Body contouring with CoolSculpting is an appealing option for anyone hoping to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat. CoolSculpting is one of the safest and best proven technologies for non-surgical body contouring available today, with no downtime and no surgery. Still, the best way to see great results is to be the right candidate for the treatment.

Here are six requirements for ideal CoolSculpting candidates.

CoolSculpting treatments use hand pieces to target stubborn, pinchable fat above the muscle wall. The fat must be the type of fat that lies above and not below the muscle. CoolSculpting treatments are only FDA-approved to target subcutaneous fat and not visceral fat.

Subcutaneous fat is “pinchable” fat, like the type of fat found at your love handles or in the upper arms. This type of fat is fluffy, jiggly, and directly under the skin. Subcutaneous fat can be incredibly challenging to get rid of with diet and exercise. Roughly one inch of pinchable fat is necessary for the CoolSculpting panels to make contact.

Visceral fat is found below the muscle wall, usually in the abdominal cavity surrounding organs. Visceral fat is directly linked to other health issues and cannot be targeted with CoolSculpting treatments. If your goal is to target visceral fat, CoolSculpting may not be the proper treatment for you.

CoolSculpting is a body contouring treatment and should not be thought of as a weight loss option. A BMI score below 30 is advised for most body areas, except for the double chin area, where the BMI score must be below 43.

If you have a BMI above 30 and are satisfied with your weight and body but have a “trouble spot” like the bra line or upper arms, CoolSculpting may still be a good treatment option. If you are happy with your weight but struggle with trouble spots regardless of diet and exercise efforts, those trouble spots are likely ideal for CoolSculpting.

If your goal is to lose weight, CoolSculpting can help push you in the right direction; however, it is not a weight loss treatment. Many clients find it more manageable to lose weight after a treatment because they’re more motivated and they’ve made a financial investment in themselves. While you may see dramatic visible results, fat doesn’t weigh much. A pound of subcutaneous fat is roughly the size of a grapefruit and takes up significantly more space when compared to a pound of muscle. Patients can expect to see a 20-25% reduction in fat with each treatment. Results will compound and continue to build if you have multiple treatments. In most cases, multiple treatments are recommended for the best possible results.

The CoolSculpting procedure uses controlled cooling (cryolipolysis) to freeze the fat cells in the targeted treatment area. These frozen fat cells die and are naturally eliminated by the body. Once eliminated, the treated fat cells are gone for good. After completing CoolSculpting treatments, it’s necessary to make healthy changes to your routines to maintain your results. By incorporating a healthy diet and exercise, you can maintain CoolSculpting results for years to come.

Men and women considering CoolSculpting should have realistic expectations and understand that CoolSculpting is not designed to be a weight-loss tool or significant fat removal method. Ideal candidates for CoolSculpting should already be at or near their ideal weight before undergoing the treatment. As previously mentioned, the investment in CoolSculpting and the remarkable outcome are often motivating factors for patients to recommit to healthy eating and regular exercise, resulting in further improvements to their weight and physique.

Another variable when it comes to CoolSculpting results is how many treatment sessions are performed. A single CoolSculpting session is enough for some patients to produce the results they are hoping for, while others may require 2 – 4 sessions to achieve their ideal outcome. Keep in mind, while you will likely notice an improvement after a few weeks, the final results of CoolSculpting may not be visible for several months after your final treatment session.

The best and most accurate way to find out if CoolSculpting will work for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Vein & Laser Institute. We will answer your general questions, and you will receive a thorough evaluation to determine if you’re a great CoolSculpting candidate. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.