CoolSculpting, also known as freezing fat, is one of the most popular non-invasive body shaping procedures today. This FDA-approved treatment for the reduction of fat cells is regarded as a safe alternative to liposuction. While this revolutionary new body sculpting technique offers great results it also comes with a hefty price tag. DIY coolsculpting has become popular as many look for more affordable alternatives.

What is CoolSculpting Exactly?

CoolSculpting is a safe and effective medical treatment which reduces fat cells in certain areas of the body. This patented technology works by exposing fat cells to temperatures cold enough to freeze and kill them. DIY CoolSculpting isn’t the same FDA approved treatment developed by Zeltiq, though still adheres to basic Cryolipolysis concepts. This type of fat freezing approach works because fat cells are more susceptible to cold temperatures than regular skin and muscle tissues. Fat cells can be destroyed by cold temperatures before any damage is done to skin cells. Some minor side effects are common such as throbbing, stinging or dull aching. These are part of the body’s natural dead cell removal process and disappear in a week or so. By understanding the general process of CoolSculpting one can better understand how more affordable DIY CoolSculpting solutions might be used at home. It’s important to note however these DIY solutions are not FDA approved treatment and one should still consult a licensed doctor before beginning any form of medical treatment.

A Quick Look at CoolSculpting Methods

After realizing the cost of CoolSculpting many people feel discouraged and are quick to seek more affordable solutions. Paying $4000 to help look better in a bikini is just not reasonable for many people. Understanding the Science of CoolSculpting one can better understand how to apply the basics of this treatment as a DIY coolsculpting technique. The basic idea is to expose the area of concern to temperatures cold enough to create a freezing fat effect but not cold enough to cause skin damage. Animal studies show that exposure to 31 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures for as little as 10 minutes was able to cause a reduction in fat ^[1]. This temperature is a bit too low to be considered safe since below freezing temperatures could cause skin damage. Another human study, using the patented CoolSculpting treatment, found positive results when lowering skin temperatures to an average of 11 degrees Fahrenheit ^[2]. This suggests that safer temperatures can offer powerful fat-reducing results as well. This study also found that patients using a smaller applicator to freeze fat cells were able to recover more quickly.

Considerations for DIY CoolSculpting / Freezing Fat at Home

With the above knowledge, one can begin to consider the benefits of home Cryolipolysis methods. Careful considerations should be made to ensure the maximum benefit of DIY coolsculpting technology and to reduce risk. The following considerations should be made before attempting any DIY cool sculpting methods:

1. The temperature of Skin During Treatment
2. Secured Application of Cold Treatment Device
3. Existing Medical Conditions

To help better safeguard against side effects or potentially-dangerous results let’s consider each of these concerns one by one. Before attempting any DIY coolsculpting / fat freezing therapy it is recommended to consult with a licensed medical professional to better understand the potential risks.

Safe Temperatures

The research conducted among groups of people using the official CoolSculpting therapy was noted, on average, to approach the 11 degrees mark. This is cold enough to create a fat freezing effect but still warm enough to avoid such issues as damage to non-fatty tissues. It is possible to use a below-freezing applicator to freeze fat but extreme caution must be used. Consider the below frostbite chart from the National Weather Service to understand how temperature correlates to frostbite risk.

Generally speaking, effective fat-freezing temperatures should be in the 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit range. These require slightly longer treatment times but help reduce the risk of tissue damage. DIY coolsculpting can very easily target this range of temperature though it’s important to measure skin temperature intermittently to ensure maximum safety. A simple infrared thermometer should allow for greater safety with such diy methods.

Secure Application of Treatment

DIY CoolSculpting at home relies on the same basic principles the FDA approved CoolSculpting treatment—applying cold temperatures to the treatment area to freeze fat. The concept is very simple but when using non-approved methods one must take extra precautions to ensure personal safety. One important consideration to make is how well the device supplying cold temperature is applied. More firmly-secured applicators help ensure that fat cells are being effectively targeted. To ensure maximum benefit, make sure you don’t have any areas where the cold compress isn’t touching the treatment area. Also, be certain that your DIY coolsculpting apparatus is not touching exposed skin, at all.

Medical Conditions

There are certain medical conditions which can cause one to respond negatively to cold temperatures. The chances of not being aware of these conditions is slim, considering the temperatures needed for effective fat freezing can be experienced in normal outdoor conditions. Still, you should still check with a medical professional before beginning a DIY fat freezing treatment if you have, or suspect you have, cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria [3]. These conditions can all cause issues to arise when exposed to cold temperatures.

Final Considerations on DIY Coolsculpting

CoolSculpting is a powerful way to provide long-lasting fat removal without undergoing dangerous surgeries such as liposuction. The official FDA-Approved CoolSculpting treatment pioneered by the Zeltiq Corporation has produced some very powerful results. Nonetheless, this treatment option is often out of the price range of most people seeking minor body shaping results. For those with lower budgetary goals, DIY coolsculpting methods can often be a welcomed alternative. Paying close attention to a few key considerations can help avoid unwanted side effects for those considering at home fat freezing treatments. Overall fat freezing technology such as CoolSculpting offers an incredible non-invasive option for reducing fat and body shaping. At home DIY methods can safe tremendous cost and can be done relatively safety when proper attention is given to key details. To learn more about freezing fat and DIY coolsculpting, visit our homepage.

References to Write Our DIY Cool Sculpting Article

1. Manstein D, Laubach H, Watanabe K, Farinelli W, Zurakowski D, Anderson RR. Selective cryolysis: a novel method of non-invasive fat removal. Lasers Surg Med. 2008;40(9):595-604. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20719
2. Sasaki GH, Abelev N, Tevez-ortiz A. Noninvasive selective cryolipolysis and reperfusion recovery for localized natural fat reduction and contouring. Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34(3):420-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X13520320
3. Avram MM, Harry RS. Cryolipolysis for subcutaneous fat layer reduction. Lasers Surg Med. 2009;41(10):703-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20864

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