Can you reduce body fat without surgery? (Cryolipolysis) Let's talk about it!

Are you also tired of exercising and controlling your diet and not being able to reduce unwanted fat in certain areas of your body? Sometimes, it feels like the fat on your stomach, hips, and arms just won't go away no matter how hard you try? Today, we're going to talk about a method that targets fat in those hard-to-remove areas and removes it without surgery.

Simply put, what is Cryolipolysis?

Cryolipolysis is commonly referred to as "fat freezing." This involves using extreme cold to destroy and remove fat cells in selected areas of our bodies. Think of it like "chilling" fat cells with something like an ice cube, allowing them to naturally exit the body.

What parts of the body are best suited for this treatment?

This method is typically used to remove fat in the following areas:

• Fat under the chin
• Upper arms
• On the inner and outer sides of the thighs
• Belly fat
• Fat around the waist ("love handles")
• On the upper back
• Lower back
• Under the buttocks area

How does this treatment work?

This is a very simple procedure. You can have it done in a doctor's office or in an outpatient clinic. You are fully conscious. You are not given anesthesia.

1. Preparation: First, the amount and shape of fat in the area to be treated is examined. Then, the area is marked with a skin marking pencil.

2. Skin protection: Next, a gel pad is placed over the marked area to protect your skin.

3. Using the device: Now comes the real work. A handheld device called an ``Applicator`` is used. This device works by capturing and cooling the fat cells (adipocytes) under your skin. In this process, your fat layer is sucked into a hole in the device (suction). At this point, you will feel a pinching or squeezing sensation.

4. Cooling: After the fat layer is inserted into the device, it will begin to cool down gradually. For the first 5-10 minutes, you may feel a sharp cold, numbness, burning sensation, or slight pain . But after a while, the area will become completely numb, so you won’t feel anything. The fat layer will gradually be brought to a temperature between 30.2 and 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Treatment time: It usually takes about an hour to treat one area.

6. End: After an hour, the device is removed. Then, the area is massaged thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to help further break down the fat cells damaged by the cold.

How are fat cells actually destroyed?

This is a very interesting scientific fact. Fat cells are much more sensitive to cold than our skin cells. This means that even at temperatures that do not harm the skin, fat cells can be damaged.

The cold applied during this treatment causes injury to the fat cells. This damage triggers the body's immune system to respond to the injury. As a result of this response, the fat cells die. Then, our body's "clean-up soldiers" called macrophages, a type of white blood cell, come in and remove these dead fat cells and other waste products from the body.

When will the results start to be seen? How much fat will be lost?

This is what everyone needs to know. Studies have shown that about 4 months after the first treatment, between 15% and 28% of the fat in that area has been reduced .

However, you may notice a slight difference after about 3 weeks of treatment. You may see a clear, positive change after about 2 months . It may take between 3 and 6 months to see maximum results. This is because it takes some time for the dead fat cells to completely leave the body.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment?

Like any other, this one has its pros and cons. Let's look at both.

Are there people who should not have this treatment?

Yes. This treatment is not suitable for everyone. It is especially not recommended for people with the following conditions:

• People with obesity.
• If the area to be treated has cuts, wounds, severe varicose veins, or other skin conditions.
• People with abnormal cold sensitivity or intolerance to cold.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers.
• People with nerve diseases such as diabetes-related neuropathy.
• People with skin diseases related to the immune system (e.g. eczema, psoriasis).

In addition, there are several rare conditions associated with colds, and this treatment is also not suitable for people with these conditions.

• Raynaud's phenomenon: A condition in which blood flow to the fingers and toes is impaired due to cold.
• Cryoglobulinemia: A condition in which certain proteins in the blood thicken and block blood vessels in cold temperatures.
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: A rare autoimmune disease in which red blood cells are destroyed when exposed to cold.
• Cold urticaria: A condition in which red, itchy welts (hives) appear on the skin when exposed to cold.
• Cold agglutinin disease: A condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own red blood cells. This can be exacerbated by cold.

What are the possible side effects after treatment?

These may temporarily appear at the site of treatment, but they will disappear completely within a few days or weeks.

• Minor pain or aches
• A burning or tingling sensation on the skin
• Skin redness
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration or bruising
• Skin numbness or increased sensitivity

Your doctor may prescribe a painkiller to help relieve this discomfort.

Talk to a doctor first.

Although this is a cosmetic procedure, it is essential to discuss your health and any other medical conditions you may have with a qualified doctor before undergoing this procedure. This procedure should only be performed by a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, or licensed dermatologist.

Talk openly with your doctor before treatment about the frequency of treatments, cost (these are usually not covered by insurance), and any questions you may have.

Cryolipolysis, fat freezing, fat removal, body shaping, cosmetic treatments, CoolSculpting, non-surgical