Aesthetic medicine is constantly advancing to offer innovative treatments that help improve physical appearance. Among its latest innovations, cryolipolysis stands out, a procedure developed at the General Hospital of Massachusetts in the United States and is currently expanding throughout the world as the most effective alternative to eliminate the accumulation of fat in different parts of the body. And mold the figure through the reduction of measures.
What does cryolipolysis mean? The name of this treatment is the mixture of two words that respond to its technique: “crío,” which means cold, and “lipolysis,” which means the destruction of fat. Therefore, cryolipolysis is a method that eliminates localized adipose tissue through the application of cold. Do you want to know how it works? Keep reading this FastlyHealarticle and discover what cryolipolysis is for and its contraindications.
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What is cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is an aesthetic treatment that offers to eliminate localized fat through the application of cold in different parts of the body. The creators of this technique were based on the proven fact that fat cells, or fat tissue, are more vulnerable than the rest to low temperatures, which is why cryolipolysis offers to burn fat without damaging the dermis.
How does cryolipolysis work in the body? Freezing adipocyte cells, which, being fat, need a lower temperature than the rest of the tissue to freeze. Once the cell is frozen, it is affected and dies, but it may take two months to be eliminated from the body, so the effects of this treatment are best appreciated in the third month after application.
The temperatures used in cryolipolysis range between 5ºC and -12ºC; however, the apparatus used for cooling is controlled, making it possible to avoid any inconvenience during the application of cold. The rest of the skin and non-greasy tissue exposed to the cold does not suffer any consequence or modification since the therapy only acts on the fat cells.
What is a cryolipolysis session like?
Cryolipolysis is a treatment that, like most, is applied through sessions. In the case of this method, the applications are made once a month, and it is estimated that up to four sessions are needed per area of the body to be treated.
What is cryolipolysis for?
As the treatment removes localized fat, it can be used as a solution to eliminate cartridge belts, reduce abdominal love handles, achieve a flat stomach, decrease buttock fat and improve the appearance of orange skin. Depending on the amount of localized fat and the area to be treated, the number of sessions required and their temperature will be calculated.
In a cryolipolysis session, the aesthetic medicine specialist will ask the person to lie down on a stretcher, without clothes on the affected area, and cover the skin with a cream and cryo gel to protect it. When the treatment begins, the specialist will apply cold through special equipment on the part to be treated. The application can last around 20 or 60 minutes, depending on the needs of each person. The machine used for this treatment is called Zeltiq. During the treatment, the person will feel pressure in the area and then cold, which may be more intense in the first minutes.
The session is ambulatory, and the person can continue leading his life without any care, rest, treatment, or special care. For this reason, cryolipolysis is considered a non-invasive treatment that does not put the person’s health at risk or modify their daily routine.
Advantages of cryolipolysis
Outpatient and non-invasive treatment
It is a technique performed without any surgical intervention, so it is presented as an alternative to liposuction. It is a painless treatment that does not put the skin or the health of the person at risk.
Desired results
Unlike other aesthetic treatments, cryolipolysis offers a pretty noticeable effect, so fewer sessions are needed to see the results than ultra cavitation and carboxytherapy, which suggest a more extensive treatment. The changes are perceived in a more extended amount of time.
Few side effects
After a cryolipolysis session, the skin will only feel tight and a little red due to the application of cold; the rest of the treatment does not cause any more side effects.
Fat is removed naturally.
Cryolipolysis does not use abrasive or toxic substances to remove fat from the body. Likewise, the elimination of adipocyte cells occurs naturally through the urine without forcing or stimulating the body to dispose of fat.
Cryolipolysis contraindications and disadvantages
Does not treat morbid obesity
When the excess fat accumulated is due to a significant overweight, this treatment is not practical since, in these cases, more invasive procedures are needed. Applying cryolipolysis to obese people will not cause any noticeable results.
Skin diseases
People who suffer from conditions such as dermatitis or psoriasis should consult their dermatologist if they can apply this type of treatment since, generally, any extraordinary application on the skin can affect these diseases.
Other pathologies
If the person suffers from heart disease, it is also advisable to consult with their doctor before undergoing this treatment. In the same way, if you have a pacemaker or any other object such as a prosthesis.
It is an expensive treatment.
As cryolipolysis is a relatively new procedure and suggests being used with a particular machine, the few beauty centers that offer it charge high prices for each session. Finding a center that provides this service can be a difficult task.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.