Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing
Cryolipolysis fat freezing, also known as CoolSculpting, is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that removes stubborn pockets of fat from the body. This is a great alternative to liposuction and can be done in the office without any downtime.
The FDA has approved this treatment for reducing fatty bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise. These areas include the abdomen, thighs, flanks (love handles), upper back, and buttocks.
Why Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis, or fat freezing, is a noninvasive treatment that reduces targeted fat deposits without harming surrounding tissues. It is sometimes called CoolSculpting, but the procedure is not proprietary to a single device. It’s a safe and effective way to reduce stubborn areas of body fat, and it can help people kick-start a healthy diet and exercise routine that will result in long-term results.
The inspiration for this treatment came from an odd phenomenon: Kids who ate a lot of popsicles often developed dimples on their cheeks, and researchers found that the fat tissue in cryolipolysis fat freezing these spots was more susceptible to cold than other tissue. This led to the development of the technology behind cryolipolysis, which freezes and kills unwanted fat cells while leaving other types of cells unharmed.
The most suitable candidates for this treatment are men or women who follow a healthy lifestyle but have stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise. They should also not suffer from Raynaud’s disease, a condition in which cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels to spasm in the fingers and toes.
What Is Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis (better known as CoolSculpting) is a nonsurgical, fat reduction treatment that freezes the fat cells in targeted areas. The FDA approved the procedure to reduce localized fat deposits or bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise. These include the chin, outer and inner thighs, abdomen, hip/flank (“love handles”), upper back (“brassiere rolls”) and underneath the buttocks.
Scientists discovered that lipid-rich tissue—like the fat found in our mouths—freezes at lower temperatures than muscle and nerve cells, leaving an indentation but not damaging the surrounding skin or other tissues. This led to the development of the cryolipolysis procedure.
While the procedure is safe and effective, it’s important to discuss your medical history with an ASDS dermatologist before you undergo cryolipolysis. Certain medical conditions—including pregnancy, heart disease, open wounds and blood disorders—make it unsafe to have the procedure. Also, if you are overweight or obese, you may not see the desired results from cryolipolysis.
How Does Cryolipolysis Work?
Cryolipolysis uses a cooling process to kill fat cells in targeted areas of the body. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve cutting or needles, so it can be used on sensitive areas such as the belly, thighs, upper arms and buttocks. It is also safer than liposuction because it does not damage the surrounding tissue.
The body naturally eliminates the dead fat cells over four to six months. During this time, the fatty bulge reduces in size by an average of 20%. This is a less invasive alternative to liposuction, which is more painful and requires downtime.
In rare cases, the procedure can cause paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). PAH causes the fat cells in the treated area to grow bigger. It may be triggered by cold temperatures and can occur in people with Raynaud’s disease, a condition that can impair blood flow to the fingers and toes.
How Long Does Cryolipolysis Take?
Cryolipolysis fat freezing is a noninvasive, outpatient procedure that takes up to 60 minutes per localized area. Each session creates noticeable reductions in stubborn pockets of fat. It may take a few months to see results since the body naturally eliminates dead cells over time.
During the treatment, patients feel a cool sensation as the gel pad and applicator are applied to the target area. It can take up to 5 minutes for the initial contact with fat to cryolipolysis fat freezing be felt. After this the area is massaged to soften and kick-start lymphatic flow to assist with cell elimination.
It’s important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle after cryolipolysis since the body can still develop new fat cells. However, those fat cells will be less resilient to cold temperatures. This means they are less likely to reappear than those that develop due to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Is Cryolipolysis Safe?
Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive procedure that does not require cuts, anesthesia or medications that could cause an allergic reaction. The fat cells that are injured by the cold temperature will die naturally over four to six months, which reduces the size of the fatty bulge.
The technology was invented in part by observing what happened when kids ate popsicles. The cofounders noticed that the fatty tissue beneath the skin got inflamed, but the overlying skin did not. This led them to believe that the fat cells were more sensitive to cold injury than other tissues.
A multi-center pivotal Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study led to FDA clearance of cryolipolysis for submental fat reduction using a prototype small volume vacuum cup applicator. The results of this study showed significant fat layer reduction, comparable to other recent cryolipolysis studies. The treatment is safe and there were no serious side effects reported.
Is Cryolipolysis Effective?
Cryolipolysis is a safe, noninvasive way to reduce fat in problem areas. The procedure can cause a reduction in fat cells that is visible, though results do not appear at once. The process also appears to be effective for preventing new fat from growing in the area.
Kids have been using popsicles to shrink their tummies for years, which inspired scientists to see if the process could be used to treat other problem areas of the body without damaging muscle or skin. Cryolipolysis devices use the same principle, cooling the skin and fat to below freezing temperatures to kill the fat cells.
Despite this, cryolipolysis is not without risk. A rare complication called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) can occur, in which the fat cells grow in the area where they were killed by the cooling treatment. This is thought to occur in less than 1% of cases.
