Cryolipolysis: Non Surgical Fat Reduction, Body Contouring

September 11, 2023

Having a tough time hiding those love handles with stubborn fat that doesn’t budge despite exercising? With Cryolipolysis, it is now possible to freeze and break down unsightly body fat and flaunt a well-toned body.

Cryolipolysis is also called CoolSculpting, a technique performed to freeze fat to eliminate stubborn fat in various parts of your body. The FDA approved the cryolipolysis procedure in 2010[1]. Cryolipolysis emerged when scientists were analyzing the effect of frostbite on body fat. This safe procedure cools stubborn body fat to a specific degree to destroy it without causing any damage to tissues and skin surrounding it. This non-surgical and non-invasive method effectively lowers the amount of unwanted fat cells under the layers of your skin.

What is Cryolipolysis?

Dr. Sonia from Kolors Healthcare explains about Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis is a treatment usually performed to destroy the fat cells in your body by freezing them. It is based on a general principle, including freezing and cooling application within a temperature between -5 and +5 centigrade. This non-invasive procedure targets the fat deposits in a specific area to freeze and reshape the body contours. When the subcutaneous fat cells are exposed to extreme cooling temperatures, it leads to cell apoptosis or cell death without damaging the surrounding tissues. This medical procedure is performed with a customized Cryolipolysis machine, and the process is also called CoolSculpting[2].

Why Cryolipolysis Is So Popular?

As soon as the FDA cleared the Cryolipolysis[3] procedure, people began to show interest in removing the stubborn fat pockets that led to love handles and extra flab on other parts of their bodies. Several reasons also led to its popularity:

As there is no downtime for Cryolipolysis, it was quite comfortable for people to return to their routine after the procedure. They could reply to emails, enjoy a book, or sip coffee during the procedure.
Being a non-invasive procedure, cryolipolysis does not require anaesthesia, has no scarring risks, and requires no follow-up.
Cryolipolysis effectively removes stubborn fat in your hips, abdomen, bra fat, back, buttocks, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, and double chin.

The Origins of Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis originated over a decade ago when Dr. Rox Anderson, a Harvard School of Medicine doctor, and Dr. Dieter Manstein, who worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital, discovered this phenomenon. They were curious when they saw the kids who consumed popsicles regularly developed dimples on their cheeks. They began to study this phenomenon, and their research revealed that the inflammation of fat cells in kids’ mouths led to inflammation.

As the fat cells of the cheek were killed after freezing due to frozen popsicles, they were able to develop the concept of popsicle panniculitis or fat freezing. Later, several experiments were conducted by cooling the fat tissues at about 40 degrees, which showed low temperature led to the disintegration of fat cells and later cell death. Later, this principle was further developed, which led to the successful development of Cryolipolysis technology to treat excess body fat in 2009.

How Does Cryolipolysis Work and The Procedure

The procedure of Cryolipolysis is usually performed in a reputed weight loss clinic by an expert CoolScupting specialist. A thorough assessment of fatty deposits in the specific treatment area will be highlighted using a skin-friendly pencil. Patients will stay awake and active throughout the treatment. An applicator with a handheld design will be used for this procedure to freeze the adipocyte tissue layer beneath the skin. The skin of the treatment area will be protected with a gel pad, and the fat deposits will be vacuumed or sucked using the hollow opening of the handheld device.

There will be a slight pulling or tugging feel when the fat cells are sucked and a cramping, tingling, or stinging sensation, which will subside after a couple of minutes. The fat layer will be cooled gradually while maintaining a specific temperature range between 30.2 degrees and 39.2 degrees F. One session of Cryolipolysis may last about an hour, and after treatment, the applicator will be removed. A massage will be performed on the treatment site for a couple of minutes as soon as the fat cells break down.

Top 7 Benefits of Cryolipolysis

The following are some of the best benefits of choosing Cryolipolysis for fat loss.

1. Non-invasive Procedure

Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive and non-surgical approach to shed excess body fat using applicators of different sizes. Your doctor will place the applicator device on any part of your body that needs treatment and works by gently sucking or tugging the skin. Cool energy is released during the process, and the fat cells under the skin break down and get destroyed.

2. Short Treatment Period

Each treatment on one specific area requires around 60 minutes to remove the excess fat. The treatment time might vary if the area is large or has a lot of fat deposits.

3. No Recovery Time

When compared to surgical fat loss procedures, Cryolipolysis is an outpatient treatment. After this treatment, you can return to work the same day and perform your usual chores without restrictions.

4. Mild Side Effects

The cryolipolysis procedure has significantly less side effects. You might feel pulling sensations when the applicator sucks the fat and skin. When low temperature is applied for freezing, you may experience slight discomfort. You might also face temporary tingling or numbness in the treatment site, as the fat cells will be cooled down by freezing. All these side effects will fade away within a few minutes, making it a compelling choice.

5. Natural Results

Cryolipolysis assures naturally looking results. Unlike other fat loss procedures, there would be no uneven or lumpy texture. Your skin will have a smooth, toned, and natural look. The visible results can be achieved in just 4 weeks.

6. Results Are Permanent

As your body will not be forming fresh fat cells, the results you achieve from a Cryolipolysis procedure are always permanent. This non-invasive fat loss procedure is an endless choice for destroying the total fat cells in the treatment area. So, you will have toned arms, belly, or back for several years.

7. Affordable Treatment for Fat Loss

When compared to other fat loss treatments, Cryolipolysis is an affordable choice. The cost will be based on factors like the number of treatment areas, sessions, and body contours.

Ideal Candidates for Cryolipolysis

Condition 1: If you can gather pinchable fat at any part of the body, then you can opt for Cryolipolysis[4]. The fat should stay above your muscle, as this FDA-approved procedure will not target your visceral fat but only subcutaneous fat.
Condition 2: Cryolipolysis is a proper body contouring procedure and must not be confused with weight loss procedures. If your BMI score is below 30, you can avail of the Cryolipolysis procedure. For people with a double chin, your BMI score should be less than 43.
Condition 3: When your BMI remains over 30, and you have a healthy body but have to deal with a troublesome part like a bra bulge or flab on your arms, choose Cryolipolysis treatment.
Condition 4: You should have an understanding that Cryolipolysis is not an option for weight loss. You can expect to witness about a 25% decrease in body fat with every session.
Condition 5: You are ready to follow a healthy lifestyle and consume a nutritious diet before and after the Cryolipolysis treatment. Your commitment to maintaining good health with the right nutrition and workouts will begin to show positive effects even after the Cryolipolysis treatment.

Side Effects of Cryolipolysis

Temporary side effects of cryolipolysis include:

Slight aches or pains
Tingling and stinging sensation
Redness in treatment area
Inflammation
Bruising with discoloration
Numbness and sensitivity

Potential Risks of Cryolipolysis

Even though Cryolipolysis is a safe treatment, you may face a few side effects mentioned above[5]. However, the potential risks or complications mainly depend on the medical professional performing Cryolipolysis. Make sure you choose a reputed skin care clinic with numerous years of experience and a team of expert medical professionals to perform the procedure. However, some of you may face one or more of the below-mentioned risks.

If you have a big belly and only one part is treated with Cryolipolysis, then your abdomen will form a dent in the treatment site. However, such contour irregularities can be corrected by treating other areas of your belly in subsequent Cryolipolysis sessions.
Some might develop PAH or paradoxical adipose[6]. It causes the development of firm fat masses that are not painful in the treatment site within 3 to 9 months of the Cryolipolysis procedure[7].

Effectiveness and Results of Cryolipolysis

A study has revealed that Cryolipolysis offered around 28% fat reduction within four months of the initial session. Some might even see changes as quickly as three weeks after the procedure. You can see dramatic changes after 2 months of a session[8]. The study further showed that the Cryolipolysis procedure was able to reduce both the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer and the circumference of the abdomen between 3 months to 6 months after the procedure[9].

Cryolipolysis Vs. Liposuction

Procedure: The process of Cryolipolysis involves the technique of freezing the stubborn fat cells in a specific body part. Liposuction is performed by inducing tiny incisions in the treatment site to introduce a small tube for loosening fat cells before vacuuming them out.
Safety Level: Cryolipolysis is a safe, non-invasive treatment with minor side effects. Liposuction, however, requires anaesthesia, as it is an invasive procedure.
Results and Effectiveness: Cryolipolysis removes around 25% of fat cells in the problem area and offers visible results. Liposuction can eliminate up to 8 litres of fat to provide dramatic results.
Side Effects: Bruising, red skin, and sensitive skin are the temporary side effects of Cryolipolysis. The side effects of liposuction are serious complications like blood clots, reactions caused by anaesthesia, and more.
Sessions Needed: Cryolipolysis may require several sessions to achieve the desired effect. However, just one liposuction procedure is enough to get the desired effect.

Cryolipolysis Vs. Laser

Procedure: Cryolipolysis is a non-surgical treatment method performed in skin clinics. The laser fat removal procedure is minimally invasive and is performed in the office using local anaesthesia.
Level of Pain: Cryolipolysis causes minimal discomfort during the initial 10 minutes associated with bruising, numbness, or tingling. Laser treatment doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort.
No. of Sessions: Both laser treatment and Cryolipolysis require several sessions to remove excess fat.
Results: The results of Cryolipolysis are permanent and are visible in 3 weeks and full results in 4 months. Laser treatment results will be visible after a week, and it takes around six months for full results.
Down Time: After Cryolipolysis, you can get back to work soon after a session, while laser treatment for fat removal requires you to rest for four days.

Cryolipolysis Vs. Radiofrequency Treatments

Cryolipolysis

Excellent choice for eliminating accumulated fat pockets
Each area needs 1 to 3 sessions
Reaches the fat found in deep skin layers
Reduces up to 25% fat in the treatment site
Offers well-contoured look

Radio Frequency

A perfect choice to treat the stubborn fat uniformly
Patients don’t feel any discomfort
Treatment is performed as short sessions
Offers skin lifting and tightening effects as a result

Concluding Thoughts

You must realize the importance of choosing a renowned skin clinic for Cryolipolysis treatment, as it will help avoid side effects and serious complications. To get a toned body through Cryolipolysis treatment sessions, contact Kolors Healthcare Center to schedule a consultation with specialists today. You can also contact them for more information about the Cryolipolysis procedure to make a well-informed body fat reduction decision. It is helpful for people who prefer to get rid of love handles, belly fat, bra fat, and excess fat in the back, buttocks, upper arms, thighs, and double chin.