Cryogenic Fat Freezing

What is the Cryolipolysis® procedure?

The new, non-invasive CoolSculpting procedure has been clinically proven to reduce fat. CoolSculpting acts by reducing the fat layer because fat is uniquely susceptible to the colder temperatures, while other tissue is not. The mechanism involved is called Cryolipolysis®.
Cryolipolysis® is when the adipose tissue is cooled in a non-invasive manner, inducing lipolysis (the breaking down of fat cells) with no damage to any other tissues. The result of this treatment (over a two-to-four month period) is a noticeable reduction and a natural-looking reduction of fat.

How does the Cryolipolysis® treatment work?

Cryolipolysis® is based on the scientific principle that your fat cells are much more vulnerable to cooling (energy extraction) than your surrounding tissues are. The procedure itself involves attaching a non-invasive applicator to the targeted area, and this works by extracting energy from any underlying fat tissue, yet protecting the nerves, skin, muscles and any other non-fat tissue. The fat cells that have been cooled undergo a type of controlled cell death called apoptosis, and are gradually eliminated from your body, thus reducing the thickness of your fat layer.

What happens to the cooled fat cells during and after the CoolSculpting procedure?

As you undergo the CoolSculpting procedure, your fat cells are exposed to cooling and fat cell death (apoptosis) occurs, which leads to cytokines (and other inflammatory mediators) being released. The inflammatory cells slowly digest the fat cells that have been affected by cooling in the months post-procedure. The lipids from your treated fat cells are released slowly and are transported by your lymphatic system for processing, in much the same way as the fat from your food is processed. As the lipid clearance is a gradual process, no harmful change occurs to your blood lipids or your liver function.

When you say the procedure involves cooling, how cold is it?

The lipids present in your fat cells crystallize at a warmer temperature than do other water-containing cells in your body. This is why Cryolipolysis® only targets your fat cells for destruction and it spares all your other tissues (e.g. skin, nerves and muscle). The CoolSculpting system itself controls the energy extraction rate (or the cooling level) during the treatment.

What is involved in the CoolSculpting procedure and how does the ‘cooling’ reach the fat layer?

The CoolSculpting system incorporates a selection of tissue-cooling and non-invasive applicators that are controlled by a specially engineered monitoring system. Your IPSA skin specialist will attach an applicator to your targeted treatment area to cool (by extracting energy from) the underlying fat tissue. The specifically designed applicator draws tissue under vacuum into the applicator cup and this then gently holds the tissue between two separate cooling panels. Heat is then extracted in line with the chosen procedure profile. There are embedded sensors in the applicator that monitor your skin during the cooling procedure, and this ensures the cooling procedure is consistent and uniform. These sensors, linked up to the control console, continuously adjust and monitor the cooling level throughout your CoolSculpting procedure, providing continuous feedback to your IPSA physician. An in-built paging system alerts your experienced IPSA physician automatically regarding any device issues or patient issues that require attention, also notifying him/her when your CoolSculpting treatment is complete.

What kind of results can I expect from my CoolSculpting procedure at my IPSA skin clinic?

Clinical studies have demonstrated how the CoolSculpting procedure produces both noticeable and measurable fat reduction when patients are properly selected for this treatment protocol. The fat reduction takes place over the two–four months post-procedure. Additional procedures can then be administered two–four months following the initial procedure so as to achieve even greater fat reduction.

How long will my CoolSculpting results last for?

IPSA’s CoolSculpting clients often start to see their results as early as three weeks post-treatment. These fat-reduction results last for a long time, and some studies have shown durable results from the procedure at five years post-treatment.
The fat-cell exposure to cooling causes your fat cells to undergo a natural removal process, which steadily reduces the thickness of your fat layer. Those fat cells in your treated area are then gently eliminated through your body’s normal metabolic processes, as with fat from your food. The elimination of the fat cells through the CoolSculpting procedure should last about the same time as fat cells that are removed via invasive surgical procedures (e.g. liposuction).

What are the common post-procedure side effects from CoolSculpting?

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Your IPSA skin clinic’s CoolSculpting procedure is totally non-invasive, and this allows for an immediate return to your normal activities (e.g. work or exercise). You may experience some redness in your treated area, which can last from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. Sometimes there is a slight localized swelling or bruising that clears within a couple of weeks. Many of IPSA’s clients experience a temporary dulling of the sensation in their treated area, which can last from one to eight weeks.

Which clients are the most suitable candidates for the CoolSculpting procedure at IPSA?

The type of controlled cooling that takes place when undergoing the CoolSculpting procedure targets and then eliminates fat cells, leaving other types of cell intact. Other types of treatment modality (e.g. lasers, focused ultrasound and radiofrequency) affect your fat cells but may also affect other adjacent tissues in a way that is not comparable to CoolSculpting involving Cryolipolysis®.
To book your same-

day IPSA CoolSculpting consultation, phone your IPSA skin clinic or book online.