Do you feel self-conscious wearing certain clothes due to stubborn pockets of fat? Do you eat well and exercise regularly? Do you feel confident that you can maintain your weight in the future? If so, you may be a good fit for CoolSculpting at Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA. To help you determine if this non-invasive fat removal treatment is right for you, read on to discover everything you need to know about it, including how soon you can see results.
How Soon Do You See Results From CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting results vary from person to person, and several factors influence how quickly your desired results will become apparent. You can generally expect to start seeing an improvement in your appearance just a few weeks after your first treatment session. However, it may take three to six months for you to enjoy your optimal results.
What Factors Affect How Quickly I Can See My Desired Results?
One of the most significant factors affecting how soon you can enjoy your desired CoolSculpting results is the number of treatment sessions you will need. This treatment can only remove roughly a quarter of fat pockets in large areas of concern, like the abdomen, back, or chest. If you have a lot of subcutaneous fat in an area of concern, you may need up to half a dozen treatment sessions to achieve satisfactory results.
The number of sessions required is such a significant factor affecting how soon you can see your final results because treatment sessions are generally spaced four to six weeks apart. Therefore, if you need three treatment sessions, it may take two to three extra months to see your desired results. Another factor that significantly affects how soon your final results appear is your lifestyle choices after your treatment.
What Can I Do To See My Desired Results Faster?
The results of this treatment are derived from your lymphatic system flushing out the fat cells frozen to death during your treatment session. Therefore, you need to support your lymphatic system as much as you can to see your desired results as quickly as possible. One of the best things you can do to see your optimal results faster is to stay hydrated. Another highly effective step you can take is to eat nutritiously while minimizing your consumption of junk foods.
You can also support the efficiency of your lymphatic system by supporting your cardiovascular system through exercise. Specifically, you should try to get five hours of moderate aerobic activity weekly if you are trying to lose weight. If you are already happy with your weight, you can benefit from a mere 30 minutes daily, five days per week. Note that these time guidelines can be halved if you’re getting vigorous cardio rather than moderate cardio.
How Long Will My Results Last?
The results of this treatment are considered long-lasting, and the fat cells that are eliminated from the body are gone forever. However, it’s important to note that this treatment does not prevent the unaffected fat cells from expanding in the future. Therefore, to enjoy your desired results for as long as possible, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and sensible diet after treatment.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
To be considered a good CoolSculpting candidate, it is important that you are in good overall health and free from any medical conditions that may affect the treatment. Additionally, it is important that you have stubborn pockets of subcutaneous fat that you cannot reduce with a caloric deficit. Furthermore, you need to have a history of maintaining a fairly stable weight to be considered an ideal candidate for this treatment.
During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your problem areas and discuss your goals to ensure that this treatment will be effective for you. Even if you’re fairly healthy, you will be considered a poor candidate for this treatment if you have too much or too little subcutaneous fat in your problem areas to achieve desirable results. Additionally, we will verify that this treatment will be safe for you by discussing your drug regimen and advising you on how to prepare.
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment Session?
For a few weeks before your non-invasive fat removal session, you need to avoid tanning beds and unprotected sun exposure. UV damage to the targeted areas can affect the treatment. Additionally, you will need to refrain from taking any pharmaceuticals that can cause blood-thinning.
Also, it is important that you eat a healthy snack or light meal before your appointment. You should hydrate in the days leading up to your session. However, you should not drink a lot of fluids or consume a lot of caffeine shortly before your appointment.
What Areas Can Be Targeted for Treatment?
This fat removal treatment can be used to improve virtually any area of concern as long as there is an adequate amount of excess fat. We usually look for candidates who have at least an inch of subcutaneous fat in an area of concern. However, exceptions can be made, especially when smaller areas are causing concern. It is typically used to treat larger areas, but it can remove excess fat from smaller areas, like the underarms or chin, effectively.
Who Shouldn’t Consider This Treatment?
You should not consider this treatment if you suffer from a medical condition that is exacerbated by the cold or makes you extremely sensitive to cold temperatures. For example, you will not qualify for this treatment if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia. As another example, Raynaud’s disease will disqualify you from treatment. Furthermore, you will not be considered a suitable candidate for this treatment if you suffer from obesity.
You should also not consider this treatment if there is a chance that you are pregnant or you have not yet stopped breastfeeding your infant. Moreover, you will be deemed a poor candidate for this treatment if you have recently undergone surgery or your skin is irritated at the planned treatment site.
What Should I Expect During My Treatment Session?
Before your cryolipolysis session begins, we will clean the treatment area and apply a protective gel to your skin. Then, we will place the CoolSculpting device on the gel. The device will cool the fat tissue in the treatment area to approximately 42 degrees. During the first few minutes of your treatment, you will feel the treatment area cooling. However, the treatment area will quickly become numb. You will not feel any pain or discomfort during your treatment.
However, you should not be surprised if you feel a gentle tugging sensation during your appointment. We will advise you on how long you can expect your appointment to take during your initial consultation. Generally, people can benefit the most by dedicating an hour per treatment area. If you only have small pockets of excess fat, you may only require 35 minutes per treatment area.
What Aftercare Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
Once your fat removal session is over, it is crucial that you drink plenty of water. We highly advise drinking six to eight ounces of hydrating fluids hourly after your treatment and eating lots of water-dense fruits and vegetables. It is also extremely important that you try to get at least 30 minutes of walking or other low-intensity cardio after your session. Furthermore, the calories you consume should not exceed your body’s maintenance needs.
Another important aftercare guideline to follow is to avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. For example, you should not take a hot bath or sit in a sauna during the first 24 hours following your treatment. Additionally, you should not engage in strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours after treatment. Moreover, sweating should be avoided for 24 hours, so you should try to stay in a climate-controlled environment.
Is There Any Downtime Required?
No, there is no downtime required after this treatment. You can even drive yourself home or back to work afterward.
Find Out More
It may be a few weeks before you start seeing your CoolSculpting results, and it may take several months before you can see your final results. To see your desired results as quickly as possible, you must support your lymphatic system as well as you can. Effective steps you can take include staying hydrated and eating nutritiously. To learn more about this treatment, schedule an appointment with us now at Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA.
