Cosmedica's Guide to Body Contouring: How Long Do Results Last? 

Body contouring has been a hot topic in mainstream media. With the rise of celebrity endorsements, influential estheticians, and beauty gurus, there is varying information on the types of body contouring, their safety, and their efficacy. 

Cosmedica is known as Vancouver Island's premiere state-of-the-art skin care clinic tucked on the edge of beautiful Oak Bay. Nothing is more important than serving our patients with the utmost quality of care with safe and effective treatments. 

Our number one priority is our patient's safety. Dr. Lupin oversees the settings we use for all our laser and non-laser treatments, so they are all calibrated to a setting that will give patients optimal results but with little to no risk to our patients. All our medical estheticians and nurses are trained and signed off by Dr. Lupin to ensure safety and consistency in all treatments we administer.  

- Cosmedia Medical Aesthetician 

We know that considering your first body contouring treatment is not easy. So our dedicated team of treatment providers has created this article, providing you with information to consider before booking an appointment. We aim to make you feel confident and informed in every step of your body contouring journey! 

What is the Science Behind CoolSculpting? 

Before we start with the science behind CoolSculpting, it's important to learn what type of fat the treatment can target and eliminate. There are two notable types of fat: subcutaneous fat, aka "fluff," and visceral fat- found deep inside the belly. CoolSculpting can eliminate subcutaneous fat, not visceral fat. 

CoolSculpting works through the process of Cryolipolysis. This technique involves freezing a localized area of fat to effectively kill 20-25% of subcutaneous fat at a time. The fat is less resistant to this level of freezing temperature compared to other cells in the body, which means our skin is left unaffected by the treatment.  

Once the fat cells are dead, there is no chance of them returning, so CoolSculpting is considered a permanent fat reduction treatment. 

Subsequently, the body naturally destroys dead fat cells through waste elimination in 4-6 weeks after treatment. CoolSculpting results are visible 6 months after treatment, with an average of 25% fat reduction on the specific area treated. 

How Long Do CoolSculpting Results Last?  

The thing about our fat cells is that we don't accumulate them; the amount remains stable throughout adulthood. Rather, they simply expand or shrink in response to changes in our diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits.   

When we consume more calories than we burn, the excess energy is stored in our fat cells, causing them to increase in size. In contrast, when we burn more calories than we consume, the fat cells shrink as the stored energy is used up. 

CoolSculpting permanently destroys these subcutaneous fat cells, which means the results last forever. However, it is still possible to gain weight in other areas of the body where fat cells remain. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, is important to help prevent the growth of fat cells in other areas of the body.  

What Else Can You Expect from a CoolSculpting Treatment? 

It is not a weight loss program 

The technology targets fat that is considered "fluff" weight, which is the type that doesn't add to your overall weight but adds physical volume.  

CoolSculpting is a great treatment option if you're 10-20 pounds heavier than your desired weight and you would like to sculpt specific areas of the body, like the abdomen, upper arms, inner or outer thighs, flanks (love handles), or chin.  

It's a breezy treatment 

CoolSculpting requires minimal preparation or downtime.  

During the treatment, your CoolSculpting specialist will attach an applicator to the target area, and the cooling process will last 30-45 minutes per side. However, with our two CoolSculpting machines (dual sculpting), we can cut the treatment time in half! 

There is no pain or discomfort during the treatment, so take this time to relax. You can set up your remote work, study, watch a movie, catch up with loved ones or even nap!  

After the treatment, the area will feel slightly numb for a couple of days, but it will not hinder you from your daily activities. You can even hike around Thetis Lake after this treatment! 

Did you know we provide refreshments and a meal of your choice during a CoolSculpting session? We really take "treat yourself" seriously. 

Expect a minimum of 2 treatments to achieve results 

A minimum of two sessions are needed for a dramatic reduction. We always build a custom and unique plan for you based on your body, your goals, and the outcome you are looking to achieve. 

Initial results will appear within 2-3 months 

Expect to see initial results 2-3 months after the treatment, with the final results showing at the 6-month mark.  

Although, by having a second Coolsculpting session four weeks after the first treatment, you can achieve 78% more fat cell reduction in comparison to 20-25% reduction with one session. 

Cosmedica offers a 360° approach to body contouring 

The StarFormer® TightWave and Morpheus8 Body are the best complementary treatments to CoolSculpting.  

TightWave is a muscle-building treatment powered by high-intensity Tesla magnetic stimulation (HITS™). One session lasts for 30-45 minutes, simulating 50,000 contractions in one session. After a series of 8 sessions, the increase in muscles will last 6 months or longer, with the best results visible 2-4 weeks after the series.  

Treatable areas are the abdomen, glutes, hamstrings, thighs, arms, and pelvic floor for stress urinary incontinence. 

Morpheus8 is something you might have heard of through beauty editorials. A-list celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Linsday Lohan, and Eva Longoria have shared that Morpheus8 is a part of their recent skincare routine.  

The treatment revolutionizes skin tightening and contouring without any prolonged downtime. But did you know? They recently launched a new handpiece designed specifically for body tightening treatments.  

Morpheus8 Body can treat deeper than it ever did (4mm vs 8mm depth with Morpheus8 Body), allowing for more effective results. 

Get a Personalized Body Contouring Treatment Plan at Cosmedica! 

Body contouring can be a great way to kickstart a healthy lifestyle, to feel strong and empowered, or to give you that final push in meeting your body goals. Wherever you are on that journey, we are more than happy to assist you! 

Our friendly body contouring experts take a purposeful approach to every consultation to make sure we are offering a personalized treatment that is specific to your goals, budget, and timeline. 

Book your complimentary consultation today to kickstart your body contouring journey!