Cryolipolysis has become one of the most carried out aesthetic medicine acts in the world. But we are often suspicious about the technique. Does it work? Is it safe? Is this really an alternative to liposuction? Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Cryolipolysis, danger ?
Cryolipolysis is a medical technique, and as such, it must be performed by physicians who are familiar with this technique.
Even if we might think that this treatment is not so powerful, it still needs great care.
For any abdominal treatment, it is necessary to ensure the absence of hernias because otherwise, an intestinal loop could be sucked up with the skin during the treatment and be damaged.
The machine used must have a CE mark and the skin must be protected. Otherwise, burns and even skin necrosis are possible.
The cutaneous and lymphatic state of the area to be treated must be analyzed, the parameters adapted individually and if necessary, the practitioner should refuse the treatment.
Any pain reported by patients after the treatment is due to overly aggressive parameter settings for the zone, and rarely due to individual sensitivity.
The liver function and the lipid balance are not affected by cryolipolysis.
Cryolipolysis opinions
We often read conflicting opinions on blogs.Please note, it is impossible to get a good idea of what it is from reading Internet reviews. The result and the sequences depend on:-
The machine used.
– The indication required: the result will be unsatisfactory if the indication is not the right one.
– Parameters used.
– The practitioner (clinical examination, correct protection of the skin, etc).
(Reviews on the internet are completely random, subjective and unreliable)
To support this information, I offer a brief summary of the medical literature:
– Safety and Efficacy of Bilateral Sublingual Cryolipolysis with Quantified 3-Dimensional Imaging of Fat Reduction and Skin Tightening. Eric F. Bernstein, MD, MSE; Jason D. Bloom, MD. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. Published online April 20, 2017. doi: 10.1001 / jamafacial.2017.0102.The study demonstrates that bilateral localised cryolipolysis is well tolerated and produces a visible and significant reduction of the fat layer.
– Cryolipolysis® reduces excess adipose tissue. Nelson AA, Wasserman D, Avram MM. Cryolipolysis® for the Reduction of Excess Adipose Tissue. Semin Cutan Med Surg.Initial human studies have shown significant reductions in the thickness of the superficial fat layer, ranging from 20% to 80%, after a single cryolipolysis treatment. The decrease in fat thickness occurs gradually during the first 3 months after treatment, and is more pronounced in patients with limited discrete fat bumps. Skin rash, bruising, and temporary numbness at the area treated are commonly observed following treatment with the device, but these effects are largely resolved within a week. To date, there have been no reports of scars, ulcerations or alterations in lipid or hepatic blood profiles. Cryolipolysis is a new non-invasive treatment option that can be beneficial in treating fat excess.
– No Impact On Serum Lipid Levels & Liver Function. Klein, K. B., Bachelor, E.P., Becker, E.V. and Bowes, L. Everyday, same day Cryolipolysis® treatments for the reduction of subcutaneous fat are safe. Lasers in Surg.Prospective multicentre study of 35 subjects with 3 cycles of CoolSculpting treatment on the same day. Serum lipid levels and liver function tests measured at baseline and post-treatment (1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks) showed no significant change despite several treatments on the same day.
– Efficacy & safety demonstrated in studies. Avram MM, Harry RS. Cryolipolysis® for Subcutaneous Fat Layer Reduction. Lasers Surg Med.Cryolipolysis has been shown to be effective in human studies. The results of the histology also confirm the selective reduction of fat with evidence of gradual thinning of the fat layer over a period of two to four months. It is important to note that cryolipolysis has not produced significant undesirable side effects in studies to date and that the effects noted have been minor and temporary.Although the mechanism of action of cryolipolysis is not yet fully understood, the efficacy and safety of this non-invasive procedure for reducing the fat layer has been demonstrated in the studies. Other studies will help identify the mechanism and elucidate the full potential of this technology to achieve a safe and non-invasive reduction of localized fat.
– 22% discount in “love handles” fat layer. Dover J, Burns J, Coleman S, et al. A Prospective Clinical Study of Noninvasive Cryolipolysis® for Subcutaneous Fat Layer Reduction.This interim report on the 32 subjects in this study shows promising results, a 22% reduction in love handles with conservative treatment parameters (exposure time and potency).
– Decreases fat and changes body contour. Zelickson B, Egbert BM, Preciado J, et al. Cryolipolysis® for Noninvasive Fat Cell Destruction: Initial Results From a Pig Model. Dermatol Surg.The treatments resulted in a significant reduction of the surface fat layer without damaging the skin. An inflammatory response induced by the cold cause the apoptose (destruction) of the adipocytes. The assessment of lipid levels for 3 months after treatment showed that the cholesterol and triglyceride values were normal.Cryolipolysis is worthy of further study because it has been shown to significantly decrease subcutaneous fat and alter the body contour without causing damage to the skin and surrounding structures or deleterious changes in blood lipids.
Cryolipolysis price, Coolsculpting price
The cost of the medical procedure depends on several factors. For coolsculpting, the price is about 1200 € for each area (for example the love handles are classed as one area). For other machines, the price varies between 500 and 700 € per zone. The use of coolsculpting requires a more expensive consumable than the other machines, hence the price difference. If the skin fold is greater than 5 cm, it is often necessary to perform two sessions.
Slimming at any cost
The loss of weight and localized fat is a frequent demand. Women always (and men in more and more cases) want to slim down. Cryolipolysis is not a slimming technique, , but a localized fat treatment and must be accompanied by a proper lifestyle. Many people would do anything to lose weight, but as far as cryolipolysis is concerned, one must be vigilant because choosing a practitioner or a center without making enquiries can mean either a failure or sometimes result in serious consequences.
