Yes, CoolSculpting works. It is FDA-cleared to permanently eliminate 20 to 25 percent of fat cells in treated areas. The procedure uses cryolipolysis technology to freeze and destroy fat cells, which your body then naturally eliminates over the following weeks. Most patients notice visible changes within three weeks, with dramatic results appearing two to three months after treatment. At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, Queens, we have helped numerous patients achieve their body contouring goals with CoolSculpting.
CoolSculpting is not a weight loss solution. It is a body contouring treatment designed to eliminate stubborn fat pockets that resist diet and exercise. For the right candidate, it delivers measurable, lasting results without surgery, anesthesia, or downtime.
How CoolSculpting Eliminates Fat
CoolSculpting works through a scientific process called cryolipolysis. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than surrounding tissues like skin, muscle, and nerves. The CoolSculpting device cools targeted fat to a precise temperature that causes fat cells to crystallize and die, while leaving other tissues completely unharmed.
During treatment, a specialized applicator suctions the targeted fat bulge between two cooling panels. The device lowers the temperature of the fat layer to the point where fat cells freeze. Over the following weeks, your body’s lymphatic system naturally processes and flushes out these dead fat cells as waste.
This process is backed by extensive clinical research. Studies confirm that cryolipolysis safely and effectively reduces fat in treated areas. The FDA has cleared CoolSculpting for fat reduction in nine body areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, chin, and upper arms.
“CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared body contouring treatment that eliminates fat by freezing the fat cells,” explains Dr. Michael Paltiel, Board-Certified Dermatologist at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology. “The science behind it is cryolipolysis. Fat cells are highly sensitive to cold, more so than other tissues. Once those fat cells are destroyed, they do not return.”
What Results Can You Realistically Expect?
CoolSculpting delivers measurable fat reduction, but setting realistic expectations helps ensure satisfaction with your results.
Each treatment reduces fat by 20 to 25 percent. This means if you have a stubborn belly bulge, one CoolSculpting session can eliminate roughly one quarter of the fat cells in that area. For many patients, this creates a noticeable difference in how their clothes fit and how their body looks.
Results vary by individual. Factors like the amount of fat present, the treatment area, and your body’s metabolism influence your outcome. Some patients achieve their desired results after a single session. Others benefit from two or three treatments to reach their goals.
CoolSculpting is not weight loss. The scale may not change significantly because fat cells weigh very little. What changes is your body contour. Patients typically notice their problem areas look slimmer and more toned, even if their weight stays the same.
Best results come from treating true problem areas. CoolSculpting works exceptionally well on stubborn fat pockets that will not respond to diet and exercise. If you are already at or near your healthy body weight but have a belly pooch, love handles, or double chin that will not go away, CoolSculpting can finally address those areas.
It is not for significant weight loss. If you have a large amount of weight to lose, diet, exercise, or bariatric options should come first. CoolSculpting is designed for spot reduction and body contouring, not overall weight reduction.
CoolSculpting Results Timeline: Week by Week
Understanding when to expect results helps you plan and prevents unnecessary worry during the waiting period.
Week 1 to 2: Immediately after treatment, you may experience redness, swelling, tenderness, or numbness in the treated area. These are normal responses and typically resolve within days to two weeks. You will not see fat reduction yet because your body is just beginning to process the frozen cells.
Week 3 to 4: Swelling subsides and early changes may become visible. Some patients notice their clothes fitting slightly better or see the beginning of contour improvement. Your body is actively flushing out dead fat cells during this time.
Week 6 to 8: Noticeable results appear for most patients. The treated area looks slimmer and more contoured. This is when many patients feel confident that the treatment worked.
Week 12 (3 Months): Full results are typically visible by this point. The fat reduction is dramatic compared to your starting point. Before and after photos taken at this stage show the most significant difference.
Up to 6 Months: Your body continues eliminating treated fat cells for up to six months after treatment. Some patients see continued improvement during this extended period.
“You should notice the difference in three weeks, with dramatic results visible two months after your treatment,” notes Dr. Paltiel. “Your body keeps removing the treated fat cells for up to six months. As a result, you can continue to see improvement in your body shape during that time.”
Do CoolSculpting Results Last?
Yes, CoolSculpting results are permanent because the treatment destroys fat cells, and your body cannot regenerate them.
When fat cells are frozen and eliminated through cryolipolysis, they are gone for good. Unlike weight loss through diet and exercise, which shrinks fat cells but leaves them in place, CoolSculpting actually removes fat cells from your body. Those specific cells will never return.
However, maintaining results requires maintaining your weight. If you gain a significant amount of weight after CoolSculpting, the remaining fat cells in your body can expand. The treated area may appear larger again, though typically the fat distribution will be more even across your body rather than concentrated in the original problem spot.
For lasting results, we recommend continuing healthy eating and regular exercise after treatment. Patients who maintain a stable weight enjoy their CoolSculpting results for years.
Long-term studies support the durability of CoolSculpting. Research following patients for six to nine years after treatment showed continued fat reduction in treated areas, even among those who gained some weight over time.
Who Gets the Best CoolSculpting Results?
CoolSculpting works well for many patients, but certain characteristics predict the best outcomes.
Ideal candidates are close to their goal weight. If you are within 20 to 30 pounds of your ideal body weight but have stubborn fat pockets that will not budge, you are likely to see excellent results. CoolSculpting excels at refining and contouring, not major fat removal.
You have pinchable fat in the treatment area. CoolSculpting targets subcutaneous fat, the soft fat layer just beneath your skin that you can pinch. If you can grab a roll of fat on your stomach, flanks, or thighs, CoolSculpting can treat it.
Diet and exercise have not eliminated your problem areas. The best candidates have tried to lose fat through lifestyle changes but have certain areas that refuse to slim down. These stubborn spots respond well to CoolSculpting.
You have realistic expectations. Patients who understand that CoolSculpting provides 20 to 25 percent fat reduction per session, rather than complete fat elimination, tend to be most satisfied with their results.
You are committed to maintaining results. Since weight gain can affect your outcome, patients who plan to continue healthy habits after treatment maintain their results longer.
CoolSculpting may not be ideal if:
You have a significant amount of weight to lose. Other options like diet modification, exercise programs, or bariatric consultation should come first.
You have loose or sagging skin in the treatment area. CoolSculpting reduces fat but does not tighten skin. For loose skin concerns, we may recommend combining CoolSculpting with skin tightening treatments.
You have certain medical conditions. Patients with cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria should not undergo CoolSculpting. These conditions cause adverse reactions to cold exposure.
Why Some People Say CoolSculpting Did Not Work
Occasionally, patients report dissatisfaction with CoolSculpting results. Understanding why helps set proper expectations.
Unrealistic expectations account for many complaints. Patients expecting dramatic weight loss or complete fat elimination may feel disappointed with 20 to 25 percent reduction. CoolSculpting contours and refines rather than transforms.
Treating the wrong candidates leads to poor outcomes. If someone has too much fat for CoolSculpting to address effectively, or has visceral fat rather than subcutaneous fat, results will be limited. Visceral fat surrounds internal organs deep in the abdomen and cannot be treated with CoolSculpting.
Insufficient treatment sessions can leave patients wanting more. Some people need two or three sessions per area to achieve their goals, but stop after one treatment expecting full results.
Weight gain after treatment masks results. If a patient gains significant weight after CoolSculpting, the remaining fat cells expand and the improvement becomes less visible.
Poor provider selection affects outcomes. Inexperienced technicians or discount providers using off-brand equipment may deliver suboptimal results. Board-certified dermatologists and trained medical professionals using genuine CoolSculpting technology produce better, more consistent outcomes.
At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology, we carefully evaluate each patient during consultation to ensure CoolSculpting is appropriate for their goals. We would rather recommend an alternative treatment than set someone up for disappointment.
Enhance Your Results: CoolSculpting Plus EmSculpt
For patients who want more than fat reduction, combining CoolSculpting with EmSculpt delivers superior body contouring results.
CoolSculpting eliminates fat. It freezes and destroys fat cells, reducing the fat layer by 20 to 25 percent per treatment.
EmSculpt builds muscle. Using high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology, EmSculpt contracts your muscles 20,000 times in 30 minutes. This builds muscle mass by approximately 16 percent while also reducing fat by about 19 percent.
Together, they transform your body. CoolSculpting removes the fat layer hiding your muscles. EmSculpt builds and defines the muscles underneath. The combination creates a more sculpted, toned appearance than either treatment alone.
This dual approach is especially effective for the abdomen. Patients who want visible abs or a defined, athletic look benefit tremendously from treating both fat and muscle. At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology, we call this “The Perfect Combination” because it addresses body contouring comprehensively.
During your consultation, ask about combining CoolSculpting and EmSculpt. We can create a treatment plan that targets both fat reduction and muscle building for optimal results.
CoolSculpting Results at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Queens
At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, we have helped numerous patients achieve their body contouring goals with CoolSculpting. Our results speak for themselves.
Why patients trust us for CoolSculpting:
Dr. Michael Paltiel leads our practice as a Board-Certified Dermatologist who trained at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With over 20 years of experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology, he brings expertise that ensures your safety and optimal outcomes.
We use CoolSculpting Elite technology, the latest generation device with dual applicators that can treat two areas simultaneously. This means more efficient sessions and improved results compared to older equipment.
Our team includes board-certified medical professionals who understand anatomy and can optimize applicator placement for maximum fat reduction. You receive treatment from trained experts, not just technicians.
We provide personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique anatomy and goals. During your consultation, we assess your problem areas, discuss realistic expectations, and recommend the appropriate number of sessions to achieve your desired results.
Our Forest Hills location conveniently serves patients throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the greater NYC area. We offer flexible scheduling and a comfortable office environment.
We maintain a 4.7 star rating from over 1,000 Google reviews. Patients consistently praise our professionalism, expertise, and the results they achieve.
“Amazing service, very professional and experienced,” shares one Google reviewer. Another writes, “Very clean facility. Very thorough physician. Great bedside manner. Listened to my concerns. Recommended.”
Schedule your CoolSculpting consultation to learn how we can help you achieve the body contour you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About CoolSculpting Results
Does CoolSculpting really work?
Yes. CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared and clinically proven to reduce fat by 20 to 25 percent per treatment. Studies confirm it safely and effectively eliminates stubborn fat in treated areas.
How many CoolSculpting sessions do I need to see results?
Most patients see noticeable results after one session per area. However, some patients benefit from two or three sessions to achieve their desired outcome. During your consultation, we assess your goals and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.
Why is my CoolSculpting not working?
If you are not seeing expected results, possible reasons include unrealistic expectations, insufficient sessions, weight gain after treatment, or not being an ideal candidate. A follow-up consultation can help determine next steps.
Does CoolSculpting work on belly fat?
Yes. The abdomen is the most popular CoolSculpting treatment area. It effectively reduces subcutaneous belly fat, the pinchable fat layer beneath your skin. It does not treat visceral fat that surrounds internal organs.
How long do CoolSculpting results last?
Results are permanent because destroyed fat cells do not regenerate. However, maintaining your weight is important. Significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells to expand, affecting your results.
Can I combine CoolSculpting with other treatments?
Yes. Many patients combine CoolSculpting with EmSculpt for comprehensive body contouring. CoolSculpting eliminates fat while EmSculpt builds muscle, creating more dramatic results than either treatment alone.
Disclaimer
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Paltiel, MD.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.