Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing

Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing

Cryolipolysis fat freezing (also known as CoolSculpting) is an FDA-cleared procedure that eliminates stubborn fat cells without surgery.

The treatment uses a precise temperature to kill the fat cells but leave the surrounding tissue undamaged. The dead cells are eliminated through your body’s natural lymphatic system over several months.

What is Cryolipolysis?

Cryolipolysis, known as CoolSculpting by patients, is a popular nonsurgical fat reduction procedure. It is FDA-approved to freeze stubborn fat bulges. The procedure Layered Anti-aging is safe for most people who do not have cold-related medical conditions, such as cryoglobulinemia (a rare vasculitis that causes blocked blood vessels), cold urticaria (a condition that triggers red itchy patches on the skin) or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (a form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which the body attacks and destroys its own red blood cells).

Cryolipolysis works by targeting specific areas of the body where stubborn fat accumulation can be problematic. During the treatment, a vacuum and applicator are placed on the target area to lift the skin and expose it to cold temperatures. The device is then used to cool the underlying fat to a temperature that damages only the fat cells but leaves the surrounding muscle and skin unharmed. The dead fat cells will then be eliminated naturally through the body’s normal process.

After cryolipolysis treatments, new fat cells will not develop in the treated area, resulting in permanent fat reduction. This is why the treatment is ideal for people who have reached what’s known as a plateau in their weight loss journey or have isolated pockets of fat that are difficult to reduce with diet and exercise alone. Generally, the best candidates for this type of noninvasive treatment are no more than 10-15 kg over their goal weight or have a body mass index (BMI) under 30.

How Does Cryolipolysis Work?

Cryolipolysis works by freezing fat cells in the targeted area to kill them. The dead cells are then naturally eliminated by the body, leaving the fat layer thinner. The procedure has no surgery, and is usually done by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It’s often called CoolSculpting, and it was the most popular fat reduction procedure in America in 2018.

Researchers developed the technology by studying what happens to fat during frostbite. The device they created can cool your fat to a temperature that destroys it but doesn’t harm your skin or other tissues. The treatment is performed in a doctor’s office, and you don’t need to be sedated or anesthetized. You may be able to sit or stand during the session, depending on your preference and the area being treated.

In most cases, the procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Your doctor will draw the area you want to treat into a device with suction. Then they will attach paddles to the device and leave it in place for several hours. You may need to have multiple sessions to achieve your desired results. Once the fat cells die, they won’t return if you maintain your weight. However, if you gain weight after treatment, the fat cells can reappear in your target area. This is why it’s important to eat healthy and exercise after the treatment.

What Are the Results of Cryolipolysis?

For people with flabby arms, thunder thighs or beer bellies, cryolipolysis can help shrink stubborn pockets of fat. The procedure is a noninvasive alternative to liposuction. It was created by Massachusetts General Hospital researcher Dr. Rox Anderson and was later bought by Allergan and branded as CoolSculpting.

The treatment’s cofounders got the idea to freeze fat cells after observing what happens when young children inadvertently eat popsicles that have melted on their cheeks. They found that the underlying fat was more sensitive to cold than the surrounding muscle and skin tissue. This led them to develop a process to freeze and crystallise fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissue.

In studies, cryolipolysis has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite and reduce fatty deposits in the abdominal area. However, it is not a treatment for obesity and it does not address Layered Anti-aging treatment the deeper fat pockets that can cause health problems.

Another drawback of cryolipolysis is that, in rare cases, instead of fat dissolving when frozen, the fat cells can actually grow. This is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia and it occurs in less than 1% of patients. Other, more common side effects include bruising, swelling, itching or numbness at the treatment site. These side effects typically resolve within a few months after the treatment. Similarly, diet and exercise can help shrink existing fat cells but will not remove new ones that develop over time.

What Are the Side Effects of Cryolipolysis?

Cryolipolysis works by destroying fat cells with temperatures that are below freezing. The process is a safe treatment with minimal side effects. It does not damage nerve fibers, blood vessels or muscle in the treated area. Most patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately after the procedure.

Some common side effects of cryolipolysis are redness, swelling, bruising and itching in the treatment area. These effects typically resolve within a month. A recent study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that these side effects were more common with noninvasive treatments like ultrasound, but less so with invasive treatments such as liposuction.

The most serious complication of cryolipolysis is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which occurs when the fat cells in the treated area increase in size instead of shrinking. It’s unclear what causes this side effect, which is reported in 1 out of 2,000 people who undergo cryolipolysis for fat reduction. Those who develop PAH may need to have liposuction to correct it.

Other potential complications from cryolipolysis include a loss of sensation in the treatment area (cryolipolysis dysesthesia) and post-inflammatory skin hyperpigmentation. A recent study found that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from cryolipolysis resolved in 7 of 8 cases over a year, with no further treatment needed. A small percentage of people who underwent cryolipolysis developed this side effect, which was more likely to occur in those with darker skin color.