CoolSculpting For Arms

CoolSculpting is effective on the upper arms. If arm fat & mild laxity is a problematic area, CoolSculpting is the procedure that can yield a non-surgical solution to reduce ‘tuckshop arms.’ 

CoolSculpting candidates are in good health, who are within 10 kilograms of their ideal weight. Patients with excess fat & mild skin laxity do best. An excess amount of loose skin will not be treated with this procedure. CoolSculpting for the arms is suitable for patients who have arm flab which diet & exercise has not improved its appearance. In many cases, especially in women, this excess fat in the upper arms can be hormonally related, often presenting in the early 40’s.

CoolSculpting works by cryolipolysis, or destruction of fat cells with cold, hence the term ‘fat freezing.’ CoolSculpting works by delivering controlled cooling to target the fat cells underneath the skin gently and effectively. 

The targeted areas are chilled to minus 5 to13 degrees, resulting in crystallisation of the fat. This leads to programmed cell destruction. Your body naturally processes the crystallised fat, & eliminates these dead fat cells.

When you see us for a consultation our therapists will take photographs of the areas which concern you. We measure the treatment areas & arm circumference & will determine which applicator size is best for your arms. This custom plan to ensure the best fit will give you the results you are looking for.

Results are seen as early as 4 weeks after CoolSculpting, however are maximal at 4 months. One treatment gives up to 25 % reduction in localised fat. 

Improvements in skin laxity can be seen at 6-7 months.

The number of CoolSculpting sessions depends on the amount of fat in the upper arms & your goals. Each session gives a 25% reduction in the area treated. If there is a significant amount of fat in your upper arms, typically two sessions are required, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. 

Each patient is unique & a bespoke treatment plan will be formulated for you during the consultation. 

At Cutis Dermatology we pride ourselves on giving the best outcomes for our patients. Book a consultation with our experienced therapists & nurses to discuss if this treatment is right for your goals. During the consult we-

• Assess your BMI & weight
• Assess the amount of fat vs muscle
• Gauge the amount of skin laxity as a proportion of skin, fat, & muscle
• Formulate a treatment plan based upon all these factors

CoolSculpting is designed to reduce underarm fat, however it is effective for mild skin laxity. This is because cryolipolysis creates inflammation which contracts collagen. The improvement in skin laxity is not as predictable as fat reduction. Whilst fat reduction can be seen as early as 4 weeks, skin tightening often takes 6-7 months for best results. 

If you have skin laxity, we often combine CoolSculpting for the arms with another treatment called radiofrequency.  More on this in the next question.

If you have mild to moderate skin laxity, you may be a candidate for skin tightening procedures that includes radiofrequency or HIFU. We prefer using radiofrequency in this area as it provides better results. At Cutis Dermatology we employ-

NuEra radiofrequency: fast heating with great results. 4-6 sessions indicated.

Tempsure / Pelleve: slow heating with good results. 3-5 sessions indicated.

CoolSculpting has fewer side effects than liposuction of the arms. Unlike surgical procedures, there are no skin scars with cryolipolysis. 

Side effects include swelling, bruising & skin sensitivity. More significant side effects such as localised tenderness of the arms is due to prolonged inflammation of the fat. This resolves within 2-6 weeks. 

Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is when fat cells in the treatment side enlarge. It is extremely uncommon, & primarily occurs on the abdominal areas in male patients.

CoolSculpting can body sculpt other areas. This treatment is excellent for reducing focal fat bulges & stubborn areas not amenable to diet & exercise. 

• Neck fat or double chin
• Flanks or love handles
• Abdominal area
• Persistent bra fat
• Thighs & knee fat
• Banana rolls

Arm lift surgery known as brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes fat & loose skin from the arms. This procedure is best for patients with significant under arm fat with severe skin laxity, as surgery removes excess skin tissue. 

This procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon under GA. This type of arm lift procedure is best for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight & have a large amount of excess skin with significant laxity. The recovery process is typically 4-8 weeks. 

NuEra is a radiofrequency treatment that is used to tighten the skin. It is indicated for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity of the arms. NuEra is a powerful, yet non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that heats the deeper layers of skin, in turn causing collagen contraction & stimulation. 

NuEra can be used for skin tightening in many areas of the body along with CoolSculpting, including the arms, abdomen, under chin area, jawline, buttocks, abdomen, & legs. This treatment is typically performed 2-4 weeks after CoolSculpting. 

Targeted exercises & healthy lifestyle choices will compound your gains. Remember CoolSculpting is designed for focal fat reduction. It does not replace healthy eating & moderate exercise. 

A good way to tone the arm area is with resistance training. Ideally these exercises should be commenced prior to CoolSculpting & maintained post treatment. In most cases you can resume physical exercise 1-4 days after CoolSculpting for the arms. 

The two groups of exercises for improving the tone of the upper arms include targeted triceps & biceps exercises. Triceps resistance training: include close grip push ups, or triceps extension exercises. Bicep resistance training: include curls & partial chin ups & pulldowns.