Pain is a frequent concern of patients preparing for any procedure. But, simply put, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Everyone’s body perceives pain differently. For some, CoolSculpting does not hurt at all. For others, there is mild pain either during or after the procedure.
If it does hurt, how much depends on your pain tolerance and your body’s reaction to the treatment. Fortunately, if there is any pain, it is generally short-lived and fairly mild. In all cases, the procedure is safe.
To give you an idea of how CoolSculpting might feel for you we take a look at how it works and what happens during and after the treatment.
How Does CoolSculpting Work
Cryolipolysis is the principle behind CoolSculpting. The basic concept is that CoolSculpting works by freezing the fat. This breaks down the fat cells allowing your body to remove them naturally and safely – without damaging other tissues. It is a non-invasive alternative to surgeries like liposuction.
The process involves placing a protective gel pad over the target area. Then the applicator is put into place and a vacuum turns sealing the applicator to the target area.
Once in place, the CoolSculpting machine begins to freeze the fat. After the process completes, the vacuum releases the applicator. The frozen fat is gently massaged for a few minutes.
For more info: Will CoolSculpting Work For Me?
Is There Pain During CoolSculpting?
Whether or not you feel pain during CoolSculpting depends on your individual body. If you do, it is typically a mild pain. Below, we describe what you might feel during the process and how it may affect you.
- Placing the protective pad: The pad is cool and damp. There should be no pain from this, although the coolness sometimes takes people by surprise.
- The vacuum: The vacuum itself is gentle, sometimes described as feeling like a suction cup. Sometimes people feel a slight pinching sensation for the first 10 minutes of the procedure until the freezing sets in.
- The freezing process: Instead of pain, people generally feel numbness once the freezing begins. It’s a sensation similar to using an ice pack. So your past experience with using ice packs is a good guideline for what your body feels here.
- Massaging the fat: Since the fat is frozen, the massaging can feel odd. This shouldn’t hurt, although it is sometimes a bit of ticklish sensation.
Is There Pain After CoolSculpting
For most people, there is no pain after the CoolSculpting process. Instead, there may be a lingering numb sensation. This numbness sometimes lasts as long as three weeks. Even with the numb feeling, you can continue on with your regular activities and exercise.
For those with more sensitive skin, it is possible to experience some redness, stinging, or itchiness after CoolSculpting. This is generally more a cause of discomfort than pain.
As well, some people experience mild swelling or bruising in the area. This is mainly expected if you are prone to one of these. These effects should begin to fade during the first few days after treatment.
According to studies, any post-treatment pain goes away after an average of 3 to 11 days.
Results
CoolSculpting proves the old adage of, “no pain, no gain,” wrong. While the process delivers on the promised results, it requires either no or minimal pain. A little discomfort is not uncommon, but it’s certainly worth it – removing up to 25% of targeted fat.
The results start to show within about three weeks, and the full results take about six months. Although the results are permanent, additional sessions can help to remove even more fat.
Get CoolSculpting in Newmarket
Whether you’re getting beach body ready with CoolSculpting, or simply trying to shed that hard to lose fat, there’s no time like the present to get started. The Plastic Surgery Skin Care Clinic has top plastic surgeons with experience in CoolSculpting. Use their experience and knowledge to get the results you desire.
Book a CoolSculpting consultation in Newmarket today!