CoolSculpting® Fat-Freezing in Raleigh – How it Works, Results & FAQs

CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical treatment that reduces fat by freezing it—literally. It’s a popular option for people who are near their ideal weight but want to target specific areas of stubborn fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise.

But what does “freezing fat” really mean? Does it hurt? Is it safe? And what kind of results can you expect?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from how the treatment works to who it’s right for, how much it costs, and what kind of results are realistic.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

CoolSculpting is based on a process called cryolipolysis, which literally means “cold-induced fat cell death.”

Here’s how it works:

Targeted Cooling: A special applicator is placed on the treatment area. It gently pulls the skin into the applicator cup and cools it to a controlled temperature that’s cold enough to damage fat cells, but not cold enough to hurt skin or muscle.
Fat Cell Breakdown: The cooling process triggers apoptosis, a natural response where fat cells break down and die over time.
Natural Elimination: Over the next few weeks, your body processes and removes the dead fat cells through the lymphatic system—kind of like how your body gets rid of other waste.

It’s important to point out that CoolSculpting is not an alternative to weight loss. If you need to lose a significant amount of weight then you’ll need to diet and exercise first. CoolSculpting is a ‘spot fat loss’ treatment, meaning it’s designed to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that cannot be removed through diet and exercise alone.

S T E P – 1

Many struggle with unwanted fat and feel uncomfortable in clothing

S T E P – 2

Stubborn fat cells create bulges that are often exercise-resistant

S T E P – 3

CoolSculpting uses controlled cooling to target and crystallize fat cells

S T E P – 4

The SynergySculpt™ Method incorporates Z Wave Radial Pulse Therapy for enhanced fat elimination

S T E P – 5

After treatment, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these cells

S T E P – 6

In the following weeks and months post-treatment, fat cells continue to condense

S T E P – 7

Results are long-term and improvement is visible

Who Is CoolSculpting For?

CoolSculpting is ideal for people who are:

Near their ideal body weight
Living a generally healthy lifestyle
Struggling with specific areas of fat that won’t go away with diet or exercise
Looking for a non-surgical, no-downtime alternative to liposuction

It’s not the right fit for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if:

You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You have a BMI over 30
You’re looking for significant weight loss
You have cold-related conditions like cryoglobulinemia or Raynaud’s disease
You have loose or sagging skin instead of firm fat bulges

A consultation with a trained provider is the best way to know if CoolSculpting is right for you. They’ll assess your goals, body composition, and skin tone before recommending a treatment plan.

What Areas Can Be Treated?

Waistline (“Love Handles” or “Muffin Tops”)
Abdomen
Back
Arms
Bra Fat
Double Chin
Banana Rolls
Knees

What Is the Treatment Experience Like?

Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after a CoolSculpting session:

Before

You’ll meet with a provider to assess your goals and mark the treatment areas.
Your skin will be prepped and cleaned.

During

The applicator is applied to the area, and suction pulls your skin gently into the device.
Controlled cooling begins. Most people feel intense cold, tingling, or pressure at first, but this typically subsides as the area becomes numb (within 5–10 minutes).
Sessions last around 35 minutes per area, depending on the applicator used.

After

The applicator is removed, and the area is massaged to help break up frozen fat cells.
You may have redness, tenderness, or numbness—but most people return to work or daily activities right away.
There’s no required downtime.

The Benefits of CoolSculpting

1. Truly non-surgical

No scalpels, sutures, or anesthesia. After the treatment, you can head straight back to work. Most patients report nothing more than temporary numbness or mild swelling—no PTO required.

2. Natural-looking sculpting

Because fat cells die gradually and are cleared by your lymphatic system, your silhouette refines over 8-12 weeks. Friends notice you look fitter, not “fresh out of surgery,” and there are zero incision lines to give you away.

3. Targeted precision for “trouble spots”

Diet and exercise burn calories system-wide, but can’t decide where the fat comes off. CoolSculpting lets you place the applicator exactly on that lower-belly pooch, banana roll, or under-chin bulge and reduce it by roughly 20-25% per session.

4. Evidence-backed safety profile

Doctors have done over 11 million CoolSculpting sessions worldwide. Serious problems are very rare—fewer than 5 cases in 100,000 treatments. The FDA has trusted the technology since 2010, and 100-plus scientific studies back up its safety and results.

Book a CoolSculpting treatment session

If you have stubborn pockets of fat on your body that you haven’t been able to get rid of with diet and exercise alone then CoolSculpting could be the perfect treatment for you.

Get in touch now to book a CoolSculpting session at a time that’s convenient for you.