Summer is the best time for basking in the sun, enjoying the beach or pool, and sipping icy drinks. But if you’ve been noticing more bumps and bulges under your swimsuit than you’d like, then you may be considering cosmetic body contouring procedures like CoolSculpting to help you feel more confident poolside.
Lots of people get CoolSculpting in the winter, to prepare for summer activities. But there’s no reason to put off the treatment until next winter if you’re ready to banish the flab and improve your silhouette. Just make sure you understand what to expect from summer CoolSculpting, and how to stay safe after your treatment.
What is CoolSculpting? Is it Safe?
CoolSculpting is a unique procedure that safely and non-surgically destroys unwanted fat in “problem areas” like the tummy, hips, thighs, and under the chin. It works by chilling the unwanted fat, causing it to implode. Then, the body gradually disposes of it over the course of several months.
Although CoolSculpting is not intended for weight loss, it can make a huge difference for patients. CoolSculpting can shrink each treatment area by up to 25%, which allows patients to lose inches and fit more comfortably into clothing. The CoolSculpting treatment is a perfect finishing touch after weight loss, or to address stubborn fat that won’t go away with diet and exercise alone.
One of the most common questions prospective CoolSculpting patients ask is: “is it safe?” Obviously, it’s important to make sure that any elective procedure is as safe as possible. The good news is that for most patients, CoolSculpting is exceptionally safe and involves only minor side effects. You can get CoolSculpting safely any time of the year, as long as you take some summer-specific safety precautions.
Wear Loose Clothing During and After Treatment
Being comfortable is key during your CoolSculpting treatment. You’ll be lying still for a half-hour or so during your session and it’s important to prioritize your comfort. Plus, your CoolSculpting provider will need to be able to easily access the areas you want to treat.
After CoolSculpting, you’ll want to wear loose clothes for a different reason. You might experience some minor swelling, which could make it difficult to fit into your favorite shapewear or leggings. On top of that, squeezing the area could make any soreness worse and make it more difficult for your body to recover.
You should wear loose-fitting clothing until any swelling has subsided and you feel comfortable wearing tighter garments. That tummy-shaping one-piece might look great at the beach, but you should give your body a little time to adjust after treatment before putting it back in the rotation.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
In the summer, it’s important to drink lots of water. Due to the blazing sun and hot days, you’ll naturally sweat more and become dehydrated more quickly. Water is vital to all of our bodily functions and is especially key when you’re trying to recover from a cosmetic procedure.
Think about how much water you drink in a day, and try adding at least a couple of extra glasses to that after your treatment, to aid in your recovery and health. As a bonus, staying properly hydrated will help your body eliminate unwanted fat cells more quickly after CoolSculpting.
Protect Your Skin
The sun has important benefits for our health, but it can also be extremely dangerous for our skin. After any cosmetic procedure, including CoolSculpting, it’s very important to be diligent about sun protection. You don’t have to stay inside and away from the swimming pool, but you should apply sunscreen regularly, wear cover-ups when you’re not swimming, and try to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Remember that the sun can cause your skin to become discolored, especially after cosmetic treatments. It can also irritate the skin and make inflammation and swelling worse after your treatment. Be mindful of your skin after CoolSculpting—the treatment won’t damage it but the sun definitely can!
Rest Up and Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Right after your treatment, it might be a good idea to head home and rest up for a couple of days. That will give your body a chance to recover and allow you to get over any minor side effects like swelling and redness. Be gentle with yourself, even when showering and dressing. Don’t use very hot or very cold water to bathe or shower.
You might not feel up to exercising at first. That’s okay, but remember that you will need to keep up with healthy habits to promote good results and maintain your new look. Try doing your workouts at home in the first few weeks after your treatment to help you avoid overheating and overtaxing yourself.
Remember, You Might Not Be “Beach-Ready”
Your results won’t be immediate after CoolSculpting. It takes up to 3 months to see the final results and you might experience some redness or swelling initially. If you decide to get CoolSculpting this summer, it’s important to realize that you won’t necessarily be “beach ready” before fall rolls around. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to get CoolSculpting—it’s just something to keep in mind.
Consult with a CoolSculpting Expert
If you think you might be a good candidate for CoolSculpting, then your next step should be to consult with an expert. At Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, our aestheticians are experienced CoolSculpting providers and can help you decide when and if the treatment is right for you. To schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art facility, call (281) 810-9083 today.