Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing

Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing

Sometimes diet and exercise isn’t enough to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat. Luckily, noninvasive procedures like cryolipolysis have become increasingly popular.

This procedure targets subcutaneous fat, which is the type found on your arms, thighs and waist. It can reduce localised fat by 20 percent on average.

How it works

If you are stuck in what is known as a fat loss plateau or just want to slim down that area around your stomach, hips or thighs, then cryolipolysis could be the answer. This non-invasive treatment uses extreme cold to freeze the fat cells, which then die off. It is a quick and easy procedure that does not require any anesthesia or surgery, and can be used on multiple areas of the body in one session. The injured cells are then eliminated from the body over a period of four to six months, and on average, the fatty bulge shrinks by 20 percent.

While it might sound odd, the idea behind this treatment is actually quite logical. Scientists noticed that infants who sucked on popsicles got dimples in their cheeks, which led them to test whether they could use cold temperatures to remove specific pockets of fat. The results showed that the cold did not damage the surrounding muscle or skin, but did cause the lipid-rich cells to die off and break down. It was from these findings that the CoolSculpting procedure was developed.

The best candidates for this type of fat reduction are people who do not have significant weight issues and have stubborn pockets of fat in the stomach, thighs, upper arms or buttocks that do not respond to diet or exercise. It is also not a solution for those who are significantly overweight, as the fat reduction will only be temporary unless there is a change in lifestyle.

What to expect

Cryolipolysis fat freezing is a treatment that freezes unwanted pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It can also be helpful for those who have reached what is known as a plateau in their weight loss journey. It is not a treatment for obesity, but it can help those who are at a healthy weight and have stubborn pockets of fat in areas such as the abdomen, back/flank (“love handles”), hips, arms, and under the chin.

During the treatment, you lay down in a comfortable position and the targeted area is drawn into a special vacuum applicator that has suction. The cold temperature that is applied causes the fat cells to crystallise and die, which your body naturally eliminates over a period of time. The procedure takes about an hour, and most patients find it very tolerable with little or no discomfort.

While cryolipolysis is generally considered safe, there are some rare side effects. One example is the complication called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). This happens when the fat cryolipolysis fat freezing that is frozen grows instead of disappearing. This complication occurs less than 1 percent of the time, and it is three times more common in men.

You will begin to see the results of your cryolipolysis treatment a few weeks after the procedure. However, it can take up to a month for your body to fully process the dead cells and remove them from your system.

Cost

Cryolipolysis is a great alternative to surgical fat removal techniques like liposuction. The FDA-cleared method cools your fat to a temperature that destroys cells, but leaves the surrounding skin and tissue unharmed. In addition, there are no recovery periods associated with cryolipolysis.

The treatment is simple and painless, with a typical session lasting about 30 minutes to 40 minutes. It can be performed on the chin, abdomen, back, arms, knees and thighs. The results are noticeable after a few weeks and become more dramatic over time.

In the meantime, your body will naturally process and eliminate the dead cells, leaving behind more defined muscles. Depending on your individual needs, you may require up to eight cycles. However, it is important to remember that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss solution, and you will need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise in order to keep your results long-term.

Although it is possible to buy a home device designed for freezing your own fat, experts recommend that you avoid doing so because the procedure involves using a very specific temperature cryolipolysis fat freezing that only targets the fat. Attempting to freeze your own fat with unauthorized devices can damage your skin and leave permanent scarring. PrettyLasers only uses a medical-grade Zeltiq CoolSculpting machine, which is the gold standard for this technology.

Side effects

Cryolipolysis is a nonsurgical, fat reduction procedure. It is FDA-approved for reducing localized fat deposits and bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise. The technique uses cooling technology to reduce fat in the abdomen, inner and outer thighs, flank area (“love handles”), upper arms, back and bra fat, and the chin. It also can help treat cellulite.

During the treatment, the doctor places the desired area between paddles of a device. The paddles quickly cool the area and the process destroys the fat cells. The damaged cells are eliminated by your body over four to six months. In this way, the fatty bulge shrinks and the results become more noticeable. The treatment is relatively painless and patients can return to their normal activities immediately.

Some people may experience redness, bruising or swelling at the treated site. However, these effects are not common and will not last long. Other possible side effects include paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a rare condition in which the area develops more fat. This is an immune system response that is triggered by cold temperatures.

Cryolipolysis is a safe, effective treatment for removing stubborn pockets of fat from the body. It does not damage nerve fibers, blood vessels or muscles. Unlike traditional liposuction, it does not leave scarring or downtime. It is a good option for people with mild to moderate weight problems who are unable to lose excess weight through diet and exercise.