Cryolipolysis Treatment
Cryolipolysis (better known as CoolSculpting) is a noninvasive treatment that destroys fat cells without damaging the overlying skin. It is a great option for people who want to eliminate stubborn body fat.
However, it is important to note that cryolipolysis is not a weight loss solution and the results will only be permanent if you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
What is Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive procedure that reduces localized fat deposits in problem areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise. It works by freezing fat cells, which eventually die and are naturally disposed of by the body. This causes a noticeable reduction in stubborn fat bulges without surgery. The process has been patented under the name CoolSculpting and is FDA-approved.
Scientists first used a vacuum-like device to remove excess fat from pigs in 2007. They discovered that the fat layer under the skin can be destroyed by cold, which selectively destroys fat cells but does not damage nerve fibers, blood vessels, or muscle.
During treatment, you will feel a tugging sensation and intense cold, but the discomfort is minimal. In some cases, the treatment area may experience redness, bruising, tingling, or numbness. More rarely, a side effect called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia occurs, which is characterized by increased fat growth in the treated area. This happens less than 1% of the time, and it is usually reversible within months. The FDA has cleared cryolipolysis for use on the chin, upper arms, stomach, inner and outer thighs («love handles»), bra fat, abdomen, back, and underneath the buttocks.
How Does Cryolipolysis Work?
Cryolipolysis is an outpatient procedure that involves placing a device on your body to treat fat bulges. It works by cooling the area down to below freezing temperatures, which helps destroy the targeted fat cells without affecting other tissues in the area. The targeted fat cells will die cryolipolysis treatment off in the months following treatment, and your body will naturally get rid of the dead cells.
Harvard scientists discovered the concept of cryolipolysis after seeing children’s cheek fat reduce after licking on popsicles (a reaction known as “popsicle panniculitis”). They then tested this theory by exposing fatty tissue to cold temperatures while protecting overlying skin cells from thermal injury using a membrane pad. They found that fatty tissue was significantly more prone to freezing than other cells, and that this frozen state caused the fat cells to break down.
The results of their research were published in the journal Plast Reconstr Surg in 2015. Two investigators independently reviewed articles for inclusion, and any discrepancies were reconciled by a third investigator. The authors found that cryolipolysis was a safe and effective way to eliminate fatty deposits in the stomach, flanks (love handles), armpits, thighs, and bra fat and reduce circumference in the chin.
What Are the Side Effects of Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is noninvasive, meaning that you don’t need to worry about cuts, needles, or anesthesia. The procedure involves placing the vaccuum device over the fat bulge and exposing it to cold temperatures (above freezing but lower than your body temperature) for up to an hour. This causes the fat cells to die off, leaving a noticeable reduction in the fatty area.
The FDA has approved cryolipolysis for the treatment of localized fat deposits or bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise, including under the chin (“double chin” or “turkey neck”), outer and inner arms, abdomen, hip/flank («love handles» or «brassiere rolls»), and the knees. Some doctors recommend posttreatment manual massage to enhance results.
Although the results of cryolipolysis are considered permanent, they do not prevent new fat cells from forming in the treatment areas. As a result, the procedure is not meant as a weight loss solution; it’s best for people within 20 pounds of their ideal weight who are looking to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat. The results of cryolipolysis may last longer if you maintain a reasonable diet and regular workout routine.
How Long Will Cryolipolysis Take to Work?
Cryolipolysis destroys fat cells and eliminates them from the body, leaving you with a slimmer figure. The procedure is noninvasive, painless, and requires no downtime. It can be used to target a single area or multiple areas of the body. It is a popular choice to cryolipolysis treatment get rid of stubborn fat deposits in the arms, stomach, back, and flanks (love handles), as well as the chin.
After the procedure, your lymphatic system will flush away the injured fat cells. It may take a few months for you to see the final results of your cryolipolysis treatment.
You may experience mild discomfort after your session, but the pain and tingling should subside within a few hours. You will also notice a slight change in the size of the treatment area.
One rare side effect of cryolipolysis is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which causes the fat cells in the treatment site to grow larger rather than smaller. This is mostly seen in men and patients of Hispanic ethnicity, although it is not entirely clear why this occurs.
What Are the Benefits of Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive, nonsurgical way to reduce fat deposits in targeted areas. The process destroys the cells that hold fat, but does not damage nerve fibers, blood vessels or muscle in the area. The body naturally clears the damaged cells over time. Results appear gradually and are permanent, but the treatment is not intended as a weight loss method. Your doctor may recommend massaging the area for five minutes every day to improve your results.
Cryolipolysis is effective on the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, buttocks and jaw. The procedure is most effective on localized pockets of fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. The injured fat cells are gradually eliminated by the body over four to six months, and the fatty bulge decreases in size. This is a cosmetic treatment, but it can enhance your appearance and boost confidence. Most clients benefit from one session, but multiple treatments are recommended for optimal results. After your treatment, you may experience redness, bruising and numbness in the treated area. These side effects should not last more than a few days.