Shape Your Perfect Body

Fat Freeze / Cryolipolysis

If you’ve worked hard to get your body into the shape you want, but there are stubborn pockets of fat that just won’t go away, fat freezing might sound like a miracle that’s too good to be true.

Fat freeze treatments can safely eliminate fat from targeted areas on your body without surgery. It’s safe and effective, but is it right for you?

What is Fat Freeze / Cryolipolysis?

Cryolipolysis is the medical name for fat-freezing treatments such as cool-sculpting. It is a non-surgical fat removal technique approved by the FDA in 2010.

Fat freezing is exactly what it sounds like–it’s freezing the fat from a particular area of the body. A technician will place the cryolipolysis device on the treatment area to freeze it. Once it’s frozen, the body’s immune system will gradually break it down and remove it.

Scientists discovered that it is possible to freeze and destroy fat cells without harming the surrounding tissues by observing what happened to children’s cheeks when they ate popsicles. The cold treats damaged the fat cells, but not the rest of the children’s faces.

Are Fat Freeze Treatments Right For You?

Fat freezing treatments are an effective way of shaping specific areas of fat on your body. Currently, the treatment is approved for the thighs, upper arms, under the chin, the upper back, and the hip and abdomen area.

Treatments generally last between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the body area. For example, an abdomen treatment will take longer than under the chin.

This body contouring technique is not meant to treat obesity, but rather to shape up areas that good diet and exercise aren’t impacting.

Benefits of Body Contouring

Cryolipolysis is a much safer alternative to liposuction or other surgical fat removal procedures. There’s no anesthesia and no cutting which makes recovery quick and easy.

You don’t need to go to a hospital for treatment, either. Certified technicians at med spas can perform the procedure for you.

Side Effects and Risks

While the procedure doesn’t involve incisions, it does squeeze the fat it’s freezing. This can be a little uncomfortable, as well as cold. Some patients also report tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the treatment area. However, these symptoms usually go away within a few days.

A very rare side effect is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia can cause the fat cells in the treatment area to grow instead of shrink. It usually occurs in men, and while not dangerous, it does not go away on its own.

Preparing For Your Treatment

If you are a good candidate for fat freeze treatments there are a few ways to prepare that will help your treatment go smoothly.

Make sure to avoid bruising or cutting the treatment area, as this will delay your treatment. You should also avoid smoking and taking medications or supplements that thin your blood in the week leading up to your appointment.

Blood thinners, even over-the-counter medications and supplements like ibuprofen or ginger, can increase the amount of pain and bruising at the treatment site.