CoolSculpting Safety: What You Need to Know

The demand for non-surgical fat reduction continues to grow, as does the technology behind CoolSculpting®. While extremely rare, some patients can experience a complication called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)—a condition where treated areas become firmer and larger, rather than smaller. This complication is more likely with earlier CoolSculpting models, and especially when performed by an under-qualified provider.

This is one of the reasons we offer the latest model, CoolSculpting Elite, at our Colorado Springs medical spa. Here, we share important updates on the safety and efficacy of CoolSculpting and why CoolSculpting Elite is our top choice for non-surgical fat reduction.

What is CoolSculpting and how does it eliminate unwanted fat?

CoolSculpting is based on a fat-freezing technology called cryolipolysis, which non-surgically reduces unwanted fat deposits in the body. The system uses specialized applicators with two cooling plates that gently suction the skin and fatty tissue into the applicator and then precisely lower the targeted tissue’s temperature to -10ºC (14ºF). This controlled process freezes fat cells without harming other tissues, such as your blood vessels, nerves, or the skin. The frozen fat cells disintegrate and are processed out of the body through the normal channels of elimination over the next few weeks.

Is CoolSculpting safe?

Yes—especially when performed at a physician-led medical spa with extensive CoolSculpting experience, CoolSculpting is safe. Our co-founders, Dr. Kenya Lee and Dr. Marvin Lee, bring years of medical expertise to ensure your treatments are both effective and secure. The fat-reduction procedure has been FDA-cleared for over a decade and has undergone numerous clinical trials and safety reviews.

Common side effects of CoolSculpting are typically mild, temporary, and resolve on their own within a few days after treatment and include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Stinging or pinching
• Numbness

What is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)?

Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) is a highly uncommon complication from CoolSculpting where the treated tissue thickens and expands, retaining the shape and position created by the suction of the applicator to varying degrees. The condition is often described as a “stick of butter” under the skin; however, it can also present as hard knots or uneven fat distribution in treated areas. It is treatable with surgical removal of the affected fat deposits.

How common is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)?

Your risk of experiencing PAH is extremely low; studies over the years show incident rates of between 0.0051% (2014) – 0.39% (2021) and may be more common in male patients.

In 2024, data provided by Allergan, the manufacturer of CoolSculpting, which included all reported PAH cases since 2015, showed PAH occurred in 1 out of every 3,000 CoolSculpting treatments—an incidence rate of 0.033%.

The 2021 study also reported that using the updated CoolSculpting technology, available at our medical spa, reduced rates of PAH by 75%. The likelihood of any complication is minimal, especially when treatments are performed by our trained CoolSculpting technicians. We are proud to share that none of our PureLee Redefined patients have experienced Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) under our care.

Treating Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia

PAH does not resolve without medical intervention, but it poses no health risks. It takes several months for the hardened tissue to soften enough to remove the displaced fat with a surgical procedure such as liposuction. If you feel like you may have PAH, we encourage you to reach out to us. Dr. Kenya Lee or Dr. Marvin Lee would be happy to examine the area and recommend the next steps to help you resolve the issue with compassionate, expert care.

“I’ve been a customer of PureLee Redefined for several months and I can honestly say that the services I’ve received from this spa have been outstanding. A huge shout out to Dr. Kenya Lee who is the kindest, most knowledgeable and professional medical expert I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I have complete trust in her when I am in her chair. I’m very happy to recommend this medical spa to anyone wanting to feel better about themselves. YOU deserve it.”
—5-star Google review

CoolSculpting Elite vs previous models

CoolSculpting Elite represents our commitment to offering you the most advanced treatments available. Here’s why we love it even more than the previous CoolSculpting devices:

• Improved applicators: CoolSculpting Elite features dual applicators in 7 different shapes and sizes for greater comfort and the ability to treat two areas simultaneously.
• Greater fat removal: CoolSculpting Elite removes 20-25% of fat in a single treatment compared to only 18-20% with previous models.
• Faster results: The improved applicators treat about 18% more surface area, and combined with multiple applicators and enhanced cooling technology, you’ll see stronger fat reduction in fewer treatments.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PureLee Redefined (@pureleeredefined)

Experience the latest in non-surgical body contouring

If you’re considering CoolSculpting Elite or an alternative non-surgical body contouring method like EmSculpt Neo, simply schedule a consultation with our expert providers. Under the direction of Dr. Kenya Lee and Dr. Marvin Lee, our Colorado Springs med spa team is dedicated to providing innovative nonsurgical enhancements tailored to your specific needs and goals.