Does CoolSculpting Get Rid of Cellulite?

When you first hear about CoolSculpting®, it sounds too good. After all, it is an FDA-cleared nonsurgical targeted fat loss treatment.

When thinking about the possibilities, you may wonder, “Does CoolSculpting get rid of cellulite?”. By better understanding what cellulite is, you can assess whether CoolSculpting® may help you get rid of it or not.

Please remember this article is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for personalized medical care.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite causes a dimpled, orange peel-like appearance to the skin in areas with a little extra body fat. Cellulite is most common around the thighs, buttocks, and other areas.

There are a lot of myths about it, but in reality, it is the result of the interaction between fat and bands of connective fibers under the skin. The connective tissue connects skin and muscle, and the subcutaneous fat (under the skin) gets smooshed in between.

Cellulite isn’t a health problem, but many people are self-conscious about its appearance. Due to differences in skin and anatomy, cellulite is more common in women than in men.

To get rid of cellulite, you need to lose some body fat or loosen the bands for a smoother appearance. Someone at their goal weight and physically fit may still have a little cellulite. Especially in the areas where they retain a little extra fat, like the thighs, hips, or buttocks. Now that you know more about cellulite, you can better understand whether you can count on CoolSculpting® to get rid of cellulite.

Does CoolSculpting Get Rid of Cellulite?

CoolSculpting® helps get rid of fat cells in the specific area you treat. For example, if you retain a little extra fat on your thighs and opt for CoolSculpting®, your thighs will look proportionally leaner. While CoolSculpting® doesn’t loosen the bands of connective tissue, the fat loss will improve the appearance and may even get rid of mild cellulite. So yes, in some cases, CoolSculpting® may get rid of mild cellulite, but in others, it may not.

Anecdotally, sometimes people have noticed their skin tone and skin elasticity improve in the months following a CoolSculpting® treatment. It’s still early, but some researchers are looking into whether the best CoolSculpting benefits help skin tone and texture. While these studies are not focused on cellulite, some may find their skin looks smoother and tighter over time. The research so far is focused more on mild skin tightening and elasticity.

The primary purpose of CoolSculpting® is to decrease unwanted fat. However, any benefit to the appearance of your skin or cellulite is an added perk. When considering whether CoolSculpting® may help diminish cellulite, it helps to understand what the treatment does for you and how it works.

How CoolSculpting® Works

You probably know that CoolSculpting® is an FDA-cleared, nonsurgical fat reduction treatment. It uses a proprietary applicator to direct concentrated cooling to specific areas where you accumulate unwanted fat. People opt for CoolSculpting® for one or more problem areas, including the abdomen, love handles, arms, thighs, or buttocks. You may have noticed some of these areas are prone to the appearance of cellulite, too, so it makes sense that you may also hope CoolSculpting® will help decrease cellulite.

The technique used in CoolSculpting® is called “cryolipolysis.” The strategically applied cold breaks down some fat cells in the treated area. Since fat cells are vulnerable to the effects of cold temperatures, some cells freeze, crystallize, and are released from the body over the next few weeks to a month after your treatment. Some people get the results after one session, while others seek a second treatment a few months later.

While the CoolSculpting® treatment doesn’t specifically address cellulite, it does reduce body fat. As a result, you may notice a smoother look in areas with cellulite. However, it is essential to remember that even slim, physically fit people may have cellulite in specific areas of the body due to the structure of the connective tissue.

While we are on the topic, it is essential to realize that while CoolSculpting® destroys fat cells, it isn’t a weight loss procedure. During a CoolSculpting® session, your provider may treat one or two areas of the body. Treatment works best for subtly sculpting those areas where your body holds on to a little extra stubborn fat. While the fat cells are destroyed, it is possible to gain weight and body fat in the weeks or months following.

People close to their goal weight will benefit most from the targeted fat loss. Consistent diet and exercise are your best bet for maintaining your results from CoolSculpting® and maintaining a toned look over the years.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn what is CoolSculpting for or if CoolSculpting gets rid of cellulite, schedule a consultation with one of our Master CoolSculpting Technicians: Gine Jacobs, Master CoolScuplting Technician or Kimberlyn Chaney Master CoolScuplting Technician.

A knowledgeable professional can help you explore your options and navigate your choices. Sometimes people come in with interest in a specific procedure. After talking with the patient about their aesthetic goals and hopes, sometimes we recognize that another approach might give them better results.

For example, CoolSculpting® is an excellent nonsurgical treatment for many people. However, some people might want to remove a little more fat, so they prefer the results from liposuction. Only you can make these choices, but during your consultation, you can learn all about your options and choose the correct procedure.

At Charlotte Plastic Surgery, we aim to help Charlotte-area residents look and feel their most confident and attractive selves. We have served the community for decades by combining today’s hottest procedures, technical excellence, and genuine patient care. We love seeing our patients grow more confident as their results unfold. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.