Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing
Cryolipolysis fat freezing is a noninvasive treatment that destroys unwanted fat bulges without surgery. It’s FDA-cleared and safe, and it works on stubborn fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise.
The treatment’s precise cooling temperatures target fat cells but leave skin and muscle unharmed. The dead cells are naturally metabolized and removed from the body over time.
How It Works
Cryolipolysis, also known as CoolSculpting, is a noninvasive cryolipolysis fat freezing treatment that targets fat cells without damaging the surrounding skin. This procedure uses a cooling technique to destroy stubborn fat cells that resist diet and exercise. The FDA cleared the procedure in 2012, and it has been performed on more than 4 million patients worldwide.
The cofounders of this treatment got their inspiration from watching kids eat popsicles. They noticed that the children’s mouths developed indents, but normal overlying skin wasn’t damaged. This led them to develop a cooling device that could target only fat cells and leave overlying tissue undamaged. They tested it on pigs in 2007, and the results were promising enough to seek FDA approval for the procedure.
During the session, your doctor will position the treatment device over the area of fat you want to treat. The device contains paddles that cool the fat cells. It will remain in place for an hour or more, during which you can relax, read a book or listen to music. Afterward, your body’s immune system gradually clears the dead fat cells from the body.
You should begin to see results after four to six months. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure, your results should be permanent. However, if you gain weight, your fat cells may reappear in the treated area.
Areas We Can Treat
If you have stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise, cryolipolysis is an excellent option. The procedure is able to target and destroy stubborn pockets of fat in the stomach, flanks, hips, love handles, bra lines, chin, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, and the upper arms. Our clients achieve up to a 30% reduction in the treated area.
The treatment itself involves the insertion of an applicator into the area that is to be frozen. You will experience a pressure and cold sensation in the first few minutes of the treatment which quickly subsides. The treatment lasts between 40 and 60 minutes. Patients often listen to music, read, or even nap during the session.
Once the frozen fat cells are destroyed, they are naturally eliminated from the body through the lymphatic system. Once they are removed, the treated area becomes slimmer and more toned. The results from a cryolipolysis treatment appear gradually over a few months. The treated cells cannot grow back, but new fat cells can form if you eat too much or do not exercise.
The original developers of Coolsculpting, the device used for cryolipolysis, gained FDA approval for the treatment in 2010 and it has been health and safety cleared by the TGA in Australia. Cryolipolysis works well for all skin types and is a great alternative to surgical liposuction or a tummy tuck.
Side Effects
Cryolipolysis has been shown to reduce the size of fatty bulges without damaging nerve fibers, blood vessels or muscles in the treatment area. It does not cause any lasting damage to the skin, although some patients may experience redness and bruising for up to a month after the procedure.
The development of cryolipolysis, which is also known as CoolSculpting, was inspired by the observation that fatty tissues in infants are more sensitive to cold temperatures than other types of tissue. This led to the discovery that fat cells can be selectively destroyed by controlled cooling.
During the procedure, your doctor will place the paddles of the applicator onto the areas you want to treat and leave them in position for up to aesthetic skin care an hour. You do not have to be off your feet during the procedure, and most people return to their daily activities immediately after a treatment session.
After the procedure, your body will slowly eliminate the dead fat cells through your lymphatic system. This can take a few months, but most people see significant results within three months.
Because fat cells do not regenerate, the results from cryolipolysis are considered permanent. However, if you gain weight after your treatment, those fat cells can reappear in the treated areas, which is why a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for maintaining your results.
Results
It was discovered that fat cells are less resilient to extreme cold temperatures than other types of tissues. This led to a noninvasive procedure that targets and destroys these cells, thereby eliminating excess fat accumulation in the area treated. The treatment is known as CoolSculpting and was developed by Zeltiq Aesthetics.
Studies have shown that cryolipolysis reduces the volume of a fatty bulge by up to 25%, with results appearing gradually over four to six months as the injured fat cells die and are naturally eliminated from the body. After the final session, results are permanent. But, like all treatments, a healthy lifestyle is required to maintain results and avoid erasing your hard work.
Most people can return to their normal routine right away after a cryolipolysis session. There may be some bruising or numbness in the treated area, but this will soon fade. Keeping up with a diet and exercise regimen will also help you prevent new fat cells from forming in the treated area.
