Treatment Areas
Non-Surgical Love Handle and Flank Fat Reduction in Alpharetta, GA
Love handles, the soft pockets of fat on the sides of your waist, often stay put even for people who work out regularly. That is common, and it does not mean you have done anything wrong. At Sculpted Contours in Alpharetta, we treat the flanks without surgery using CoolSculpting ELITE and TruSculpt iD.
We often plan the flanks alongside the abdomen for a more even waistline. This page explains how each option works, who may be a good fit, what a visit looks like, when changes show, and where these treatments stop.
What Are Love Handles?
Love handles, or flanks, are the pockets of fat on the sides of the waist, just above the hips. The fat there is usually subcutaneous fat, the soft, pinchable layer under the skin, and that is the layer non-surgical fat reduction targets.
These treatments are not a weight loss method. They also do not reach visceral fat, which sits deeper in the abdomen behind the muscle wall.
Which Treatment Fits Your Flanks?
The right option depends on the shape of the fat and what else you want to change.
| What you notice | Option the team may discuss |
|---|---|
| A soft pocket you can pinch on each side | CoolSculpting ELITE |
| Flatter fat, or a shape a cup applicator does not fit well | TruSculpt iD |
| Fat on your sides and your belly | A combined plan for the flanks and abdomen |
| You also want firmer core muscles | TruSculpt FLEX added to the plan |
CoolSculpting ELITE for Love Handles
CoolSculpting ELITE uses controlled cooling, called cryolipolysis, to target fat cells under the skin, and the FDA has cleared it for the flank, or love handles. The practice’s ELITE dual systems can treat two areas at once, so both sides can often be treated in the same appointment.
Each cycle takes 35 to 75 minutes depending on the applicator and area. Read more about how a CoolSculpting ELITE session works.
TruSculpt iD for the Flanks
TruSculpt iD uses radiofrequency heat through flat applicators, and a treatment takes about 15 minutes. In a published pilot study of 19 people, one session reduced fat-layer thickness on the flanks by an average of about 22 percent at 12 weeks, and results vary.
The flanks fall outside TruSculpt iD’s FDA-cleared abdomen indication, and your provider explains what that means at your consultation. Learn more about our TruSculpt iD treatment.
Combining Treatments
Some plans pair CoolSculpting with TruSculpt iD, which the practice calls Fire & Ice. Others add TruSculpt FLEX to tone the abdominal muscles, including the obliques along your sides.
Many people treat their flanks together with belly fat reduction for a smoother waistline. Combined plans like these fall under the Advanced Body Contouring (ABC) Protocol.
─ FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
Not Sure Which Option Fits Your Love Handles?
At your complimentary consultation, we assess your flanks, explain which option may fit, and outline a realistic plan.
Who May Be a Good Fit for Flank Treatment?
You may be a good fit if you:
- Have a soft pocket of fat on your sides that has not changed much with diet and exercise
- Are close to a stable weight
- Can wait several weeks to a few months for gradual change
Treatment may not be right for you if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic or metal device (for TruSculpt iD)
- Have an infection or recent surgery in the area
- Mainly want to lose weight or tighten loose skin
Men often carry stubborn fat on the flanks too. Our page on CoolSculpting for men’s love handles explains the options, and the consultation confirms whether treatment suits you.
What These Treatments Do Not Do
Knowing the limits helps you set realistic goals.
- They are not a weight loss method.
- They do not reach visceral fat behind the muscle wall.
- CoolSculpting is designed to reduce fat, not tighten skin, and TruSculpt iD is not a skin-tightening treatment.
- TruSculpt FLEX builds muscle and does not reduce fat.
What Happens at Your Visit?
Here is how a typical flank plan starts:
- Consultation. We look at the fat on your sides and belly, explain which options may fit, and give you a personalized plan and quote.
- Treatment day. Your provider marks each side and places the applicators. With CoolSculpting, you feel intense cold and mild pressure at first, and then the area goes numb. With TruSculpt iD, most people describe a deep but tolerable warmth.
- Afterward. Most people return to their usual routine right after. The area may look red or feel swollen, numb, tingly, or tender for a while, and with CoolSculpting it may stay tender for up to two weeks.
When Will You See a Change in Your Waistline?
Your body clears treated fat cells gradually, so changes build over weeks.
| Treatment | When many people notice changes |
|---|---|
| CoolSculpting ELITE | From about 3 weeks, most visible at 2 to 3 months, and can keep improving for up to 6 months |
| TruSculpt iD | From about 4 to 6 weeks, developing over about 3 months |
Results vary from person to person. You can browse more client results by area from the practice, keeping in mind that every body responds differently.
How Do You Keep Your Results?
The practice states that treated fat cells do not regenerate. The fat cells that remain can still grow if you gain weight, so keeping a steady weight helps protect your results.
If you want more change later, the same area can be treated again. Your provider can tell you whether another session makes sense once your results have developed.
What Affects the Cost of Love Handle Treatment?
Your total depends on:
- Which treatment your flanks need
- How many applicators each side needs
- How many sessions your plan includes
- Whether you add the abdomen or TruSculpt FLEX
You receive a personalized quote at your consultation. Our guide to CoolSculpting cost for love handles and other areas explains how pricing works, and qualified applicants can use Cherry financing with 6 months of no interest.
─ PLAN WITH CLEAR NUMBERS
Get a Flank Plan and Quote Built for You
We map your treatment for both sides, explain your session plan, and give you a personalized quote before you decide.
advanced body contouring procedures for flanks
COOLSCULPTING
COOLSCULPTING
TRUSCULPT ID
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Why Alpharetta Clients Choose Sculpted Contours for Their Flanks
- Led by a former CoolSculpting trainer. Kathy King, Owner and Managing Director, trained Georgia physicians and their staff on CoolSculpting and personally trains the team behind every flank plan. The treating team is trained through CoolSculpting University.
- Medical Director oversight. Dr. Pradeep Sinha, Medical Director, oversees treatments and protocols.
- Experience. The practice reports more than 15,000 CoolSculpting procedures since 2014, holds the Diamond Crystal Award for CoolSculpting volume, and is recognized as a Platinum-Level TruSculpt Practice.
- Both sides at once. ELITE dual systems in two private treatment suites.
- A private setting. Treatments take place at our Alpharetta med spa on Royal Blvd S, a short drive from Milton, Johns Creek, Roswell, and Cumming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Love Handle Fat Reduction
Can both love handles be treated in one visit?
Yes, in many cases. The practice’s CoolSculpting ELITE dual systems can treat two areas at once, and TruSculpt iD can run up to six applicators in one treatment.
How many sessions do love handles need?
Many plans include one to three sessions per area, depending on how thick the fat is and how much change you want. Our article on how many sessions love handles may need explains how plans are built.
Is CoolSculpting FDA-cleared for love handles?
Yes. The FDA has cleared CoolSculpting for the flank, or love handles, and you can view the FDA 510(k) record that lists the flank.
Can I treat my love handles and stomach at the same time?
Yes. Many plans treat the flanks and abdomen together, and the dual systems let the team work on two areas in one appointment.
Who is not a good candidate for love handle CoolSculpting?
People with certain cold-related medical conditions should not have cryolipolysis, and people with loose skin or poor skin tone may not be good candidates, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons overview of cryolipolysis. Your consultation is where your fit is assessed.
─ NO PRESSURE, JUST ANSWERS
Talk Through Your Waistline Goals With Our Team
Bring your questions to a complimentary consultation. We explain what may help, what will not, and what a first plan looks like.
