Everything you need to know about Fat Freezing and Cryplipolysis
Overview
Coolsculpting, also called cryplipolysis, is a medical procedure that helps get rid of excess fat cells underneath your skin. While there are several benefits of CoolSculpting, it’s important to be aware of the risks if you’re considering this procedure.
Using technology available in the UK since 2011, a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure is available that can literally freeze away targeted fat and thousands are turning to it to get rid of their love handles or muffin tops
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have been enticed to try this fat-reducing technology, which can remove pockets of fat to help shape the body, it is not intended to remove large amounts of fat. Unlike certain other fat removal techniques such as liposuction, cryogenic lipolysis can be performed without anaesthesia and does not require making incisions into the skin or taking time off to recover from a surgical procedure.
During a CoolSculpting procedure, a plastic surgeon or other licensed practitioner uses a special tool to cool certain parts of your body to freezing temperature. The procedure freezes and kills fat cells in the part of your body that you’re having treated. Within a few weeks of treatment, these dead fat cells are naturally broken down and flushed out of your body through your liver.
How does cryogenic lipolysis work?
The principle behind cryogenic lipolysis is that fat-containing cells known as adipocytes are more susceptible to cold temperatures than other types of cells. It is similar to what happens when exposure to cold weather lead to frostbite- where the fat cells freeze before the skin cells freeze, so with cryogenic lipolysis the fat cells are frozen whilst leaving the skin cells intact.
One device commonly used in the procedure has two cooling panels attached to a cup-shaped applicator to apply cool temperatures to the area being treated. Vacuum pressure sucks the fat bulge into the hand-held applicator, and cool temperatures are applied for about 45 minutes to 1 hour to kill the adipocytes. During the procedure the person being treated will feel pressure and extreme cold at first, but these sensations don’t last more than a few minutes. When the device is removed the fat will have hardened but it will soften again within minutes. The area should then be massaged for a couple of minutes. The person can return to their normal activities immediately, but it will take time to notice any results.
Inflammation at the site appears after about 3 days and is usually most noticeable after about 14 days. It occurs as the body produces a natural response to injury resulting in lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells surrounding the dead fat cells, and then the body’s immune system sending macrophages and other phagocytes to the area to digest the fat cells 14-30 days after treatment.
A month after the surgery the inflammation should subside as the number of destroyed fat cells decrease. It will take 2 to 4 months before the results of the treatment are apparent.
Is Freezing fat right for you?
Cryogenic lipolysis removes fat in the subcutaneous layer just below the skin. It works best on small areas of the abdomen, back and flank and can also be used on the thighs. There is a risk that fat removal from large areas would not be removed evenly. The volume of fat also needs to be suitable to fit in the applicator. It is not suitable for people who are obese. The number of treatments given may depend on the location of the fat.
Ideally, the person receiving treatment should be within normal weight range, and have soft fat that can be pinched, as well as take regular exercise and have a healthy diet. Although the procedure can destroy 20-25% of fat cells and they won’t come back, lack of exercise and a poor diet can still allow the remaining 75-80% of fat cells to expand.
Risk and Side Effects of CoolSculpting
Some common side effects of CoolSculpting include:
- Tugging Sensation at the treatment site
During a CoolSculpting procedure, your doctor will place a roll of fat between two cooling panels on the part of your body that’s being treated. This can create a sensation of tugging or pulling that you’ll have to put up with for one to two hours which is how long the procedure usually takes.
- Pain, stinging, or aching at the treatment site
Researchers have found that a common side effect of CoolSculpting is pain, stinging, or aching at the treatment site. These sensations typically begin soon after treatment until about two weeks after treatment. The intense cold temperatures that the skin and tissue are exposed to during CoolSculpting may be the cause.
- Temporary redness, swelling, bruising, and skin sensitivity at the treatment site
Common CoolSculpting side effects include the following, all located where the treatment was done including, temporary redness, swelling, bruising, skin sensitivity.
These are caused by exposure to cold temperatures. They usually go away on their own after a few weeks. These side effects occur because CoolSculpting affects the skin in a similar manner as frostbite, in this case targeting the fatty tissue just below the skin.
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia at the treatment site
A very rate but serious side effect of CoolSculpting is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. It occurs most in men. This means the fat cells in the treatment site grow larger rather than smaller. It’s not fully understood why this occurse. While it’s a cosmetic rather than physically dangerous side effect, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia doesn’t disappear on its own.
Dr. Ashok Pandey from Bombay Cosmetic Clinic is a celebrated and revered personality in the field of cosmetic surgery. Currently conducting his cosmetic and aesthetic surgery practice in Navi Mumbai, he is associated with number of leading hospitals across the city where he regularly imparts his services to the needy.
Such is his expertise in his field of knowledge that he has successfully conducted more than thousand cosmetic practicing in South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and plastic surgeries in his career so far.
For consultation call – 099307 31109 / 022 27801101
