Fat freezing, also known as cryolipolysis, is an FDA approved non-invasive method of freezing fat cells to get rid of “love handles,” a double chin and other unwanted bulges of fat. It promises to remove 25 percent of fat in a given area, but probably not all in a single treatment. Fat freezing works by using paddles that suction your skin into a cup in order to crystallize underlying fat cells. Each procedure can last from 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the target area.
What are the risks?
Although research is still limited, fat freezing is generally viewed as a safer, non-invasive type of fat reduction surgery than traditional procedures, such as liposuction. As the procedure does not involve any cutting, tissue manipulation, or anesthesia, most people do not needs any recovery time and can immediately resume normal activities. Common immediate side effects of fat freezing include redness, tenderness, stinging, mild to moderate pain, muscle cramping. Other common side effects that a person may experience in the first few weeks after fat freezing include itchiness, diarrhea and a feeling of fullness in the throat.
Fat freezing is relatively new, and so the full extent of risks, side effects, and complications associated with the procedure is still unknown.
Fat freezing is also only approved and proven effective on a limited number of body areas. Body regions where fat freezing is considered safe and effective for removing minor fat deposits include:
Abdomen
Thighs
Under the chin or upper neck
Flanks
Under the armpit
Back
Buttocks and under the buttocks
Who should avoid it?
Conditions that rule out the use of fat freezing include:
pregnancy, attempting to become pregnant, and breast-feeding
cold agglutinin disease, an autoimmune condition where temperature change kills red blood cells
skin conditions related to the immune system, such as eczema and psoriasis
bleeding conditions that thin the blood
chronic pain conditions
severe anxiety disorders
What are the positive results?
One benefit of fat freezing is that, unlike with diet and exercise, fat cells are actually destroyed and removed from the body. This means the same fat cells cannot return or enlarge with weight gain.
There are several other benefits of fat freezing:
It is a low-risk procedure for most people
It can help people who have lost weight or at a healthy weight but still have excess fat in particular areas.
There is less risk of regaining weight and results are long-lasting because fat cells are actually destroyed and removed from the body.
The risk of skin dimpling or bumps is low because fat cells are destroyed evenly across a patch of skin.
Overall, the procedure can help boost self-confidence, especially when combined with weight loss achieved through a healthful diet and exercise.
