the body slowly flushes out the neck fat. Unlike plastic surgery, the procedure was not created for dramatic weight loss; it was only designed to destroy a small amount of fat, so the skin doesn’t have to go far to tighten over new contours. 

And because CoolSculpting can safely be combined with other types of cosmetic surgery, a provider may also recommend another procedure to boost collagen and elastin production in the treatment area, if skin tightening is a concern. 

Learn more: CoolSculpting For Turkey Neck

What To Expect When CoolSculpting The Neck and Chin

The ideal candidates for CoolSculpting are patients who are already at or close to their ideal weight. These people only need to correct the stubborn bulges that won’t go away with diet and exercise. With the revolutionary CoolSculpting procedure, fat reduction is performed through controlled cooling so no incisions or downtime are required. 

In 2015, the CoolMini applicator was approved by the FDA. Designed to erase submental fullness, reduce double chin fat, and tone the jawline, the CoolMini also has a skin tightening mechanism. Studies found that after CoolSculpting, the appearance of lax tissue improved after treatment. Skin laxity, texture, and cellulite also got better in areas like the upper arm, bra fat, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. 

The average CoolSculpting treatment for the chin and neck is as follows:

• Patients will consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss their aesthetic goals, medical history, and other concerns. The CoolSculpting provider will create a treatment plan that will meet the patient’s needs. 
• On the day of the treatment, the target area is sterilized and a topical gel is applied.
• The CoolMini device is put under the chin and kept in place with a strap around the patient’s head. Initially, there may be some pain and discomfort, although this eventually wears off and the chin becomes numb. 
• For an hour, the cooling panels will freeze and crystallize the submental fat. Patients can rest and relax during the time; many patients read books, watch TV, or answer emails while waiting. 
• After the session, the CoolSculpting applicator is removed and the neck is massaged for maximum results. Patients are free to resume their daily activities once the session is finished. 

Learn more: Will CoolSculpting Affect Thyroid Area at All If I Do It on My Neck?

How To Get The Best CoolSculpting Results 

CoolSculpting has a long track record for patient safety and satisfaction. That being said, there are still a few things you can do to ensure you maximize your CoolSculpting results, such as: 

• Follow your treatment plan: Your provider will customize a treatment plan so you can have the best results. It’s good to have more than one session or get follow-up treatments if your provider prescribed it. However, some patients are satisfied after one session of CoolSculpting the submental area; it’s so effective that there is not enough excess fat left in the neck and chin to remove anymore. For complete skin tightening and fat reduction, your provider may also recommend a Kybella injection, a dermal filler, or a laser treatment for increased collagen production. 
• Maintain your current weight: As CoolSculpting permanently destroys the fat deposits in the area, the problem spot should be gone for good -- unless you gain extra weight. Patients should eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to keep their CoolSculpting results. It’s also recommended for patients to stay out of the sun and take good care of their neck skin to prevent skin laxity, wrinkling, or sagging from getting worse. 
• Listen to aftercare instructions: After the procedure, you will be asked to avoid certain anti-inflammatory medications like Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen for a few weeks. This is because your body will naturally have an inflammatory response to the dead fat cells being eliminated from the double chin, so taking an anti-inflammatory can impede that process and delay expected results. 

Once patients see their body after CoolSculpting, they feel extra encouraged to stay in shape and take good care of themselves. After all, the fat removal results are absolutely worth it.

Flawless Enhancements at the NJ Center for CoolSculpting 

The NJ Center for CoolSculpting utilizes only the safest, most effective customized aesthetic procedures for all our patients. Our team of board-certified doctors and specialists are leaders in the body contouring industry, performing hundreds of CoolSculpting sessions every month. We have the experience you can put your trust in, so you’re guaranteed to look and feel your best.

Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more about our state-of-the-art-services.