Struggling with stubborn body fat that just won’t go away, no matter how much time you dedicate to exercising, careful meal planning and otherwise tweaking your lifestyle? Getting stuck in a body you’re not 100% happy with and not being able to defeat the imperfections on your own can be a disheartening, gruesome experience.
Until recently, surgery was the only option, practically a no-brainer. However, not everyone is overly keen on hopping on a surgical table and getting their fat sucked out, as not only it’s unpleasant, but also requires a prolonged recovery period. Then, there are possible complications that are not to be taken lightly. Finally, some people have health conditions and contraindications that prevent them for getting cosmetic surgery altogether.
If you recognised yourself in the previous two paragraphs, fret not – we might just have a solution for you! The name is CoolSculpting, casually known as “fat freezing”, and today we’re going to tell you all about it to help you make an educated decision!
How does it work, and what are the results?
Fat freezing – or, scientifically speaking, cryolipolysis, is a relatively new non-invasive (meaning no surgery required) method of getting rid of fat cells in any areas where there is stubborn excess, including but not limited to double chins, “muffin tops” and more.
The essence of the procedure is using skin-suction cups which suctions fat into an applicator freezing and subsequently crystallizing underlying fat cells. Don’t worry, you won’t get skin damage, as fat cells freeze before skin does, and the machine is designed to fully control the process under supervision of a qualified practitioner. There should be no pain or “burning” sensation, although some people do experience slight numbing.
The procedure is also approved by the FDA, meaning when prescribed and administered appropriately, it is safe and beneficial.
Frozen fat cells quickly die, and the body simply reabsorbs and excretes them, just like it would do with any other kind of internal waste. Hint: they are eventually flushed down the toilet. Not all cells die right away though, and the process continues over several days. As the cells don’t all die at the same time and are excreted slowly, the result is not apparent straight away – sometimes it can even take a couple of months. Sometimes more than one treatment is necessary to achieve best results. And a second treatment can be carried out four to eight weeks after the first treatment.
A single procedure usually lasts for approximately 35 minutes, although slight variations are possible depending on the area. Recent research also shows that multiple treatments can be safely performed on the same day, with no changes in blood parameters or any noticeable side effects.
Who is it for?
Fat freezing can work in any area that contains unwanted fat. Numerous studies have deemed cryolipolysis safe and effective for fat reduction on inner thighs, lateral thighs (which are usually a very stubborn area), and other areas such as abdomen and flanks.
Another interesting, lesser known application for cryolipolysis is male breast reduction (for treatment of the condition called pseudogynecomastia, resulting in development of prominent, feminine breasts in males). A small study found that for 95% of the participants, the results were self-perceived as massive success, and 89% felt less embarrassed exposing their chest in public after receiving the treatment. All participants received 2 treatments spaced out by 2 months, highlighting the importance of managing expectations from a single procedure. As noted above, sometimes repeated visits are necessary to achieve the desired result, especially if there is a considerable layer of fat tissue to target.
In short, everyone who has unwanted fat deposits can potentially benefit from fat freezing, but at least one thorough initial consultation with a health practitioner is required to talk through benefits and risks.
Will it make you lose weight?
While you will lose some weight after the procedure, don’t expect to see dramatic changes on your trustworthy scale. Remember that fat freezing typically targets a relatively small area at a time, and that fat is relatively light compared to muscle.
It’s worth mentioning though that so long as you’re happy with the result and can see and feel the changes (e.g. clothes fit better), you shouldn’t worry too much about the weight.
Likewise, you can’t expect to maintain the result without getting adequate exercise and watching what goes in your mouth. Cryolipolysis is a boost, but not an obesity cure!
Is it permanent?
Yes…it is, once the fat cells die, they will never return ...
See, in terms of the number of fat cells, the ones that have been frozen are dead, forever. And since after a certain age the total number of fat cells remains constant, your body won’t remake them.
However, the remaining fat cells can still increase in size, meaning if you sabotage your lifestyle hard enough, the unwanted appearance will come back. Or you can get extra fat deposits in odd places.
Therefore, it’s hard to overestimate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle after getting the procedure!
Is it safe?
If done by a professional using appropriate, licensed equipment, fat freezing is generally a very safe procedure with minimal down time, short recovery time, and negligible discomfort.
Complications are fortunately rare –but, people with the following conditions shouldn’t be getting cryolipolysis:
- cryoglobulinemia
- cold agglutinin disease
- paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
Conclusion
Provided you’re a good candidate, fat freezing can be a fantastic option for spot fat reduction, giving you a nice confidence boost. Make sure to consult a health practitioner beforehand to avoid nasty surprises and enjoy your procedure!
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