How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?
Key takeaways:
CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is an outpatient cosmetic procedure that uses cold temperatures to remove unwanted fat from the body.
The cost of CoolSculpting procedure ranges from $600 to more than $1,000 per treatment area, depending on the part of the body and the number of sessions needed to achieve your goals.
Because CoolSculpting is not considered medically necessary, the cost of the procedure is rarely covered by health insurance plans.
Table of contents
CoolSculpting is the brand name for cryolipolysis, a noninvasive procedure that freezes fat cells to shape specific body parts. The FDA first cleared this technique in 2010 for eliminating unwanted fat in the flanks, or love handles. Today, CoolSculpting is approved for use on nine parts of the body.
The average cost for treatment is $3,200, according to the CoolSculpting website. A treatment may include multiple sessions and body areas. This is the case for both the original, one-applicator CoolSculpting and CoolSculpting Elite, which are machines with two applicators to treat two areas at once. Depending on the targeted body part and other factors, a single session can cost from $600 to more than $1,000.
Since it’s a cosmetic procedure like liposuction and buccal fat removal, CoolSculpting is not generally covered by insurance. Some providers may offer financing to offset your costs, though.
ED treatment on your terms
Build a personalized treatment plan and get erectile meds delivered discreetly. Subscriptions start at just $18/mo.
GoodRx is NOT insurance. Cancel anytime. GoodRx Health information and resources are reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure that shapes parts of your body by using cold temperatures to remove unwanted fat. The technique works by targeting and freezing fat cells using a CoolSculpting device. Fat in the targeted area is processed and destroyed by the body over several months. This results in a more sculpted look in the treated area.
CoolSculpting is a cosmetic procedure — not a weight-loss solution. A treatment plan typically begins with an initial consultation with a doctor to review an individual’s health and body-contouring goals.
Before a treatment session, the doctor will mark the targeted area. They will use a CoolSculpting applicator to vacuum, or suction, the fatty tissues together so they can receive the cold temperatures. Many people experience a slight numbing or cooling sensation during this time. After the applicator is removed, the area is massaged for a few minutes to help break up the fat cells. If you have a CoolSculpting Elite treatment, two applicators are applied to different body parts at the same time.
Depending on the targeted area, each treatment takes 35 to 75 minutes to complete. On average, an entire session lasts 1 to 3 hours. You can have multiple “cycles” of treatment during one session. Coolsculpting requires little-to-no down time, and most people can resume their usual activities immediately afterward.
Generally, it takes 1 to 3 months for your body to naturally eliminate treated fat cells. However, it can take 4 to 6 months for them to completely leave the body. The average person experiences a 10% to 25% fat reduction in the treated area, according to studies that measure by ultrasound imaging.
What parts of the body can have CoolSculpting?
The FDA has cleared CoolSculpting for the following body areas:
Abdomen
Back fat
Beneath the buttocks (banana roll)
Bra-strap-region fat
Flanks (love handles)
Thighs (outer, inner, distal)
Under the chin
Under the jawline
Upper arms
Liposuction cost: Depending on your needs, liposuction might be a better option to remove fat. Learn more about the cost of liposuction and what to expect from the procedure.
The cost to remove a double chin: Double chin procedures can reduce fat around the face and chin area. Check out our guide to the cost of surgical and nonsurgical options.
Cheek-thinning procedures: Buccal fat removal, or cheek-thinning surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that thins out and contours the cheeks. Find out what you can expect to pay.
During your consultation, your doctor can help you create a plan based on your body-sculpting goals.
How much does CoolSculpting typically cost?
According to the official CoolSculpting website, the average cost of this fat-reduction procedure is $3,200 for full treatment on an area, which usually includes multiple sessions. However, individual sessions can range from $600 to more than $1,000.
Prices per session can be reduced if you buy bundled treatments.
For instance, this Houston medical spa’s sessions can be $600 to $750 each if purchased in packages.
This Orlando, Florida, facility reports sessions ranging from $600 to $1,500 in the Central Florida area, depending on the size of the applicator and the number of sessions.
A single session costs $750 at this Los Angeles-area medical spa with multiple locations, and the price can drop to less than $500 per session when purchasing a package of 12 treatments.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that the average national physician’s fee in 2020 for noninvasive fat reduction treatments including CoolSculpting was around $1,437.
Prices depend on several factors, including:
The targeted area of the body (larger areas are usually more expensive)
Applicator type and quantity
Number of treatments (more treatments usually cost more)
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 dermatologists typically cost more than nurses and medical spa technicians)
Geographic location
Additional medical equipment or technology, such as multiple applicators and sizes
Facility fees and other overhead costs
Is CoolSculpting worth it?
CoolSculpting is considered safe and effective for most people. It may be worth pursuing 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 through other means, such as exercise or diet
Want a more contoured look on specific areas of the body, such as the thighs, back, or flanks
Have a lower body mass and are at or near your ideal body weight
Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CoolSculpting, some of which are fully or partially funded by Allergan Aesthetics, which owns the CoolSculpting technology. According to one study published in 2022,89.6% participants were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with treatment results on the abdomen and flanks.
A 2021 paper found that the procedure is most effective for people who undergo several cycles of treatment during one session instead of only one. Patients in that study reported 88% satisfaction.
Although it’s generally effective, CoolSculpting is not suitable for everyone. You may want to avoid this procedure if you have certain health conditions, which include:
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
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia: 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 due to cold or stress
Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you’re a good candidate for CoolSculpting.
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.
How long does CoolSculpting last?
A study of two men who each had the procedure on only one side of the body showed continued long-term benefits of CoolSculpting 6 years and 9 years, respectively, 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 healthy diets and active lifestyles may experience the most long-lasting results.
What are the risks of CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is generally considered safe. This is because it is a noninvasive, in-office, outpatient procedure that requires little recovery time. According to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, fewer than 1% of people who undergo CoolSculpting reported complications.
Still, CoolSculpting has risks that may include:
Bruising
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Temporary numbness
In very few cases — 0.05% and 0.39% — 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.
PAH is more common in males and individuals of Latino or Hispanic heritage. The complication also may occur when using old applicators or targeting larger sections of the body, such as the abdomen. PAH can be treated with a corrective procedure, such as liposuction.
What are the challenges involved in recovering from CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is not a surgical procedure, so there is minimal to no recovery time. After the session, most people can continue with their activities as usual without physical limitations.
If there are side effects, such as swelling or redness, they should resolve within a few days or weeks. If they do not, or if you experience pain, consult your doctor.
It may take up to 6 months after treatment to see the full results. You may achieve more fat reduction with additional sessions.
Are there alternatives I should consider?
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 removes excess fat around the neck and chin area
Emsculpt, an electromagnetic treatment that builds muscle and contours areas of the body
The bottom line
CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a noninvasive treatment approved to freeze fat cells in nine areas of the body. Since it’s not a surgery, CoolSculpting is considered safe for most people. Results may take time, as treated fat cells could take 6 months to be eliminated by the body. Treated fat cells will not return, but new fat can be generated in the same areas without adequate diet and exercise.
A single CoolSculpting session can range from $600 to more than $1,000. If bundled into packages of multiple sessions, individual treatments can cost less. CoolSculpting is considered safe for most people, but there are risks. Since fat freezing is not considered medically necessary, CoolSculpting is rarely covered by insurance. Some providers may offer financing plans.
Why trust our experts?
References
Ali, Y.H. (2018). Laser-assisted lipolysis burn safety: Proposed detailed parameters with assessment of their efficacy and safety. Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). How much does nonsurgical fat reduction cost?.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2020). Plastic surgery statistics report.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.).What is cryolipolysis?.
Bernstein, E. (2016). Long-term efficacy follow-up on two cryolipolysis case studies: 6 and 9 years post-treatment. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Cienega Med Spa. (n.d.). CoolSculpting: Freeze your fat off and get the body you’ve always wanted.
CoolSculpting (n.d.). Sculpt: Get rid of stubborn fat for good.
CoolSculpting (n.d.). Journey: A personalized treatment plan.
Cox, E.A., et al. (2022). Characteristics and treatment of patients diagnosed With paradoxical adipose hyperplasia after cryolipolysis: A case series and scoping review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
DaVinci Body Sculpting. (2022). Coolsculpting cost.
DaVinci Body Sculpting. (n.d.). CoolSculpting side effects and risks.
Derrick, C.D., et al. (2015). The safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis: A systematic review of available literature. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Emsculpt. (n.d.). Emsculpt: Build muscle, sculpt your body.
McKeown, D.J., et. al. (2021). Significant improvement in body contour with multiple cycles of CoolSculpting: Results of a prospective study. Dermatologic Therapy.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. (n.d.). CoolSculpting FAQs.
Krstic, Z. (2022). How CoolSculpting's potential side effects impact the cosmetic procedure's risk. Good Housekeeping.
Nikolis, A., et al. (2021). A multicenter evaluation of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia following cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: A review of 8,658 cycles in 2,114 patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Primera Body Designs. (n.d.). CoolSculpting.
Savacini, M.B., et al. (2018). Effectiveness and safety of contrast cryolipolysis for subcutaneous-fat reduction. Dermatology Research and Practice Journal.
SculpSure. (n.d.). Heat treat your stubborn body fat.
Tan, T., et al. (2022). High participant satisfaction achieved using cryolipolysis for fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
