Body contouring: treatment guide
CoolSculpting: what it is, how it works, side effects and cost
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a brand of cryolipolysis, a nonsurgical treatment that uses cold temperature to break down fat cells in a stubborn bulge while sparing the skin.[1] The FDA has cleared the CoolSculpting System for cold-assisted fat reduction in specific areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms and under the chin.[4] It is meant for spot reduction, not weight loss, and results appear gradually over several months.[2][3]
CoolSculpting quick facts
| What it is | A brand of cryolipolysis, nonsurgical fat reduction using cold[1][2] |
|---|---|
| How it works | Cold injures fat cells, which are more sensitive to cold than skin cells; the body then clears them[1][2] |
| FDA status | The CoolSculpting System is cleared through the FDA 510(k) process for cold-assisted fat reduction in specific areas[4] |
| FDA-cleared areas | Upper arm, bra fat, back fat, banana roll, thigh, abdomen and flank, in people with a BMI of 30 or less; under the chin and along the jaw, with a BMI up to 46.2[4] |
| Anesthesia | None needed[1][3] |
| Time per area | About 25 minutes to one hour[1][3] |
| Sessions | Some areas need one session, others more; plan on two to four sessions overall[2][3] |
| Downtime | Most people return to normal activities right away[2][3] |
| Results timeline | Changes may start at about 3 weeks; fat is cleared over about 4 to 6 months[1][2] |
| Not for | Weight loss or obesity; people with certain cold-related conditions[1][2] |
| Cost | Varies by clinic and area. Depends on the provider, the procedure, the time involved and location[8] |
How CoolSculpting works
Cryolipolysis is based on the finding that fat cells are more easily damaged by cold than other cells, such as skin cells.[2] The cold injures the fat cells, which triggers an inflammatory response and leads to the death of those fat cells.[2] White blood cells called macrophages then clear the dead fat cells from the body.[2] While the fat cells freeze, the skin and other structures are spared from injury.[1]
CoolSculpting is the brand name most people know for cryolipolysis.[1][2] The FDA has cleared the CoolSculpting System, a skin cooling device, for cold-assisted lipolysis (breakdown of fat).[4] Its cleared use is to affect the appearance of visible fat bulges in specific areas.[4]
Who it is for
Cryolipolysis is designed to reduce a localized fat bulge that has not responded to diet and exercise.[1][2] It is not a weight loss treatment.[2][3] People with loose skin or poor tone may not be suitable candidates.[1]
What to expect during a CoolSculpting session
The treatment is done in a doctor's office.[2] Your provider assesses the size and shape of the bulge, marks the area, and chooses an applicator of the right size and curve.[1] A gel pad protects the skin, then the bulge is drawn into the applicator by vacuum.[1]
- How it feels: you may feel pulling from the vacuum, cold and tingling, and the area may become numb.[2]
- How long: about an hour.[1][3] Many people read or use their phone during treatment.[1]
- Afterward: the applicator is removed and the area may be massaged for a few minutes.[1][2]
Results timeline
Changes appear gradually, with measurable fat reduction seen about 2 months after treatment.[2] The body clears the injured fat cells over four to six months, with an average fat reduction of about 20 percent in the treated bulge.[1] Some people have a second treatment in the same area.[2]
CoolSculpting side effects and who should avoid it
Temporary side effects in the treated area may include pain, tingling, redness, swelling, bruising, and skin sensitivity or numbness.[2] These generally resolve within a few weeks.[2] There is also a risk of surface irregularities and asymmetry, and the possibility of not getting the result you hoped for.[1]
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH)
PAH is a rare side effect in which the treated area grows larger instead of smaller, because of an increase in fat cells.[1][2] It occurs in less than 1 percent of patients, is three times more likely in men than in women, and is seen more often in people of Hispanic or Latino descent.[1]
A 2015 case report described PAH as painless, firm, well-defined tissue masses that appear in treated areas about 3 to 6 months after cryolipolysis.[5] The authors noted the manufacturer's estimate of 1 in 20,000 treated patients, reported 2 cases in 422 treatments in their own practice, and concluded that PAH is likely underreported.[5] Both patients in that report chose liposuction to correct it.[5]
Who should not have CoolSculpting
People with cold-related conditions such as cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria (hives from cold) or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria should not have cryolipolysis.[1] It should not be done on areas with severe varicose veins, dermatitis or other skin lesions.[2]
CoolSculpting aftercare
Follow your own provider's instructions first. There are no activity restrictions after cryolipolysis.[1] You may feel sore, as if you had worked out; pain is rare, and if it happens, contact your provider, who may prescribe medication for a few days.[1]
If a treated area becomes larger or firmer in the months after treatment, tell your provider, since this can be a sign of PAH.[1][5]
CoolSculpting vs liposuction vs Kybella
CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction that uses cold to reduce fat.[3] For fat under the chin, an injection of deoxycholic acid such as Kybella is another nonsurgical option; see the Kybella guide.[7]
Swipe sideways to see all three treatments.
| CoolSculpting | Liposuction | Kybella | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Cold breaks down fat cells[1] | Surgery that removes fat from specific areas[6] | Injected deoxycholic acid destroys fat cells[7] |
| Surgery? | No, nonsurgical[1][2] | Yes, a surgical procedure[6] | No, injections[7] |
| Areas | Several body areas and under the chin, as cleared by the FDA[4] | Abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and other areas[6] | Approved for under the chin[7] |
| Anesthesia | None[1] | Ask your surgeon | Can be done under local anesthesia[7] |
| Downtime | Return to normal activities right away[2][3] | Ask your surgeon | No downtime, though swelling and bruising are common[7] |
| When results show | Over about 4 to 6 months[1] | Ask your surgeon | By 6 to 8 weeks after a treatment[7] |
| Weight loss? | No[2][3] | No, not a treatment for obesity[6] | No, for fat under the chin only[7] |
Liposuction works best for people of normal weight with some extra fat and firm, elastic skin, and it is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for diet and exercise.[6] A licensed provider can help you decide which option, if any, fits your goals.
Frequently asked questions about CoolSculpting
Is CoolSculpting FDA approved?
CoolSculpting is a medical device that has been cleared by the FDA through the 510(k) process, rather than approved like a drug.[4] Its cleared use is cold-assisted fat reduction in specific areas, including the upper arm, bra fat, back fat, banana roll, thigh, abdomen, flank and under the chin and jaw.[4]
Is CoolSculpting the same as cryolipolysis?
CoolSculpting is the brand name most people use for cryolipolysis, the technique of reducing fat with cold.[1][2]
How many CoolSculpting sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals. One area may need only one session, while other areas or goals may need more.[2] Plan on two to four sessions overall, depending on the area.[3]
When will I see CoolSculpting results?
Changes may start about 3 weeks after treatment, with more noticeable improvement after about 2 months.[2] The body clears the treated fat cells over four to six months.[1]
Are CoolSculpting results permanent?
Fat cells that are destroyed are removed from the body.[2][3] Weight gain is still possible after treatment, and fat may be deposited in other areas.[2]
Does CoolSculpting hurt?
You may feel pulling, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching or cramping at first, which ease after 5 to 10 minutes as the area becomes numb.[2] Afterward, some people feel sore, as if they had worked out.[1]
What is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia?
It is a rare side effect in which the treated area gets larger because the number of fat cells increases.[1] It happens in less than 1 percent of patients and is more likely in men.[1] One study suggested it is likely underreported.[5]
Is CoolSculpting a weight loss treatment?
No. It is designed for localized fat bulges that resist diet and exercise, and it is not recommended for people with obesity.[2][3]
Who should not get CoolSculpting?
People with cold-related conditions such as cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria should not have it.[1] Pregnancy, breastfeeding and certain nerve and skin conditions also pose a risk.[2]
How much does CoolSculpting cost?
Varies by clinic and area. The price of nonsurgical fat reduction depends on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing it, the type of procedure, the time and effort the treatment requires, and the office location.[8]
Can I see a CoolSculpting simulation in the SkinSync AI app?
No. CoolSculpting is not part of the SkinSync AI simulator. In the app you can see illustrative neurotoxin and dermal filler simulations today, find participating clinics and providers, and book a consultation.
In the SkinSync AI app
Find a clinic and book a consultation.
CoolSculpting is not part of the SkinSync AI simulator. In the app you can see simulations of neurotoxin and dermal filler treatments today (laser and energy-based treatments are coming soon), find participating clinics and providers with their availability and pricing, and book a consultation.
- Not simulated: CoolSculpting is not part of the app simulator
- Available now: scan your face and see illustrative neurotoxin and filler simulations from the front and both sides
- Find participating clinics and providers, with availability and pricing
- Book a consultation, in person or virtual, or a treatment directly in the app
- Save your scans and get reminders and aftercare guidance
Simulations are illustrative and do not predict results. The app does not give medical advice; a licensed provider determines appropriate treatment.
Sources
Every medical fact on this page is linked to one of these sources. Reviewed October 30, 2026.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Cryolipolysis
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Cryolipolysis for Fat Reduction and Body Contouring: Safety and Efficacy of Current Treatment Paradigms (2015); Obesity Reviews: Cryolipolysis and associated health outcomes, adverse events, and satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025)
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Cryolipolysis for Fat Reduction and Body Contouring: Safety and Efficacy of Current Treatment Paradigms (2015)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) database: K193566, CoolSculpting System, indications for use
- Singh SM, Geddes ER, Boutrous SG, Galiano RD, Friedman PM. Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia secondary to cryolipolysis: an underreported entity? Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2015 (PubMed)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Liposuction
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Injection lipolysis
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: How much does nonsurgical fat reduction cost?
Related guides
CoolSculpting and Kybella are trademarks of their respective owners. SkinSync AI is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.