Dear Moms, Here’s What To Know If You’re Considering CoolSculpting Elite

If you’ve heard of CoolSculpting® Elite and are curious to learn what it’s all about, we’ve got you covered. This way, if you have been considering trying out the non-invasive treatment, you can head into your consultation feeling more empowered and well-equipped to make the right decision for you. Ready for a full deep dive? Here, with expert insight from facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Levine, M.D., get primed on the treatment and what to expect from start to finish.

What It Is

CoolSculpting Elite is an FDA-cleared, cold-based non-invasive (i.e. non-surgical) treatment designed to reduce visible fat bulges in nine different areas of the body — including areas of fat difficult to reduce through diet and exercise like under your jawline, upper arms, and under the buttocks. Additionally, it’s FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue under your chin with targeted submental area treatments. And it’s all done with little to no downtime.

How It Works

CoolSculpting technology has actually been around since 2010. Developed in a lab associated with Harvard Medical School, CoolSculpting Elite uses a technique called cryolipolysis to apply extreme cold to targeted areas of stubborn fat, essentially freezing fat. Following treatment, the body naturally eliminates the dead fat cells, which can potentially result in up to a 20-25 percent fat reduction in the treated area after a single treatment session.

How CoolSculpting Elite Has Evolved

CoolSculpting Elite uses the same proven technology that was introduced to the market in 2010 — but has updated features including revised, expertly-designed C-shape dual-applicators with seven different shapes and sizes for a better fit and function to complement your natural curves. “[The] different shapes and sizes of applicators allow a wide range of body areas to be treated,” explains Levine.

But that’s not the only benefit. “The dual applicators allow you to treat two areas at the same time, cutting the overall treatment time in half [compared to using one CoolSculpting applicator],” says Levine. “The patient’s time is valuable and having two applicators on one machine allows [them] to spend less time in the chair.”

Who It’s Best For

If you’ve been looking to find a non-surgical treatment to help you achieve certain body contouring goals, then CoolSculpting Elite may be a great option for you. However, the treatment isn’t for everyone. For instance, if you suffer from certain conditions like cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, you should not be treated with CoolSculpting Elite. Before making any decisions, talk to your doctor about the treatment, and be sure to mention if you have any medical conditions including the ones mentioned above. Additionally, be sure to note any recent surgeries, a pre-existing hernia, and any known sensitivities or allergies.

How Long Is The Process?

A typical CoolSculpting Elite treatment takes between 35 to 75 minutes depending on which area is being treated. Some treatment sessions can last longer depending on how many areas are being treated. CoolSculpting Elite’s dual applicators can treat two areas at the same time, which may decrease your appointment time compared to being treated with one CoolSculpting applicator.

It typically takes one to three months to see initial results, with full results taking about six months or longer. While this will vary from person to person, most patients can expect to achieve their goals after two or more treatment sessions. To keep track, your provider will take photos before, during, and after treatments.

Possible Side Effects

While everyone is different, most patients don’t find the treatment painful. At first, you may experience a light vacuum-like pressure and intense cold at the treatment site, but these sensations will decrease after approximately 10 minutes as the area becomes numb.

Following the treatment, side effects may include temporary redness, swelling, bruising, stinging, tenderness, cramping, or itching at the treatment site. For those targeting submental (under the chin) and/or submandibular (under the jawline) areas, there may also be a temporary sensation of fullness in the back of the throat.

To learn more about the treatment, schedule a consultation with a CoolSculpting Elite provider. Think about what area(s) you want to treat, and write down a list of questions to go over during your appointment. Find a provider near you to get started.

Uses

CoolSculpting® Elite is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. CoolSculpting® Elite is not a treatment for weight loss.

Important Safety Information

This procedure is not for everyone. You should not be treated with CoolSculpting® Elite if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions including recent surgery, pre-existing hernia, and any known sensitivities or allergies.

During the procedure you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These sensations lessen as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment.

Rare side effects may happen in 1 to 10 out of 10,000 CoolSculpting® Elite treatments (between 0.01% to 0.1%). One such rare side effect is a visible enlargement in the treated area, which may develop 2 to 5 months after treatment, will not resolve on its own, and may require surgical intervention for correction.

Please see full Important Safety Information for CoolSculpting® Elite on CoolSculpting.com.

© 2023 AbbVie. All rights reserved. COOLSCULPTING ELITE and the Snowflake Design are trademarks of Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc., an AbbVie company. Allē and its design are service marks of Allergan, Inc., an AbbVie company.

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