Five things. It takes several cycles and two to three months to show. The first minutes are cold and pulling, and the area is numb and tender for one to three weeks. It treats a pinchable bulge, not weight or loose skin. The US clearance for the body areas is for people with a body mass index of 30 or under. And there is a rare complication, about 1 in 3,000 treatments by the manufacturer's figure, where the fat grows instead of shrinking and may need surgery to correct. Every one of them is discussed at the free consultation at Cool Clinic, 130 Harley Street, before you book.
The wait and the cycles
A cycle takes 35 to 60 minutes and clears a share of the fat under the applicator. Most areas need two to six cycles over one or two visits, four to eight weeks apart, and the result is judged about eight weeks after the last. The change can start from about four weeks and most of it is in by three months. The sessions page sets out the counts per area.
What it feels like, and afterwards
In our experience, intense cold, pulling and stinging for the first five to ten minutes until the area goes numb, then little. After the cycle the area is red, firm and often bruised, and numb or tingling for one to three weeks, occasionally longer; in the upper arm study summarised for the FDA, four of 30 patients still had numbness beyond twelve weeks (the manufacturer's safety document counts seven cases). In a 2022 series of 91 patients on the current applicators, 78% rated the pain 1 or 2 out of 5. Severe pain, and late pain starting days later, are each reported at about 1 in 6,000 treatments.
The rare complications, with their rates
The manufacturer publishes rates per treatment:
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, the treated fat growing larger and firmer two to five months later: 1 in 3,000
- Severe pain, and late-onset pain: 1 in 6,000 each
- A change in skin colour: 1 in 11,000
- A freeze burn: 1 in 15,000
- A visible edge between treated and untreated fat: 1 in 20,000
- Fainting, and a hard lump: 1 in 30,000 each
- A cold-induced inflammation of the fat: 1 in 60,000
- A hernia: 1 in 185,000
A 2025 analysis that pooled 28 studies and 13,078 patients put paradoxical adipose hyperplasia higher, at 0.22% of patients, about 1 in 455. It is usually corrected with liposuction, and the clinician explains it before you book. Under the chin, a weakness of the lower lip, the tongue pulling to one side or a dry mouth are the reported extras.
Who it is not for
People with cryoglobulinaemia, paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria or cold agglutinin disease, three blood conditions triggered by cold, cannot have it. A cold allergy (cold urticaria), Raynaud's, chilblains, poor circulation, nerve pain in the area, a bleeding disorder, a hernia near the area and an implanted device need the clinician's judgment, and pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been studied. Loose skin does not tighten with it and a muscle that has lost tone does not firm; EMsculpt NEO at the same clinic covers that. The worth it page sets out who responds best.
Why people have it anyway
Because for the right bulge it works without a cut, a needle or, usually, time off. The studies measure the fat layer around 20% thinner. Satisfaction runs from 62% on the abdomen to 93.3% on the inner thigh in the manufacturer's table, and was 84% in the 2022 series of 91, with no serious complication. Our patients review the clinic on review.clinic, where Cool Clinic holds 4.8 out of 5 from 54 reviews, with 100% saying the treatment was worth it (November 2026).
Book a free consultation
Call Cool Clinic on 0207 043 1117 or use the form below. The clinician goes through each of these for your area and gives you the plan and the price in writing.
