All You Need to Know About Fat Freezing

Introduction:

Fat freezing, also known as cryolipolysis, is a non-invasive cosmetic fat reduction procedure that uses cold temperatures to destroy unwanted fat cells (adipocytes) from various regions of the body. It was certified by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. This procedure has been gaining popularity recently because of people’s desire to have a perfectly contoured body without diet or exercise. The technique involves the destruction of fat cells while preventing damage to skin and muscle. This results in fat reduction from unwanted areas.

How Does Fat Freezing Work?

The science behind the procedure is that fat cells respond to cold temperatures much more than the skin or muscle cells. Thus, fat cells are more prone to get destroyed by freezing temperatures.

Cryolipolysis is done by applying cold temperatures to adipocytes, which triggers an inflammatory response in the body. Exposure of fat cells to a freezing temperature induces apoptosis-mediated cell death. The frozen fat cells are destroyed by the macrophages and the lymphatic system, resulting in the elimination of unwanted fat cells.

The inflammatory response peaks within 2 to 3 days and the damaged fat cells are removed from the body within two weeks. The inflammation and normal lipid metabolism is restored within three months.

What Are the Areas Best Suited for Fat Freezing?

Cryolipolysis involves the elimination of fat cells present below the surface of the skin, also known as subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat cannot be treated with this method.

The common regions targeted in fat freezing include:

• Arms.

• Thighs (inner and outer).

• Hips (flanks).

• Under the buttocks.

• Abdomen.

• Under the chin.

How Is Fat Freezing Done?

Fat freezing is done by destroying adipocytes using a controlled thermal reduction. The procedure is done in a clinical setting without the use of any anesthetics or analgesics.

• A preprocedural assessment of localized fat deposits is done to evaluate the area to be treated.

• An applicator is placed over the area to freeze the fat cells beneath the skin.

• A gel pad is placed initially to protect the skin surface, following which suction is attached to the applicator.

• This gives a tingling sensation. After about 4 to 7 minutes, the area becomes numb due to the gradual application of freezing temperature.

• This device applies cold temperatures in the range of 30.2 to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 to 4 degrees Celsius) to the selected area for about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and amount of fat deposit present.

• Once the procedure is done, the applicator is removed, and the area is massaged to aid in the destruction of stubborn fat cells.

The number of sessions required for the complete removal of unwanted fat cells depends on the amount of fat to be destroyed. It can range from 1 to 4 sessions. Notable changes in fat reduction are generally seen within 1 to 2 months.

Who Is Ideal for Fat Freezing Procedure?

Fat freezing is a body contouring procedure and hence cannot be used as an alternative to weight loss methods. This procedure can treat adherent subcutaneous fat and is done on people with ideal BMI. Cryolipolysis is not recommended in the following conditions.

• Obese individuals.

• Patients with nerve damage or varicose veins.

• Skin with bruises or lacerations.

• People who are extremely sensitive to cold.

• Pregnant or lactating mothers.

• Patients suffering from conditions related to temperatures like Raynaud’s phenomenon or autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

• Patients with skin diseases like urticaria or psoriasis.

• People with poor skin tone.

How Does Fat Freezing Differ From Liposuction?

• Liposuction is a surgical procedure done to remove fat from the body. The process is invasive and done under general anesthesia, whereas cryolipolysis is a non-invasive and safer technique.

• There is an increased risk of infection in liposuction.

• Complications of liposuction include the formation of a hematoma and damage to surrounding tissues which is not seen in fat freezing.

• The recovery time is long after liposuction.

What Are the Advantages of Fat Freezing?

• Fat freezing is a non-invasive technique. Hence, it is painless.

• There is no need for the use of anesthesia or analgesics.

• Since no surgery is involved, it requires no incisions, and there is no chance of post-operative infection.

• There is no formation of a hematoma, which is a common complication of surgical procedures.

• Many areas can be treated simultaneously in a single session.

• The procedure may boost one’s self-confidence.

• The patients can resume their daily activities immediately after the session.

• The results obtained are permanent. Significant improvement is obtained within a short span.

• The treatment and recovery period is short.

• The procedure does not affect any skin or muscle cells.

What Are the Disadvantages of Fat Freezing?

• The procedure is not recommended for all people. It cannot be done to overweight individuals or people with neurological conditions or skin disorders.

• The interval between two sessions is about eight weeks because it takes time for the adipocytes to completely remove from the body. Hence, it is time-consuming.

• Weight gain can be noted in other areas of the body.

What Are the Side Effects of Fat Freezing?

The common side effects noted immediately after the procedure include:

• Erythema in the areas treated.

• Itching.

• Transient numbness.

• Swelling.

• Prolonged tingling sensation.

• Pain.

• Sometimes, bruises are noted.

• Discoloration of the treated areas.

These side effects are temporary and generally resolve within a span of one to four weeks.

What Are the Complications of Fat Freezing?

• There is a chance for uneven fat removal due to inappropriate placement of the applicator.

• Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, also known as lipohypertrophy, is a rare complication of cryolipolysis where there is rebound growth of fat cells instead of destruction. It is seen around 2-3 months after the procedure. This can form a large and painless mass in the subcutaneous region. Liposuction or abdominoplasty is done to remove this firm mass.

Conclusion

Fat freezing is a non-invasive cosmetic fat reduction and body contouring procedure that is considered safe and successful among people with ideal weight. The treatment and recovery period is short, along with minimal side effects. A surgeon must be consulted for effective treatment planning before the process and to minimize the risk of complications.