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How Many CoolSculpting Treatments Are Needed For Hips?

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Stubborn fat on the hips is a common cosmetic concern that bothers many women and it is also one of the usually targeted areas for a CoolSculpting procedure. For the uninitiated, CoolSculpting is a body contouring treatment that gets rid of excess pockets of fat by freezing them. It’s a great way to lose those unwanted body fat and achieve a contoured body shape without going under the knife. 

So how many CoolSculpting sessions are typically needed to treat hip fat? The frequency of treatments will most likely depend on the amount of stubborn fat you have and your desired goals. Most healthy patients would need around 2 to 3 CoolSculpting procedures but additional treatments may be done depending on the initial outcomes. 

How Many CoolSculpting Sessions Are Needed To See Visible Fat Reduction?

When you’re not burning as many calories as needed or when you suddenly experience excessive weight gain, it’s normal for fat to build up in certain body parts. For some women, this accumulation of fat bulges happens around the hips and waist. Fat in these areas is also what is commonly referred to as love handles or muffin tops. 

Unfortunately, unwanted hip fat can be hard to banish through simple diet changes and exercise. For years, liposuction used to be the only way to reduce fat but the rise of CoolSculpting procedures has made it possible to shape the body without plastic surgery. 

Compared to surgical fat reduction options that are normally a one-and-done treatment, CoolSculpting for hips would likely require more than one session. This cosmetic procedure is highly customizable and treatments can be tailored according to the patient’s unique fat percentage and fat distribution. 

Several studies recommend getting at least up to 2 to 3 CoolSculpting treatments to see desired results. A single session of fat freezing is said to provide around 20% to 25% visible fat reduction. Getting multiple treatments can help eliminate more fat deposits in the hip, especially if it already makes your upper body look thick. Repeated sessions can also produce more significant and permanent changes in the body. 

Experts recommend scheduling CoolSculpting sessions at 8 to 12 weeks apart. The reason why you need to wait in between treatments is that it takes time for the body to naturally expel the dead fat cells. You’ll most likely see the results of CoolSculpting within a few months after the last treatment.  

What Does The CoolSculpting Procedure For Eliminating Hip Fat Look Like? 

The procedure for CoolSculpting is based on the science of cryolipolysis which uses cold temperatures to destroy fat cells. Treating different body areas with fat requires the use of a specialized applicator. For the love handles and flanks, the cosmetic provider usually uses the CoolAdvantage applicator.

The CoolAdvantage handpiece is designed to address excess fat in both bulky and smaller treatment areas. It comes with three different contouring heads namely the Fit, Core, and Curve+. During the treatment, the provider will draw adipose tissue into the applicator cup and with its controlled cooling feature, a comfortable temperature will freeze the targeted fat. 

Reducing fat in the hips using the CoolAdvantage applicator can take around 35 minutes to an hour. After freezing the fat deposits, you may notice a bulge on the skin which resembles a stick of butter. This happens because the fatty tissues were suctioned to the vacuum cup. This side effect is temporary and your attending cosmetician will normally massage the area to smoothen it out. 

What To Expect From Fat Freezing Treatments: Side Effects of CoolSculpting 

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CoolSculpting is a completely non-invasive treatment and it removes the need for long recovery periods. Most patients can return to their normal activities as soon as they finish the fat freezing procedure. However, they are advised to still take it easy since they may experience some side effects that can last for several days to weeks. 

Here are some of the common side effects to expect during and after CoolSculpting: 

  • During the first few minutes of the CoolSculpting treatment session, patients can feel an intense cold sensation as the applicator delivers cold temperatures to the fat cells. This goes away as soon as the treatment area becomes numb for the duration of the procedure.
  • It’s also common to feel sensations of pulling or tugging at the skin as the applicator gathers the targeted fat to the vacuum cup.
  • Immediately after, patients may notice some redness, firmness, bruising, swelling, tenderness, mild blanching, and tenderness on the treated area. They will normally resolve on their own within a few days.
  • After 2 weeks of the treatment, some individuals can still experience side effects like skin sensitivity, itching, and tingling. This happens due to the body’s inflammatory response and it’s a good indication that the frozen fat cells are being processed and removed.
  • Very rarely, some patients may have paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) which is a side effect where the fat cells grow larger instead of shrinking in size. It usually causes the treated area to appear enlarged and it needs surgical intervention to be removed. 

Aftercare Instructions To See The Best CoolSculpting Results 

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To ensure smooth recovery from the procedure and guarantee optimal results, it’s also important to follow aftercare practices like drinking lots of water, massaging the treated area, wearing tight clothing, and avoiding certain types of medications like NSAIDs. 

1) Make sure to drink lots of water to recover after the treatment

Staying hydrated is important as it helps the body process and gets rid of the treated fat cells through the lymphatic system. Cosmetic surgeons recommend drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day to support the fat elimination process. Additionally, consuming water helps alleviate some side effects such as headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness which you may experience after the treatment. 

2) Regularly massage the treated area 

CoolSculpting patients are also advised to manually massage the areas that were treated. It is believed that a vigorous massage can accelerate the breakdown of the fat cells and provide more dramatic improvements for body contouring. Doing massage therapy also stimulates the lymphatic drainage system to improve circulation of body fluids and reduce water retention. 

3) Wear tight clothing or compression garment 

Patients can also try wearing compression garments to help minimize bruising and swelling for the first few days after the procedure. They may also be beneficial for helping sculpt the body after eliminating the fat. 

4) Avoid non-inflammatory medications

While it’s tempting to take NSAIDs to manage the pain from CoolSculpting, it’s not wise to consume them since they may interfere with the inflammation process that removes the fat from the body. According to doctors, patients should take these medications for at least six weeks after the treatment. They may opt to use ice packs or cold compress to minimize discomfort in the treated area.

Can Hip Fat Come Back After Freezing Them? 

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The great thing about CoolSculpting is that the fat cells that are destroyed are gone for good. Once these are expelled from the body, the fat in the hips won’t return. However, new fat cells can grow in its place when you experience an increase in weight. Gaining weight can also affect the existing fatty layers in surrounding areas and cause them to expand and reach the areas where CoolSculpting was administered. 

As such, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen to avoid any significant weight gain. This treatment works well for people who have a pinchable amount of fat and are within at least 20 pounds of their ideal weight. The results you get from CoolSculpting can be an excellent motivator for living a healthy lifestyle and pursuing a weight loss program. It’s also a good and worthy investment for keeping your body in shape.  

Other Common Areas That Can Be Treated With CoolSculpting 

This advanced contouring technology is approved by the US FDA for use in nine treatment areas. In addition to the hips, some of the body parts that can be treated with cryolipolysis technology are: 

  • Thighs – Cosmetic providers can use the CoolAdvantage and CoolSmooth applicators to treat excess fat on the inner and outer thigh areas and improve the appearance of saddlebags.  
  • Abdomen – The CoolAdvantage applicator can also help achieve a slimmer stomach and remove the unsightly flanks or belly fat. 
  • Upper arms – Medical spas can use the special CoolAdvantage Petite device to reduce the flab and excess fat in the upper arms. 
  • Under the chin – CoolSculpting can also contour the facial profile and get rid of a double chin with the help of the CoolMini applicator. 
  • Buttocks – You can enhance the shape of your butt and remove the pesky ‘banana roll’ appearance with a CoolAdvantage applicator. 
  • Bra fat – Women who struggle with a bra bulge can also benefit from fat removal with a CoolMini applicator. 
  • Back fat – The CoolAdvantage Plus applicator can be used to target the pockets of fat folds that appear on the upper and lower back. 

Try Non-Surgical Body Contouring With Ethos Spa’s Effective CoolSculpting Treatments 

CoolSculpting is a convenient treatment choice for those who want to get rid of stubborn fat in the hips. It offers promising fat reduction results in just 2 to 3 treatments and it’s a completely safe and low-risk procedure. 

Your dream body is within your reach with effective CoolSculpting treatments at Ethos Spa. We have a team of expertly trained physicians who can help you with a custom treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs and aesthetic goals. Contact us now to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists and discover how we can help you achieve your body contouring goals.

Learn More: How Many Areas Can Be Effectively Treated By CoolSculpting At The Same Time?

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