Woman smiling after CoolSculpting treatment in Des Moines , Iowa

There’s a question that comes up all the time when we meet with men and women considering CoolSculpting at our West Des Moines practice: Does it hurt? It’s a fair question, but the answer is a little complicated. To put it as simply as possible: No, it doesn’t hurt, but there are a few sensations you can expect to feel.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what CoolSculpting really feels like and why so many people say the results are well worth the experience.

How does CoolSculpting work?

Let’s start by discussing what actually happens to your body during a treatment. CoolSculpting works by safely freezing fat cells, which causes them to die. Your body then naturally eliminates the dead cells. Because fat cells freeze at a higher temperature than other cells in the body, CoolSculpting can freeze fat without causing any harm to the surrounding tissue.

The treatment involves a device that suctions fat pockets into an applicator that delivers controlled cooling for about an hour. The result is a nonsurgical reduction in fat within targeted areas. Because the fat cells are naturally and gradually removed from the body after they die, results develop between 3 weeks and 2 months after treatment.

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Does it hurt?

So what does it actually feel like to get a CoolSculpting treatment? Well, discomfort tolerances vary, but CoolSculpting is known to be fairly comfortable. It requires no anesthesia and doesn’t involve any needles or incisions. Here’s what you’ll feel during and after:

  • During: You’ll feel suction as the device pulls your targeted area into the applicator. You’ll then feel intense cold, similar to the feeling of using an ice pack, which will eventually turn to numbness. After this point, you should feel comfortable enough to relax, read, or even nap.
  • After: As your treated area warms back up and your provider massages it, you’ll feel a tingling or “thawing” sensation. For the next day or 2, you may experience redness and feel some sensitivity, though this likely won’t stop you from going about your daily activities. In rare cases, some people experience bruising.

Is it worth it?

CoolSculpting has been proved effective at reducing fat in targeted areas—something that could only be done surgically in the past. The treatment is more comfortable and less invasive than liposuction, and it doesn’t require needles, incisions or anesthesia, yet it still delivers noticeable results. According to RealSelf.com, 79% of patients think the treatment is “worth it,” tingling and all.

Part of the reason the procedure is so worth it is because it does much more than creating attractive results. CoolSculpting can play a major role in boosting fitness motivation and inspiring a long-term health journey. Learn more in our previous blog post.

If you would like to see examples of the results you can expect, please visit our CoolSculpting before-and-after photo gallery.

To start your CoolSculpting experience here in West Des Moines, please contact us online or call (515) 277-5555.

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