Onda vs Coolsculpting

by Natalie Shum | Oct 3, 2026 | Blog

Onda vs Coolsculpting: what are they and which is better for you?

With the FDA approval of Onda Pro in the US earlier this year and Onda’s popularity in South Korea as a non-invasive sculpting treatment, you may be wondering how it stacks up against a treatment like Coolsculpting. Here, we break down the pros and cons of each treatment.

What is Onda?

Onda is a non-invasive, microwave–based (yes, like the appliance) treatment that reduces subcutaneous fat, helps improve appearance of cellulite, and has some skin-tightening effects. Onda utilizes 2.45 GHz microwave energy to heat and destroy subcutaneous fat cells; these cells are subsequently passed/excreted out of the body in the coming weeks/months after treatment. Heat also works to stimulate some neocollagenesis, giving a skin tightening effect in treated areas as well. These two effects in combination over areas with cellulite also help improve the appearance of cellulite (also due in part to microwave energy’s ability to somewhat soften the dense fibrous septa responsible for appearance of cellulite). Onda’s primary benefit is lipolysis and cellulite improvement; skin tightening is a secondary benefit.

Onda can treat stubborn pockets of fatty tissue on the body such as the abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, hips, outer thighs, above the knees, arms, back, and submentum (double chin). The latest Onda Pro device has three interchangeable handpieces: small, medium, and large. The small is more shallow and is mainly meant for the face/submentum, the medium is for small to medium areas of the body, while the large is meant for deep pockets of fat (abdomen, thighs) and for larger treatment areas.

Onda Pro Handpieces

What is an Onda treatment like?

A single Onda treatment is generally determined by size of the treatment area. Each treatment area requires a certain amount of delivered energy to be considered successfully treated. The larger an area, the longer the Onda treatment. A non-drying oil is applied over treatment areas (to help glide the handpiece), and the selected handpiece is stroked/rubbed briskly over the treatment area. Onda treatment feels warm/hot on the skin; the Onda Pro handpieces have integrated cooling to make treatment more comfortable. Once the set amount of treatment energy has been delivered, the Onda treatment concludes. For example, half the anterior abdomen may actively take 12-15 minutes; the full anterior abdomen may take 24-30 minutes.

What is Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is a minimally-invasive, cryolipolysis body sculpting treatment that uses the opposite principle (cold vs heat) to selectively damage subcutaneous fat in the body. Rather than heat, Coolsculpting uses extreme cold in handpieces applied over stubborn fat bulges on the body to cause selective fat cell apoptosis; damaged fall cells are excreted in the weeks/months that follow a Coolsculpt treatment. Coolsculpting’s primary purpose is cryolipolysis; Coolsculpting does not have skin tightening benefits.

Coolsculpt can treat stubborn pockets of fatty tissue on the body such as the abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, hips, outer thighs, above the knees, arms, back/bra fat, gluteal fold (“banana roll”), and submentum (double chin).

What is a Coolsculpting treatment like?

The body is assessed to create a comprehensive treatment plan. Desired treatment areas are cleaned and marked. A sticky gel pad is applied over treatment areas to protect superficial skin, then the suitable Coolsculpting handpiece is applied to the area with suction and strapped in place. There are several different Coolsculpting handpieces with different sizes and contours. Because the handpieces are centered over fat bulges, each individual’s treatment plan (appropriate handpiece size/contour) may be different to accommodate unique anatomy.

Once placed, the treatment begins. In the first 10 minutes of treatment, there can be sensations of tingling/cold as the handpiece slowly gets down to the effective temperature. Once 10 minutes have elapsed, treatment areas become completely numb and there is no further sensation. After treatment concludes, the handpiece is removed and treatment areas are massaged for 2 minutes to bring back sensation to the skin and to remove any remaining gel residue from the protective gel pad.

The latest Coolsculpting device, Coolsculpting Elite, has the benefit of double treatment handpieces, which allows two areas to be treated simultaneously (provided that they do not overlap). Treatments range from 35-75 minutes each; treatment time depends on size of area and the handpiece used.