It might be because winter is around the corner, or maybe it’s because we’re still in bikini
season, but a certain topic has been making headlines again. It’s none other than cryolipolysis,
commonly known as fat freezing. It is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that helps you
eliminate stubborn fat under the chin, love handles, and anywhere you can think of.
This article will discuss the cryolipolysis procedure and whether it is a safe, pain-free, non-
surgical body contouring treatment. Let’s get started.
What Is Cryolipolysis Or Fat Freezing?
As stated above, cryolipolysis is a non-surgical body sculpting procedure using cold
temperatures, which helps reduce the fat deposits in different areas of the body. It is commonly
known as fat freezing.
Cryolipolysis targets the subcutaneous fat in your body; it is a fat type you can pinch and is
found just under your skin. As you age, your body’s ability to reduce subcutaneous fat
decreases; thus, it is no surprise that you can’t get rid of the bra bulges anymore.
The procedure was first approved in 2010, and its origins are quite unconventional. It was
invented after observing children eating popsicles. The research concluded that children who
ate popsicles experienced a fat reduction or degradation in their cheeks; thus, fat is more
sensitive to cold than other tissue types.
Plastic surgeon Jason Roostaeian, MD, says, “Fat is more temperature-sensitive than your skin.
It goes through the cell death process before your skin does.”
How It Works
Unlike liposuction, which requires needles and knives and the patient to be under anaesthesia,
cryolipolysis is a relatively safe procedure conducted in an outpatient or clinic setting. The
process is also pain-free and requires no downtime. Let’s discuss how the CRYO 21 method
works.
The CRYO 21 is different from other cryo methods as its handle or probe is manually moved to
where the targeted fat is. In contrast, other methods use handles that are directly attached to
the body with a vacuum and give bruising or burn marks.
Cryo 21 is a therapeutic treatment that creates a thermal shock by reducing the temperature of
the fat cells. This process is called apoptosis, which results in a gradual degeneration and
elimination of dead fat cells. In this method, the machine reduces the temperature in the area
from 34 °C to only 8 °C., without the patient feeling any cold.
After 4-6 treatments, the patient can lose up to 12 cm around the waist or 5 sizes, completely
permanent without surgery.
Treatments take around 30 mins and can treat more than 1 area at a time and target any area
of the body, such as arms, double chin, abdominal fat, cellulite, etc.
Pros and Cons of the Treatment
There are multiple pros and cons of cryolipolysis or fat-freezing; let’s have a look at each to
determine whether the process is worth the cost and hype.
Pros
● No pain compared to other fat reduction surgeries and alternatives
● Non-invasive and non-surgical body contouring procedure.
● Patients are not anaesthetised before the treatment and are awake during the whole
session.
● It’s a low-risk procedure requiring no downtime, and patients can return to their regular
activities immediately.
● It is affordable and takes less than an hour.
● Patients can get multiple areas treated in a single session.
● There is no lasting damage to the treated area or any blood vessels or muscles.
● Fat cells destroyed are permanently removed from the body.
Cons
Despite the advantages, there are a few risks and downsides associated with cryolipolysis or
fat-freezing.
● It is not recommended for individuals with obesity and is referred to patients with good
general health who want to treat specific body areas.
● The patient rarely feels no pain afterward.
● The time difference between the two sessions is 2 weeks, as it takes that long for dead
fat cells to leave the body.
● It takes around 3-4 months to reach optimal results.
Who Is a Bad Candidate for Fat Freezing?
degradation, and not everyone can take advantage of the non-surgical body sculpting
procedure. The following individuals are bad candidates for fat freezing:
● People with obesity
● Those who cannot handle cold temperatures
● People affected by phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, or varicose veins
● People who have had organ transplants.
● Pregnant or nursing individuals
● People with inflammatory skin disorders
● Individuals with diseases like Raynaud’s phenomenon, Cryoglobulinemia, Paroxysmal
cold hemoglobinuria, Cold urticaria, or those with poor skin tone or loose skin.
Since we have discussed bad candidates for fat-freezing, let’s look at who can benefit from this
procedure.
● The ideal candidate is already close to their body weight and wants to remove stubborn
pinchable areas of fat layers that are not removed by diet or exercise.
● The results will not be as prominent if the individual has firm and thick tissue.
Cryolipolysis is not intended for weight loss; it doesn’t improve your overall health or target
visceral fat.
Post-Treatment Care
As stated above, fat-freezing is a relatively safe technique, and the only side effect is reddening,
which will disappear within an hour. After treatment, patients should increase their water intake
and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Is Cryotherapy The Same As Cryolipolysis?
Yes, cryotherapy is the same as cryolipolysis. Cryotherapy, commonly known as cold therapy,
uses freezing temperatures to remove abnormal tissue from the body. It is used to treat pain,
reduce inflammation, treat skin conditions, and even some cancers. Cryolipolysis is a type of
cryotherapy that is used for fat loss.
Cryolipolysis is an effective fat loss procedure that is non-surgical and affordable. A
personalised treatment plan can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, but the final cost
depends on the size of the target body part, the number of sessions, and your practitioner. For
more information regarding cryolipolysis, reach out to Body Sculpt GC – Non-surgical fat
removal & skin tightening specialists.