CoolSculpting has been around for a few years now, and it’s safe to say that lots of people love it. Before CoolSculpting, there weren’t really any effective non-surgical options for getting rid of excess fat. Today, even the busiest people can get great results with CoolSculpting.
But even though CoolSculpting is non-surgical and very safe for most people, that doesn’t make it right for everyone. Some medical conditions can affect eligibility and some people just won’t get the results they want from non-surgical body contouring.
Not sure if you’re a candidate? Let’s find out who should NOT get CoolSculpting.
How CoolSculpting Works
To understand who should and shouldn’t get CoolSculpting, it’s important to first know how the procedure works. The process is known as cryolipolysis. Basically, CoolSculpting “freezes the fat away” by targeting problem areas using very cold temperatures. The cooling panels destroy fat cells without the need for incisions or anesthesia while leaving the surrounding skin and tissue undamaged.
Once the fat cells have been destroyed (a process that takes just 30-45 minutes), the body begins to dispose of the unwanted fat. This is a process that takes several months. There is no downtime and patients can get back to their normal routine right away. The gradual fat reduction looks very natural but can contour the body and remove up to 25% of the fat in the target area per treatment.
Reasons Not to Get CoolSculpting
You Have a Serious Medical Condition
In general, you should be in good health before seeking out elective medical procedures, even if they’re non-surgical. Although the risks involved with CoolSculpting are minimal, having a medical condition that isn’t under control can make risks more likely to occur. On top of that, your body may have trouble metabolizing the fat and bouncing back after the procedure. If you’re struggling with a significant medical condition, it’s best to wait until you have it under control before considering CoolSculpting.
Some specific conditions can rule prospective patients out entirely. CoolSculpting is not appropriate for people who have cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. It’s important to be honest during your CoolSculpting consultation about your medical history to ensure your safety.
You’re Planning to Have a Baby Soon
Most cosmetic treatments haven’t been studied in pregnant women, and it’s generally a good idea to hold off on any kind of treatment until after you’ve given birth. Beyond that though, it’s important to remember that pregnancy will change your body substantially.
If you’re thinking about starting a family or adding to your family in the near future, think about how your pregnancy might affect your CoolSculpting results. During your pregnancy, your fat distribution will change and you could end up undoing the results you got from your procedure.
In general, it’s best to wait until after you’ve had children and you’re at a stable weight. That way, you can address any lingering problem areas and cosmetic issues and maintain your results long-term.
You’re Not Happy with Your Weight
Lots of people think that body contouring procedures like CoolSculpting are for losing weight. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Think of body contouring as putting the finishing touches on your weight loss, not as a weight loss procedure on its own.
CoolSculpting is ideal for problem areas of stubborn fat all over the body. Love handles, a double chin, and a belly “pooch” are great examples. Fat in these areas is often resistant to diet and exercise, but CoolSculpting can contour them for an enhanced silhouette and fewer bulges. Clothing might fit better and people usually experience a boost in confidence levels.
If you’re not happy with your weight yet, then it’s best to wait until you’re at or near your goal weight for a few months. You’ll get better results by waiting until you’ve lost more weight.
You Don’t Have a Maintenance Plan
Like all body contouring procedures, fat that is destroyed during CoolSculpting is gone for good. Even if you gain weight, it won’t come back. But that doesn’t mean the treated areas won’t ever expand again. The remaining fat cells can still get bigger if you gain weight.
To preserve your results after CoolSculpting, it’s important to be committed to maintenance and a healthy lifestyle. You need to be prepared with a diet and exercise plan to help ensure that you don’t gain weight after the procedure and end up back where you started. If you’re not ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle yet, then you might not be ready for CoolSculpting.
You Have Poor Skin Elasticity
Our skin is an amazing organ that has the ability to expand and retract as we grow and change. Weight gain and loss cause the skin to stretch and contract as needed.
When we’re young, our skin is firm and elastic, allowing it to easily adapt if changes in the body are gradual. Rapid changes, however, can cause stretch marks or sagging skin. Aging can also affect skin elasticity.
Skin elasticity will impact your CoolSculpting results. If you don’t have good skin elasticity, you might find that your skin has trouble retracting as the fat disappears. People with poor skin elasticity may want to consider a different procedure that includes surgical skin tightening, like a tummy tuck, instead.
You Don’t Want it For Yourself
We all feel a lot of pressure to look a certain way. If you’re feeling pressured to get CoolSculpting but you don’t want it for your own happiness and confidence, then take a step back. No one should ever make you feel like you need to get a cosmetic procedure to feel worthy. Do it for yourself, not anyone else!
Consult with a CoolSculpting Expert
Want to find out if you’re a good candidate for CoolSculpting? Contact Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, TX, at (281) 810-9083 for a consultation with one of our CoolSculpting experts. We’ll help you figure out the cosmetic option that’s best for you!