Cryolipolysis, which is a non-surgical aesthetic method, is a very useful method for patients who do not want to have any surgical procedures, such as liposuction or Vaser Liposuction.
It is a method that removes unwanted fat accumulation in the body by using freezing temperatures to shrink and irreversibly destroy fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Fat cells destroyed during cryolipolysis procedure are excreted by the body’s own inflammatory system. In time, it causes a significant decrease in thickness of the fat layer where the application has been made.
People under 18 years of age, pregnant women, people with paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (bruises appearing in cold), people with cryobulinemia, people with raynaud syndrome must avoid this procedure.
You will work with your doctor to design a plan – and the number of treatment sessions – that will best meet your desired goals. Before and after photos will be taken.
The procedure can be done in a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic. The size and shape of the fatty deposit is assessed and the area to be treated is outlined with a skin-marking pencil. No anesthesia is required.
A handheld device called an applicator is used to freeze the layer of fat cells (adipocytes) underneath the skin. First, a gel pad is applied to the area to protect the skin. Next, the fatty bulge is suctioned or vacuumed into the applicator’s hallow opening. You will feel a tugging or pulling sensation as suction is applied. These sensations, intense cold plus other possible sensations – tingling, stinging, aching, cramping – lessen after 5 to 10 minutes as the area becomes numb during the cooling down process. The fat layer is gradually cooled to the target temperature of between 30.2 and 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes up to one hour to treat an area. After the area is treated, the applicator is removed. The area may be massaged for 2 to 3 minutes to assist with the breakdown of the fat cells.
You can resume daily activities after the procedure. Although mild results start to emerge after the first application, the best results become visible after 2-4 months. During this process, if you drink plenty of water and do sports, the results will appear much sooner.
Temporary side effects for the areas that are treated may include:
• Pain or aches
• Stinging or tingling of the skin
• Redness
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration or bruising
• Skin sensitivity or numbness
Side effects may persist for a few days to a few weeks after treatment. Your doctor may recommend that you take an analgesic medication to relieve pain or other discomfort.
The procedure should only be performed by a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, or other licensed skin healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns before undergoing the procedure.
How much localized fat can one expect to lose from cryolipolysis and when will I start to notice results?Studies have shown an average fat reduction of between 15 and 28 percent at around 4 months after initial treatment. However, you may begin to notice changes as early as 3 weeks after treatment. Dramatic improvement is noticed after about 2 months.
How are fat cells destroyed?The technique is based on the finding that fat cells are more susceptible to damage from cold temperatures than other cells, such as skin cells. The cold temperature injures the fat cells. The injury triggers an inflammatory response by the body, which results in the death of the fat cells. Macrophages, a type of white blood cells and part of the body’s immune system, is “called to the injury location,” to rid the dead fat cells and debris from the body.
What areas of the body are best suited for cryolipolysis?The Food and Drug Administration has approved cryolipolysis to treat fat deposits beneath the chin, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, abdomen, hip/flank (“love handles”), upper back (“brassiere rolls”), lower back, and underneath the buttocks.
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