Fat Freezing – How Cryolipolysis Works

Cryolipolysis, commonly known as CoolSculpting, is a non-surgical procedure that reduces unwanted pockets of fat. The treatment destroys fat cells without damaging other tissue or skin.

Scientists noticed that children who ate popsicles got dimples in their cheeks, and this led to the discovery of cryolipolysis. It works by using extreme cold to freeze fat cells, which then die off naturally over time.

How It Works

Cryolipolysis, also known as CoolSculpting, is a noninvasive treatment that removes stubborn fat pockets without surgery. This FDA-cleared procedure uses controlled cooling to eliminate diet and exercise-resistant fat cells. Its results are proven, noticeable, and lasting.

During the treatment, your doctor draws the area of fat you want to target into an applicator that does not use needles or suction. This device, which looks like a large, round cookie cutter, contains paddles that are cooled to the point where they destroy fat cells but leave normal skin and muscle cells unharmed.

Because the treatment is noninvasive, you can return to your usual activities immediately afterward. Your body gradually removes dead fat cells over the course of a few months, resulting in reduced fat in the area treated. In some cases, people need a second round of treatments to reach their desired results.

Liposuction has been used for decades to remove unwanted pockets of fat, but it is an invasive procedure with a long recovery cryolipolysis fat freezing time. That’s why fat freezing has become a popular alternative.

In 2007, scientists discovered that fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperature than other types of cells. This discovery led to the development of a device that could destroy fat cells in specific areas of the body, such as the stomach and love handles. The first device, called CoolSculpting, was approved by the FDA in 2010.

Safety

Fat freezing works by targeting specific pockets of stubborn fat in the body, destroying them with near-zero temperatures without damaging surrounding tissues or skin. The destroyed cells are eliminated naturally through the body’s natural waste disposal system. It’s an alternative to liposuction, a more invasive procedure.

Unlike visceral fat (which surrounds your organs) which can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions, subcutaneous fat is located as a layer beneath the skin. This type of fat can be difficult to lose through restrictive diets or surgery. It also tends to resist exercise and can accumulate in adipose tissue in the face, stomach, arms and legs.

Cryolipolysis, also known by the brand name Coolsculpting, was developed as a noninvasive treatment to remove unwanted pockets of fat. A study comparing the safety of cryolipolysis with traditional liposuction found that the procedure is effective and safe for treating small to moderate pockets of excess fat in the neck, jawline and abdomen.

Prior to your treatment, a thorough medical history will be reviewed to ensure that you are suitable for cryolipolysis. Certain medical conditions are contraindicated, including pregnancy, hernias, open wounds, inflammatory skin diseases or use of blood thinners. Some medications may also interfere with the procedure. Treatment sessions are usually 60 minutes long, with most clients requiring only one session for their desired results.

Side Effects

Cryolipolysis treatments, such as CoolSculpting, use controlled cooling to freeze and crystallize fat cells under the skin without damaging any other tissues in the area. They kill the unwanted fat cells and the dead cells are naturally eliminated by the body through the liver and lymphatic system, resulting in an average of 20% reduction in the targeted area. Unlike other at-home devices that claim to deliver similar results, cryolipolysis is a safe and clinically-proven method of fat removal.

During the treatment, you don’t feel anything except for the suction of the applicator against your skin. The treatment is fast and does not require any downtime, so cryolipolysis fat freezing you can resume your normal activities immediately after the session is over. Side effects may include redness, bruising, swelling, tingling and numbness, but these typically resolve within a few days after the procedure.

The best candidates for cryolipolysis are those in good overall health who want a non-invasive way to remove stubborn pockets of fat in the body. Patients with hernias, cold pathology (like Raynaud’s disease) and open wounds are not suitable for treatment. The treatment is also not effective for people who are overweight as it is not a weight loss solution, but rather to treat specific pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. This is why it’s important to work with your doctor on a treatment plan and schedule that fits your needs.

Results

Cryolipolysis (also known as Coolsculpting) is a non-surgical method of permanently removing stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise. The procedure is painless, safe and clinically proven to be effective. It involves a simple process of cooling the targeted area to below freezing levels, causing the fat cells to die and eventually be naturally eliminated by the body.

During the treatment, patients can read, watch TV or even nap during the hour-long session, and many report feeling less full and more toned after just one treatment. The results become progressively visible over four to six months as the injured fat cells are gradually eliminated by the body.

The scientific name for fat cell death induced through cold is called “cryolipolysis,” which stems from two well-known academic dermatologists, Dieter Manstein and Rox Anderson. They coined the term from observations of popsicle panniculitis in infants, which led to the concept that lipid-rich tissues are more susceptible to cold than water-rich tissue.

The procedure is extremely safe, with a very low complication rate and satisfaction rate. It is recommended that you continue to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet following treatments to support your body’s natural fat-burning processes and maximise your results. It is also recommended to avoid saunas, long sunbathing and extended periods of heat exposure in order to prevent re-accumulation of the dead cells.