How Fat Freezing Works and What to Expect After Treatment

One of the most popular non-surgical methods of fat loss to emerge in recent years has been cryolipolysis, or, as it is more popularly known, fat freezing. This method rapidly cools a targeted area to destroy fat cells while leaving the surrounding tissues intact. Despite being non-surgical, it still sounds scary to many people. It’s only natural to wonder how it works and what to expect.

This article aims to answer those questions for you, so that you have a foundational understanding of the treatment. You can then do further research of your own.

The Science Behind Fat Freezing

Behind the concept of cryolipolysis is a very simple scientific fact. It is the fact that fat cells are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than the other types of cells that surround them. This means that it’s possible to apply cold temperatures for long enough to destroy fat cells, and then stop before any skin and muscle cells are damaged.

Your body has a natural mechanism in place for clearing out the dead fat cells, which it will do over several weeks following the treatment. That is when the results will start to show.

What to Expect During the Procedure

A common concern people have about this treatment is how the cold temperatures will be applied. A lot of the cold things we come into contact with in our lives, like snow and ice, become painful if we are in direct contact with them for a long time. However, you do not need to worry about this during cryolipolysis. The treatment uses a specially designed applicator.

This applicator applies gentle suction to the targeted area of the body before applying the cold. However, the area rapidly becomes numb, so you won’t feel anything besides perhaps a light tingling or pressure at the start. A fat freezing session typically takes 35 minutes to one hour, and many people read or nap while it takes place.

Who Fat Freezing Treatments Are For

Cryolipolysis is not an all-around weight-loss solution. It is a targeted treatment that is ideal for people who are close to their target weight but struggling to drop stubborn fat from specific areas. Common spots are the lower abdomen, thighs, arms, and chin.

The treatment is no substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Rather than thinking about it as a method of fat loss, it should be thought of as a cosmetic procedure that can help boost your confidence.

Does Fat Freezing Really Work?

It’s natural to be slightly sceptical about a treatment that claims to be non-surgical, safe, fast and effective. However, there is extensive evidence that this treatment does work, and this doesn’t just mean the many fat-freezing before-and-after photos online and in clinic brochures. Clinical studies also back its effectiveness.

However, it’s important to be realistic about the results. Firstly, the results emerge gradually over a period of several weeks following the treatment. This is because your body takes that long to dispose of the dead fat cells. Secondly, each session results in an approximate 20-25% reduction of fat. That’s enough to make a visible difference, but not total elimination.

Recovery and Side Effects

The recovery period is minimal, with patients usually able to return to their work and ordinary daily life immediately. It’s often advised to avoid intense exercise in the first 24 hours, however.

Side effects can occur, but these are mild in almost all cases and clear up without treatment. Typical ones include redness, bruising and slight swelling.

Conclusion

Fat freezing is a safe alternative to surgery for spot fat reduction. Now that you understand how it works and what to expect, you’ll be better able to conduct research and decide whether it’s for you.