If you have searched for non-surgical fat reduction, you have probably encountered both cryolipolysis and CoolSculpting. The most common question we get: are they the same? Short answer: CoolSculpting is a brand name for cryolipolysis, not a different technology.
What is cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive medical procedure that applies controlled cold (between -5 °C and -10 °C) to the target area to destroy adipocytes (fat cells) without damaging skin or surrounding tissue. The damaged cells are naturally processed and cleared by the lymphatic system over 8-12 weeks. Common areas: abdomen, flanks, back, arms, thighs, double chin, male chest.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is the original commercial brand of cryolipolysis, developed by Zeltiq Aesthetics and later acquired by Allergan (same company as Botox). It's an FDA-approved cryolipolysis system primarily marketed in the US and European markets. The underlying technology is cryolipolysis.
Practical differences
- Technology: both rely on the same principle (cooling-induced apoptosis of adipocytes). Effectiveness depends more on operator, parameters, and specific device than on the brand name.
- Certified equipment: many manufacturers offer cryolipolysis devices with FDA, CE Marking, ANVISA, etc. At Elyzea we use a medically certified device with equivalent technology.
- Availability in Peru: CoolSculpting brand has limited Peru presence. Reputable aesthetic centers offer cryolipolysis with certified devices — equivalent quality at significantly lower price.
- Pricing: CoolSculpting in the US costs $700-1,500 per zone. Medical cryolipolysis in Lima starts at $114 — 3-7× more accessible for the same technique.
What actually matters
Brand name is not the deciding factor. Look for:
- Medical supervision: a physician — ideally a plastic surgeon — should evaluate candidacy, fat thickness, and rule out contraindications (prior cryopanniculitis, hernias).
- Certified equipment: verify health authority registration (DIGEMID in Peru, FDA or CE).
- Safe protocols: proper application time (at Elyzea, each session lasts 45 minutes and includes 2 applicators on one zone; on the double chin a single small applicator made for that area is used), correct use of antifreeze membrane, post-treatment massage.
- Realistic expectations: cryolipolysis reduces fat layer thickness by 20-25% per session. It's not liposuction, not a weight loss tool. It targets stubborn pockets that don't respond to diet and exercise.
How many sessions do I need?
Most patients see visible results from the first session. For best results 4 cryolipolysis sessions are usually advised, though many patients do just one; at Elyzea we leave 20 days between two sessions on the same zone, and the Cryolipolysis Package bundles 4 sessions for S/1,200 (~US$343), which can be split across zones. Full results show between day 60 and 90 after treatment, once the body has cleared the treated fat cells.
Cryolipolysis at Elyzea — for the right candidate
Cryolipolysis (commercially branded as CoolSculpting and equivalents) uses controlled cooling to selectively destroy adipocytes (fat cells) in localized treatment zones. The technology is FDA-cleared and produces visible fat reduction in 2–3 months as the body clears the destroyed cells naturally. It is not a weight-loss procedure — it is a contouring procedure for localized fat deposits on patients with stable weight and reasonable BMI. Best candidates: patients within 10–15 lbs of their goal weight with localized fat (abdominal, flank, back, inner-thigh) that resists exercise and diet. At Elyzea, the protocol is calibrated to your specific anatomy. For patients with skin laxity in addition to localized fat, combining cryolipolysis with body Morpheus8 produces stronger combined results.
Why Elyzea is different in Lima
Beyond the device, what changes outcomes is the clinical setup: an MD anesthesiologist on-site when protocols require it, a private recovery room, and a surgeon-led treatment plan. Plan your visit.
Transparent pricing — no surprises
Every treatment Elyzea offers is listed on our published price list. Dra. Geldres’s evaluation determines protocol, sessions, and any combination plan; the per-session prices on the public list are what you pay. There are no opaque "personalized quotes" that scale to perceived ability to pay, no pressure-package upsells, and no surprise invoice items at checkout.
Anesthesia tier (topical, nerve block, oral sedation, or conscious IV sedation) is matched to the protocol depth and explained transparently before treatment. When a treatment is part of a multi-modality plan (HIFU + Morpheus8, fillers + CO₂, etc.), the full cost is mapped out before any commitment. Lima pricing reflects local cost structure — significantly below US clinics for comparable treatments — and the public price list ensures the savings actually reach the patient.
Conclusion
CoolSculpting and medical cryolipolysis with certified equipment deliver equivalent results when properly applied. The biggest differences are marketing and price, not technology. What matters is medical judgment in selecting candidates, defining zones, and designing personalized protocols.
At Elyzea we use a certified medical cryolipolysis device, with every case evaluated by Dra. Geldres, board-certified plastic surgeon. Message us on WhatsApp.