Does CoolSculpting Work to Reduce Fat and Recontour Your Face?

Using CoolSculpting to Reduce Fat and Recontour Your Face

If you're looking to slim and sculpt certain areas of your face without surgery, CoolSculpting may be an option worth considering. This non-invasive fat reduction treatment uses controlled cooling to eliminate unwanted fat cells and sculpt a more contoured facial appearance.

CoolSculpting has been safely used for years to reduce small pockets of fat on the body. But does it also work for the complex and delicate facial area? Here's what you need to know about using CoolSculpting to rejuvenate and refresh your face.

How Does CoolSculpting For The Face Work?

CoolSculpting utilizes a technology called cryolipolysis to freeze and destroy fat cells without harming surrounding tissue. A device applies controlled cooling at just the right temperature to target and eliminate fat below the skin's surface while leaving other cells unharmed.

Over the next 2-4 months following the procedure, the destroyed fat cells are disposed of naturally by the body. As a result, the treatment area decreases in size as localized fat bulges and pouches are reduced. Many patients see a 20% fat reduction or more in a given treated area after one CoolSculpting session.

What Facial Areas Can It Treat?

CoolSculpting has been cleared by the FDA for use on several areas of the face and neck including:

• Under the chin: Helps eliminate double chin appearance.
• Along the jawline: Removes jowls and defines the jaw.
• Cheeks: Reduces fullness and rounded appearance of cheeks.
• Around the mouth: Minimizes fatty areas around lips.
• Underneath the nose: Lessens fat bulge above upper lip.
• Neck: Tightens loose, sagging skin and reduces "turkey neck."

Ideal Candidates for Facial CoolSculpting

The best candidates for CoolSculpting on the face and neck are people who struggle with small, localized pockets of fat but are otherwise at a normal weight. People who have good skin elasticity will see optimal results. The procedure is not intended for significant fat reduction or weight loss.

CoolSculpting works best on bulge-prone areas that are diet and exercise resistant. If you still have fullness under the chin or puffiness in the cheeks despite being in good shape, CoolSculpting may help refine those stubborn zones.

What To Expect During a Facial CoolSculpting Session

Prior to your appointment, the treatment provider will conduct a consultation to determine which facial area(s) should be treated for optimal enhancement. They will also assess your skin, fat distribution and medical history.

At the treatment visit, a gel pad will be applied to protect your skin. The CoolSculpting device will then be precisely positioned over the treatment area. You may feel a vacuum suction sensation as the area is gently drawn up between the cooling panels.

As the cooling begins, you'll feel intense cold. This may be mildly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Your provider may massage the area to help distribute the cooling more evenly. You can read, work, or relax during the 1-2 hour treatment.

After the applicator is removed, the area may look swollen and feel stiff - this will subside. Your provider will likely do a gentle 2-minute massage to help break up crystallized fat cells so they can exit the body faster.

How Long Before You See Results?

You won't see instant reduction after your CoolSculpting session. It takes time for the destroyed fat cells to be eliminated from the body. Most patients start to notice a difference in as little as 3 weeks after treatment, but the full results take 2-4 months to appear.

It typically takes one CoolSculpting treatment per facial area to get optimal fat reduction, but some people benefit from additional sessions. You and your provider can decide if a second round is right for you after your results unfold.

Pros and Cons of CoolSculpting for the Face

Some of the key benefits of using CoolSculpting rather than surgery to recontour the face include:

Pros:

• Non-invasive, no incisions or anesthesia needed.
• Little to no recovery downtime afterward.
• More affordable than surgery.
• Can treat small areas of stubborn fat.
• Results look natural, not artificial.
• FDA-cleared for safety and effectiveness.
• No need to take extended time off work.

Potential Cons:

• Not a weight loss solution for significant fat reduction.
• May require multiple treatments per area.
• Does not improve loose, sagging skin.
• Results not as dramatic as surgery.
• Not effective on cellulite or loose skin.
• Mild side effects like numbness can occur but are temporary.

Is CoolSculpting Safe For Your Face?

When performed properly by an experienced board-certified provider, CoolSculpting is considered very safe for facial rejuvenation overall. However, as with any procedure, there are some risks to consider.

Potential side effects can include:

• Temporary numbness, tingling, stinging, swelling, bruising or blanching of the skin.
• Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH): Rare risk of the fatty area increasing in size after treatment due to growth of remaining fat cells.
• Discomfort during or after the procedure.
• Skin sensitivity, peeling or redness for a few days.

Severe complications like fat embolism are very rare but can be life-threatening. Be sure to choose an experienced provider specifically trained in using CoolSculpting on the delicate face area.

Does It Really Work to Reduce Facial Fat?

While results vary from patient to patient, a number of credible studies have shown CoolSculpting to safely and effectively reduce localized pockets of fat on the face when used appropriately. Some key findings include:

• 82% average patient satisfaction rate in one study of 150 subjects.
• Up to 20-25% fat layer reduction in the submental area (under the chin) after 1-2 treatments.
• Volume reduction measurable on CT scans and 3D imaging after treatment.
• Visible improvement in the appearance of the jawline and chin contour.

However, keep in mind CoolSculpting is not a replacement for weight loss. For mild fat bulges on an otherwise fit individual, CoolSculpting can help "spot treat" trouble spots. But a healthy diet and active lifestyle remain key for overall facial rejuvenation.

Should You Try CoolSculpting For Your Face?

If you are near your ideal body weight but still troubled by small, localized fatty areas of the face and neck, CoolSculpting could be a good treatment option, providing visually noticeable improvements in chin contour, jawline definition, cheek reduction and more.

However, be sure to have an in-depth consultation with your board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon first. They can advise if you are an ideal candidate, which facial zones would benefit most, and what results you can realistically expect. Expert injectors can also combine CoolSculpting with wrinkle reducers like Botox or fillers for optimal facial rejuvenation.

While not a replacement for surgery, non-invasive fat reduction using CoolSculpting technology has been shown to safely refine and "sculpt" certain stubborn areas of the face. When performed properly, most patients see visible improvements and high satisfaction rates.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.