Freezing fat away – the vanguard of body sculpting
Freezing fat away – the vanguard of body sculpting
Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive aesthetic treatment that consists of reducing localised fat deposits by exploiting the sensitiveness of fat cells to cold.
By exposing the areas of concern to low temperatures, a process called lipolysis is triggered that causes the destruction of fat cells, which are then eliminated from the body though physiological channels (the lymphatic system, liver and gastrointestinal system). This results in a reduction in adipose tissue thickness.
The procedure is painless and requires no downtime. However, since only small areas can be treated at one time, several sessions might be necessary to achieve the desired result.
How it works
The term cryolipolysis comes from three Greek words: “kryos” meaning “cold”, "lípos" meaning "fat" and "lysis" meaning "loosening".
Cryolipolysis is based on a simple concept: when exposed to low temperature, the adipocytes (fat cells) in the subcutaneous tissue undergo slow, gradual destruction (apoptosis). As a result, the number of adipocytes decreases leading to a reduction in adipose tissue.
When adipocytes are damaged by the cooling process, an inflammatory process sets in that leads to the “digestion” and release of fat. Adipose cells degrade in 2 to 8 weeks after treatment. Similarly to what happens to lipids introduced with food, degraded fat cells are processed and eliminated from the body by the lymphatic system. Cryolipolysis is especially recommended to treat localised fat deposits and for body remodelling.
What happens after treatment
Is cryolipolysis safe?
The medical equipment used for cryolipolysis has been specially developed to destroy exclusively adipose cells, leaving the other cells and anatomical structures in the area undamaged. This is possible because subcutaneous fat cells are more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to cold than other types of tissue, such as the epidermis, dermis, muscles and blood vessels.
The procedure in detail
As a first step, a medical consultation is carried out to establish whether the treatment is suitable for the patient. If all criteria are met, the patient is asked to lie on the couch in such a position as to allow for the optimal positioning of the handpieces to the areas of concern.
An antifreeze gel is then applied to protect the skin in the area to be treated.
After the handpieces are put into position, the fat fold is sucked in and the cooling process begins.
Each session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The patient might feel some tension in the treated area due to aspiration, as well as a cold sensation that rapidly disappears thanks to the numbing effect of the cold itself.
Cryolipolysis is a pain-free technique that reduces fat without damaging the skin and other tissues and without leaving scars. An hour’s rest is recommended after treatment; the treated areas should be covered and left to recover without using creams or massage. Drinking plenty of water is also recommended.
After treatment, some reddening and a feeling of increased sensitivity usually occur in the areas concerned, which quickly fade away in a few hours. The first results become apparent in 15 to 20 days. The treatment can be repeated after approximately two months; in any case, it is for the practitioner to determine the best timing and intervals between sessions.
What happens to fat?
Three days after treatment, the cold-damaged fat cells slowly stop functioning and they become unable to store fat. In the following 15 to 60 days, the now inert cells are naturally eliminated through the lymphatic system, the liver and the gastrointestinal system.
Areas of treatment
Cryolipolysis is especially effective for the treatment of localised fat deposits on the abdomen, hips, arms, inner and outer thighs, knees and back. However, it is contraindicated in cases of oedematous and fibrotic cellulite.
Side effects
If present, side effects are generally mild and disappear quickly. After treatment, some reddening might be present and last for a couple of hours. In some cases, mild tingling and desensitisation might also occur. Such side effects tend to resolve spontaneously within 7 to 14 days.
Limits
Cryolipolysis is an excellent method for treating localised fat, diet- and exercise-resistant fat deposits and excess fat due to conditions such as the menopause. However, this treatment is not indicated in cases of of overweight or obesity, as it cannot be considered an alternative to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Results
It takes 2 to 3 weeks for results to become apparent after treatment. The average fat loss will be between 3 and 15 mm, depending on the initial thickness of the adipose tissue. Cryolipolysis is said to reduce the abdominal circumference by about 2 centimetres. More precisely, loss of adipose tissue in the treated areas is 20% per session.
Contraindications
Recommendations
Do not treat areas with recent scars or stretch marks.
Avoid exposure to sun or UVA rays in the five days preceding and following each treatment session.
Avoid laser or pulsed light epilation on the areas treated or to be treated with cryolipolysis.
Written by MD Stefania Mazzieri, Surgeon and General Practitioner
By exposing the areas of concern to low temperatures, a process called lipolysis is triggered that causes the destruction of fat cells, which are then eliminated from the body though physiological channels (the lymphatic system, liver and gastrointestinal system). This results in a reduction in adipose tissue thickness.
The procedure is painless and requires no downtime. However, since only small areas can be treated at one time, several sessions might be necessary to achieve the desired result.
How it works
The term cryolipolysis comes from three Greek words: “kryos” meaning “cold”, "lípos" meaning "fat" and "lysis" meaning "loosening".
Cryolipolysis is based on a simple concept: when exposed to low temperature, the adipocytes (fat cells) in the subcutaneous tissue undergo slow, gradual destruction (apoptosis). As a result, the number of adipocytes decreases leading to a reduction in adipose tissue.
When adipocytes are damaged by the cooling process, an inflammatory process sets in that leads to the “digestion” and release of fat. Adipose cells degrade in 2 to 8 weeks after treatment. Similarly to what happens to lipids introduced with food, degraded fat cells are processed and eliminated from the body by the lymphatic system. Cryolipolysis is especially recommended to treat localised fat deposits and for body remodelling.
What happens after treatment
- After 2 days: The inflammatory process starts in the 2 days following a cryolipolysis session. Some swelling might be present at this stage.
- After 7-15 days: Adipose cells begin to decrease in volume.
- After 30 days: Between the 15th and 30th day after treatment, the number of adipocytes starts to decrease as macrophages digest the fat cells to facilitate progressive elimination from the body.
Is cryolipolysis safe?
The medical equipment used for cryolipolysis has been specially developed to destroy exclusively adipose cells, leaving the other cells and anatomical structures in the area undamaged. This is possible because subcutaneous fat cells are more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to cold than other types of tissue, such as the epidermis, dermis, muscles and blood vessels.
The procedure in detail
As a first step, a medical consultation is carried out to establish whether the treatment is suitable for the patient. If all criteria are met, the patient is asked to lie on the couch in such a position as to allow for the optimal positioning of the handpieces to the areas of concern.
An antifreeze gel is then applied to protect the skin in the area to be treated.
After the handpieces are put into position, the fat fold is sucked in and the cooling process begins.
Each session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The patient might feel some tension in the treated area due to aspiration, as well as a cold sensation that rapidly disappears thanks to the numbing effect of the cold itself.
Cryolipolysis is a pain-free technique that reduces fat without damaging the skin and other tissues and without leaving scars. An hour’s rest is recommended after treatment; the treated areas should be covered and left to recover without using creams or massage. Drinking plenty of water is also recommended.
After treatment, some reddening and a feeling of increased sensitivity usually occur in the areas concerned, which quickly fade away in a few hours. The first results become apparent in 15 to 20 days. The treatment can be repeated after approximately two months; in any case, it is for the practitioner to determine the best timing and intervals between sessions.
What happens to fat?
Three days after treatment, the cold-damaged fat cells slowly stop functioning and they become unable to store fat. In the following 15 to 60 days, the now inert cells are naturally eliminated through the lymphatic system, the liver and the gastrointestinal system.
Areas of treatment
Cryolipolysis is especially effective for the treatment of localised fat deposits on the abdomen, hips, arms, inner and outer thighs, knees and back. However, it is contraindicated in cases of oedematous and fibrotic cellulite.
Side effects
If present, side effects are generally mild and disappear quickly. After treatment, some reddening might be present and last for a couple of hours. In some cases, mild tingling and desensitisation might also occur. Such side effects tend to resolve spontaneously within 7 to 14 days.
Limits
Cryolipolysis is an excellent method for treating localised fat, diet- and exercise-resistant fat deposits and excess fat due to conditions such as the menopause. However, this treatment is not indicated in cases of of overweight or obesity, as it cannot be considered an alternative to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Results
It takes 2 to 3 weeks for results to become apparent after treatment. The average fat loss will be between 3 and 15 mm, depending on the initial thickness of the adipose tissue. Cryolipolysis is said to reduce the abdominal circumference by about 2 centimetres. More precisely, loss of adipose tissue in the treated areas is 20% per session.
Contraindications
- Liver and kidney failure
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding
- Oncologic disorders
- Raynaud's disease
- Obesity
- High temperature
- Infections in progress
- Skin lesions
- Varicose veins, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis
- Cellulite
- Hepatitis
- Cold intolerance
Recommendations
Do not treat areas with recent scars or stretch marks.
Avoid exposure to sun or UVA rays in the five days preceding and following each treatment session.
Avoid laser or pulsed light epilation on the areas treated or to be treated with cryolipolysis.
Written by MD Stefania Mazzieri, Surgeon and General Practitioner