How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost? What to Know About Price, Benefits, and Insurance

CoolSculpting is the brand name for cryolipolysis, a noninvasive procedure that freezes fat cells to shape specific body parts. The FDA cleared this technique and the first device in 2010 for eliminating unwanted fat in the flanks, or love handles. Today, CoolSculpting is approved for use on nine parts of the body as a cosmetic procedure — not a weight-loss solution.

The average cost for treatment is $3,200, according to the CoolSculpting website. This is the case for both the original one-applicator CoolSculpting device and CoolSculpting Elite, which has dual applicators that can treat two areas at once. Since it’s a cosmetic procedure like liposuction and buccal fat removal, CoolSculpting is not generally covered by insurance. Some healthcare professionals may offer financing.

How does CoolSculpting work?

This noninvasive procedure can help shape parts of your body by using cold temperatures to remove unwanted fat. The treatment works by targeting and freezing fat cells using a CoolSculpting device. Those cells are destroyed by the body over several months, which results in a more sculpted look in the treated area.

Depending on the targeted area, one cycle of treatment takes 35 to 75 minutes to complete. You can have multiple cycles of treatment during one session, which can stretch your office visit to 1 to 3 hours. CoolSculpting can result in little-to-no downtime, and most people can resume their usual activities immediately afterward.

Generally, it takes 1 to 3 months for your body to eliminate treated fat cells. But it can take up to 6 months for them to completely leave the body.

How much does CoolSculpting typically cost?

According to the CoolSculpting website, the average cost of this fat-reduction procedure is $3,200 for full treatment on an area, which usually includes multiple sessions. Individual sessions for one area can range from $700 to more than $1,500.

Prices per session can be reduced if you buy bundled treatments.

• For instance, one Houston medical spa’s sessions can be $600 to $750 each per area if purchased in packages.

• A single session with CoolSculpting Elite costs $1,200 for each applicator at one Los Angeles-area medical spa with multiple locations.

Prices depend on several factors, including:

• The targeted area of the body (larger areas usually cost more)

• Applicator type and quantity

• Treatment course (more sessions usually cost more)

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CoolSculpting costs compared with alternatives

If you’re interested in alternatives to CoolSculpting, other options include:

• Liposuction, an invasive procedure that breaks down and sucks out large amounts of fat quickly

• Laser liposuction, which removes moderate amounts of fat and tightens the skin

• SculpSure, a noninvasive treatment that uses heat to remove fat

• Double chin surgery, which refers to surgical and nonsurgical procedures to remove excess fat around the neck and chin area; one treatment is an injection called Kybella

• Emsculpt, an electromagnetic treatment that builds muscle and contours areas of the body

Costs vary based on the area treated and the number of treatment sessions required.

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Fat reduction procedure costs

Sources: Allergan Aesthetics; 2024 American Society of Plastic Surgeons; Healthy Living Primary Care; Manhattan Aesthetics; Krauss Dermatology; CareCredit

What are the additional costs of CoolSculpting?

Other factors that may affect the cost of noninvasive fat reduction procedures such as CoolSculpting include:

• Doctor’s fees (application by a board-certified dermatologist typically costs more than nurses and medical spa technicians)

• Location

• Facility fees

Does insurance cover CoolSculpting?

Not usually. Like many cosmetic procedures, CoolSculpting is rarely covered by insurance.

You may be able to access a financing plan or discounts for buying multiple treatments.

What parts of the body can have CoolSculpting?

The FDA has cleared CoolSculpting for the following body areas:

• Abdomen

• Back fat

• Between the upper thighs beneath the buttocks (banana roll)

• Bra-strap-region fat

• Flanks (love handles)

• Thighs (outer, inner, distal)

• Under the chin

• Under the jawline

• Upper arm

Does CoolSculpting work?

Yes, for many people. CoolSculpting is one of the most popular nonsurgical fat reduction procedures worldwide, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Practices offering the treatment often post before and after photos showing the results of the procedure.

Is CoolSculpting safe?

CoolSculpting is considered safe and effective for most people. This is because it is a noninvasive, outpatient procedure that requires little recovery time. But there are side effects and risks, which we will discuss in the next section.

What are the side effects and risks of CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting has risks that may include:

• Bruising

• Pain

• Redness

• Swelling

• Temporary numbness

In very few cases — less than 1%, according to a researcher with ties to the CoolSculpting device manufacturer — treated individuals may experience paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). This is a very rare condition in which destroying fat cells causes the remaining fat to increase in size. Having PAH can be disfiguring in some cases.

Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is not suitable for everyone. You may want to pursue this treatment if you:

• Want a fat-reduction solution that does not require an incision, needles, or anesthesia

• Want to get rid of persistent fat in an approved area that hasn’t been reduced to your satisfaction by other means, such as exercise or diet

• Want a more contoured look on specific areas of the body that are approved for CoolSculpting, such as the thighs, back, or flanks

• Have a lower body mass and are at or near your ideal body weight

You may want to avoid this procedure if you have certain health conditions, including:

• Cold agglutinin disease: A rare autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack and destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia

• Cold urticaria: A skin condition that causes you to develop hives when cold

• Cryoglobulinemia: When abnormal proteins in the blood thicken in cold temperatures, which can lead to nerve, joint, and organ damage

• Obesity

• PAH: Fatty enlargement of the treatment area months after CoolSculpting

• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: A type of anemia that kills red blood cells when the temperature is too cold

• Raynaud’s phenomenon: A condition in which the fingers or toes turn blue, white, or red because of cold or stress

Discuss your likelihood of complications from CoolSculpting with your healthcare team.

How long does CoolSculpting last?

A study of two men who had the procedure on only one side of the body showed continued long-term benefits of CoolSculpting 6 and 9 years after treatment — even when they gained weight. Fat cells eliminated by the treatment will not return, but new fat can be generated. The durability of CoolSculpting over time depends on your lifestyle. Individuals with balanced diets and active lifestyles often experience the most long-lasting results.

What are the challenges involved in recovering from CoolSculpting?

This isn’t a surgical procedure, so there is minimal to no recovery time. You may want to wear loose-fitting clothing for comfort and avoid intense exercise for the first few days. You also may experience tingling or swelling during the early stages of recovery as your body begins to eliminate the frozen fat cells. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and maintain movement. It may take up to 6 months after treatment to see the full results.

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Written by:

Angela Mae Watson

Angela Mae Watson is a freelance personal finance and health writer. She has more than 8 years of experience educating about financial awareness and literacy.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George, MPH, is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

Reviewed by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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