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The effects of CoolSculpting should start within a few weeks, but the full effect may take 3-4 months<ref name="CsPig"/>.
='DIY CoolSculpting'=
Having reviewed the evidence for the commercial CoolSculpting, I wondered if it would be possible to replicate the effects by simply applying ice to the skin. An early study of CoolSculpting showed a reduction in the fat levels from -1c/31f, though not as great a loss as colder temperatures<ref name="CryoNovel"/>. The levels of fat on my legs are noticeably lower than other parts of my body, which might be the result of regular icing. There is evidence that applying ice to the skin produces an inflammation response in just a few minutes<ref name="CyroMeta"/>, so this approach seems viable. '''Use only ice cubes in a bag. Do not use gel packs as these are cold enough to cause skin damage.''' For more details, see [[Cryotherapy]].
==Testing 'DIY CoolSculpting'==
So I undertook a simple experiment and applied a bag of ice to the right side of my abdomen for 1-3 hours a day for two weeks. I generally did this in the evenings, applying the ice while watching TV or reading. While the ice is initially uncomfortable and cold, this sensation disappears in a couple of minutes. It also seems that after the first few times the ice is applied, the discomfort is far less.
<ref name="CryoSkin">Critical temperature for skin necrosis in experi... [Cryobiology. 1982] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7105779 </ref>
<ref name="CellDeath">What temperature is lethal for cells? [J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1979] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/110858 </ref>
<ref name="CryoNovel">Selective cryolysis: a novel method of non-i... [Lasers Surg Med. 2008] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18951424 </ref>
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