Will You Get Sagging Skin After CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting: the buzz about it is everywhere. Until recently, liposuction was pretty much the only reliable fat removal option for people with a little extra padding in “problem areas” that refuse to go away with diet and exercise alone. Thanks to CoolSculpting, though, surgery is no longer necessary for effective body contouring.

For some people, CoolSculpting seems too good to be true. Non-surgical fat removal that’s safe and effective, requiring no anesthesia or downtime? It seems impossible. Understandably, people who are thinking about CoolSculpting have some questions and concerns about what they can expect.

In considering CoolSculpting, some prospective patients are worried that the known complications of surgical body contouring procedures could apply to non-surgical options as well. For example, liposuction can lead to excess, sagging skin if too much fat is removed or the patient’s skin elasticity is poor. The unwanted fat might be gone, but the extra skin creates contour irregularities that don’t look good at all and must be addressed with a second surgery.

So what’s the deal with sagging skin when it comes to CoolSculpting treatments? Is this really something to be concerned about? Can patients expect the same kinds of issues? Here’s what you need to know.

CoolSculpting Works Differently

Liposuction works by creating incisions in the treatment area, breaking up the unwanted fat, and suctioning it out through a hollow tube to create new contours. There are many different methods of liposuction, but each technique involves basically the same surgical process.

CoolSculpting is different. Instead of manually breaking up and removing unwanted fat, the treatment uses extremely cold temperatures externally to freeze the fat cells in areas the patient wishes to slim down. Cooling panels are used to target specific areas of fat safely, without damaging the skin or other tissues.

During the CoolSculpting process, known as cryolipolysis, the fat cells cool down until they implode, destroying them. The treatment is comfortable for patients, who do not require any anesthesia since the cold temperatures numb the area quickly.

Once the treatment is complete, patients will not see their results right away. It can take up to 16 weeks for the body to dispose of the destroyed fat cells as waste, leading to a reduction of up to 25% of the fat in the treated area.

There are no incisions, and the body does all of the work in removing the fat cells. Patients can lose inches in areas like the hips, thighs, abdomen, and back. CoolSculpting can even be used to treat a double chin. But are the new contours smooth and firm, with no excess skin?

Skin Retraction After CoolSculpting

The skin is an extremely elastic organ. It’s designed to protect the systems of the body and to adapt as the body changes. As long as it is not stretched enough for the collagen and elastin fibers to break (a process that leaves the skin with stretch marks) or for collagen production to slow down substantially, it can usually retract and expand as needed with weight gain and loss or normal growth.

Stretch marks often occur with rapid growth or weight gain, such as during pregnancy or through normal growth in children and adolescents. People who lose a large amount of weight rapidly often see stretch marks and sagging skin.

Young people usually have good skin elasticity, but our skin’s ability to expand and contract starts to decline as we get older. The good news about CoolSculpting is that it allows the skin to contract slowly since the fat cells gradually disappear after the treatment. This reduces the possibility of sagging skin.

Gradual Results: A Blessing in Disguise

Although most people are anxious to see their CoolSculpting results right away, the gradual nature of the results can actually be a blessing in disguise. Because the reduction in the treated areas can take months to complete, the skin has ample time to retract and recover. Just as it’s better to lose weight gradually in order to allow the skin to contract, it’s also better to enjoy your body contouring results gradually for the same reason.

Another reason that CoolSculpting does not leave patients with excess sagging skin is that the procedure does not lead to dramatic weight loss. Usually, only a small amount of fat is destroyed during the CoolSculpting procedure, meaning that the skin does not have to go far in order to tighten over the new contours. Getting rid of an inch or two of unwanted fat can make a world of difference in a patient’s confidence while allowing the skin to snap back easily.

Patients are usually pleased with their results after one or two treatments, but the procedure is not designed for weight loss. Ideally, candidates for this treatment are at or near their goal weight with stubborn problem areas that won’t go away.

Talk To An Expert About Your CoolSculpting Questions

Got questions and concerns about CoolSculpting? It’s always important to talk to an expert so you can get the reliable information you need to decide if the treatment is right for you. Our experienced CoolSculpting technicians at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique will set your mind at ease and be honest with you about your candidacy.

To learn more about CoolSculpting at our beautiful office in Houston, Texas, call Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique at (281) 810-9083 to schedule your consultation.