Treatment OVERVIEW

Cryolipolysis, commonly referred to as fat freezing, is a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that uses cold temperature to reduce fat deposits in certain areas of the body. The procedure is designed to reduce localized fat deposits or bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise.   A 2020 study found that cryolipolysis that uses new and better-fitting applicators are safe and effective in quickly reducing excess fat in various body areas.  A 2018 study in the Journal of Obesity found that long-term cryotherapy activates a process in the body called cold-induced thermogenesis. This led to an overall loss of body mass particularly around the waist by an average of 3 percent.  

 

HOW IT WORKS

​How does fat freezing work?  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..

 

RECOMMENDED

Who is active body composition testing recommended for?  Although active composition is helpful to all athletes, it is most helpful to athletes that may not have consistent results during competition.   Changes is training routines can alter competitive performance results, so understanding better which type of training effects your body the most is critical.

​

HOW OFTEN

How often should you use cryolipolysis fat freezing?  Treatments are recommended to be spread our between 10-14 days apart with a total recommended number of treatments being 6 per specific body part.

 

BODY PARTS

​Which body parts can fat freezing work on?  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.

 

RESULTS

What are the results of cryolipolysis fat freezing?  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.

​

Advantages

What are the advantages of cryolipolysis?   There are many advantages to cryolipolysis which include,  no surgical incision is required,  it is a low risk procedure with no risk of infection.  The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis , patients do not need to be sedated or anesthetized before undergoing the procedure.  Most people can resume their normal daily activities immediately after treatment, the procedure can be performed on people of all ages,  there is no damage to nerve fibers, blood vessels, muscles, or lasting damaging to skin in the treatment area, fat cells that have been damaged or destroyed are permanently removed from the body.

​​

​