Does Fat Freezing Work?

Fat removal procedures have always been in high demand. Even though liposuction is still one of the most effective techniques for removing a higher volume of fat, there are some more modern and less invasive techniques to target stubborn fat areas.

Fat freezing, also known as Cryolipolysis, is a non-surgical method that can help you remove accumulated fat bulges and achieve a slimmer looking silhouette. One of the distinctive features of this fat reduction procedure is that it targets the problem areas of the body by using a cold temperature. With that, what is the secret behind fat freezing? Does it work, and who can benefit most from it? Keep reading to learn more.

Yes, fat freezing can successfully eliminate stubborn fats that are normally intractable with diet and exercise. A single treatment session may remove around 25% of the deposits in the treatment site. It is a fast and effective procedure that can be used to treat several different parts of the body.

Traditional fat freeze treatment is very effective for eliminating subcutaneous fat from the stomach. This kind of fat is typically difficult to get rid of. In addition, as you get older, your body’s ability to remove subcutaneous fat decreases. Fat freeze procedures can help you deal with this problem.

The treatment can also remove deposits and bulges from other areas such as love handles, thighs, back, arms and so on. However, as with all other body contouring procedures, the goal of Cryolipolysis is to reduce only the stubborn fat that lies under the skin. It does not target visceral fat or fat that is deep under the abdominal muscles.

What does fat freezing do?

Cryolipolysis treatment involves exposing fat cells to low temperatures for an extended time period to induce their natural reduction. During the procedure, the therapist places a roll of fat into a cooling panel (paddles) and leaves it for 30 to 45 minutes. A powerful vacuum draws the fat into the panel and then freezes it. This process destroys the targeted fat cells, and the reason this is possible is that they are sensitive to cold temperatures. The body will naturally metabolise the dead fat cells over the next few months.

Fat freezing treatments do not entail surgery, and the downtime is usually minimal. You can carry on with your normal daily activities right after the procedure. Side effects are typically rare and far fewer compared to other procedures used to reduce body fats. One of the complications that can eventually happen is a condition known as Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia, which is an enlargement and hardening of the treated region. However, this occurs in very rare cases.

Fat freeze procedures should be done only at specialised medical spas and clinics by qualified therapists or doctors. Some people are tempted to perform Cryosculpt treatments at home using ice cubes or imitation fat freezing devices. This is not only ineffective but can also be dangerous.

Which areas of the body is fat freezing best for?

Fat woman hand holding fat belly

The belly is one of the most suitable areas for fat freezing. However, the capabilities of this cosmetic procedure are not limited to this. Traditional fat freeze treatment can help you reduce fat in multiple areas of your body, including:

double chin (submental fat)
bra fat
chest
upper arms
back fat
flanks
abdomen
under the buttock
thighs

With Cryolipolysis, you can also treat many areas of your body in one treatment session.

Is fat freezing effective for everyone?

The ideal patient for fat freezing is someone who is around their ideal weight but has some stubborn areas of fat which they would want to reduce. The procedure is suitable for males and females who are looking for quick and effective fat loss.

Cryolipolysis is most commonly performed on individuals who have extra subcutaneous fat on the abdomen. As we mentioned above, subcutaneous fat is the fat above the muscle. You can typically pinch it really easily. The treatment is not meant to remove visceral fat or improve your overall health.

Patients with fat pockets in other areas of the body, such as under the chin, arms or thighs, can also benefit from fat freezing. However, the procedure may not be the best solution in case you are overweight. It is best to first lose weight and then get this treatment so that you achieve good results. In addition, individuals who eat unhealthily and are not very active while getting Cryolipolysis are very likely to experience less fat reduction.

Also, if you have loose skin or you are looking for skin tightening, Cryolipolysis may not be the best route for you to go. In such a case, it would be better to consider skin tightening treatments.

Does fat freezing work for weight loss?

Fat freezing treatment is designed to reduce fat in certain body parts. Weight loss is not the goal of the procedure. However, as a result of the elimination of a certain amount of fat cells, you can also expect to lose some weight. As an example, if you have around 5 kg of fat in the treatment area and reduce 25%-26% of that, you may also lose 1-2 kg in weight.

A fat freezing treatment freezes fat cells and then breaks them down so that they pass through the lymphatic system and are naturally excreted. The procedure results in fewer fat cells in the treated area, thereby visually making it appear smaller and more contoured. This does not necessarily mean you will weigh less.

Does fat freezing get rid of cellulite?

Woman showing her cellulite

Fat freezing is not indicated for the reduction of cellulite. The procedure is used to treat stubborn pockets of body fat.

Cellulite is a dimpling, lumpy appearance of the skin which usually occurs in body areas with excess fat, such as the belly, thighs and buttocks. Cellulite usually happens as a result of fat accumulation underneath the skin. However, this skin condition is quite different from normal fat. Therefore, fat freezing is not a procedure that you choose to treat this concern.

There are other treatments such as laser therapy and radiofrequency treatment such as our INDIBA treatments, that may help you smooth out cellulite.

How long does it take to see results from fat freezing?

After fat freezing treatment, you will notice an improvement in the targeted areas in as little as four weeks. However, the best results can be observed at around twelve weeks. Additional Cryolipolysis sessions may further enhance your outcomes.

In terms of how many sessions you will need to achieve your goal, it really depends. Some people might be satisfied just with one session, while others may need a few treatments to attain the best outcomes. It really depends on how much fat you have in the body part you want to be treated. Most patients achieve mild fat reduction and slightly improved waistline after the first session. Therefore, if you have more fatty tissue, then you will have to get several fat freezing treatments.

Your Cryolipolysis specialist will help you create a special treatment plan that meets your needs. During the consultation, your doctor will assess your body, find out what size of applicators will work for you and tell you how many treatments you will need to get the desired outcomes.

Is freezing fat cells permanent?

Cryolipolysis treatment permanently eliminates fat in the treated body part. As long as you maintain your weight, the fat is never going to come back. The cooling temperature will destroy the fat cells, and then they will be naturally excreted by your lymphatic system. So once they leave your body, they cannot physically return.

However, if you gain weight following your fat reduction procedure, then your body will increase in size. This ultimately means that the area you’ve treated could potentially increase in size as well because you still have fat cells, which can get larger.

After your body sculpting procedure, you need to make sure you follow a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and exercising. This will help you maintain your current weight.

Which is more effective fat freezing or fat-melting?

Both procedures, fat freezing and fat-melting, are effective for fat loss. They both destroy fat cells but in different ways or, more specifically, by using different temperatures. While the fat freezing procedure utilises controlled cooling to kill fat cells, the fat-melting technology delivers heat to do so.

Fat-melting, as its name implies, melts fat cells and turns them into liquid, which naturally passes through the body. So the process is basically similar to that of fat freezing. What is the difference between these two body contouring procedures is that fat-melting can be used to tighten the skin, unlike Cryolipolysis. In addition, laser-based and radiofrequency treatments can make cellulite less visible.

Both fat freezing and fat-melting procedures are non-invasive with minimal to no downtime. They are both effective and produce a permanent removal of fat cells.

To conclude

Fat freezing or Cryolipolysis is a safe and effective treatment for eliminating unwanted fat from problem body areas. It is a non-invasive procedure that is ideal for patients wishing to get rid of the localised accumulation of fat without undergoing surgery such as traditional liposuction.

Cryolipolysis works best for people who are almost at their ideal body weight. It helps them achieve a more contour silhouette and better appearance.

The outcomes of this fat reduction treatment can last a lifetime as long as a healthy weight is maintained.

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April 2022

Does fat freezing work?