Cryolipolysis is a fat removal treatment that is coming into greater and greater usage these days, because it has the ability to completely destroy fat cells by freezing them. As you might expect, this has quickly popularized the procedure, because there are so many people trying to shed unwanted pounds and trying to re-shape their bodies into more aesthetically pleasing condition. The process works by administering a controlled cooling temperature somewhere between 0 degrees Centigrade and -11 degrees Centigrade. These very cold temperatures accomplish a non-invasive, localized elimination of fat cells.

This has the desirable effect of reshaping your body in those areas, and trimming fat from places where you don't want it to be. Direct exposure to the freezing temperature causes subcutaneous fat cells and tissue to die off with no harm whatsoever to the surrounding tissues or the layers of skin above. Cryolipolysis is an aesthetic procedure which is a non-surgical alternative that can be used in the same way as liposuction to eliminate stubborn fat.

The term cryolipolysis comes from several Greek words: 'cryo' which means cold, 'lipo' which means fat, and 'lysis', which means to loosen or dissolve. There are several different types of cryolipolysis machines, and they operate on different principles. Some of them rely on a cooling head and a vacuum that causes a temporary reduction of blood flow to the treatment area. This immobilizes the fat tissue and isolates the treatment area from all other tissue in that area of the body. There's an elevated risk associated with this approach because it relies on suction, whereas other methods do not use suction as part of the process, and are therefore less invasive.

How the cryolipolysis process works

A cryolipolysis machine might use several different approaches to accomplish the task of contouring your body and eliminating fat. One type of device makes use of suction and cold temperatures, and although this is the most invasive approach, it can still achieve desirable results. Another type of cryolipolysis fat freezing machine uses a fixed-position static pad to accomplish the fat freezing objective, and a third type of machine uses the least invasive method, which involves using a Cryo Wand 2 to manage the cryolipolysis fat freezing.

To begin the procedure, a gel must be applied to the patient's skin, after which the cryolipolysis machine will be positioned directly over the treatment area. If paddles are being used, they will be applied to the area where the gel has been administered, and then the cooling process will begin. The actual temperature involved may be anywhere from zero degrees Centigrade to minus eleven Centigrade, depending on the specific cryolipolysis fat freezing machine being used.

As soon as the freezing temperature is felt by fat tissue, it begins to freeze. After approximately 45 minutes, the treated fat cells will rupture, and then they will be passed on to the body's lymphatic system. Once the fat cells become part of the body's normal metabolism process, the dead fat cells will be eliminated through urine and sweat. The elimination process doesn't happen overnight, and actually requires several weeks before fat cells can be completely eliminated from the body. Once the fat cells underneath your skin are gone, your body will begin to reshape itself into a configuration much more to your liking.

Areas commonly treated with cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis can be used on most parts of the body, but in actual practice, it is most frequently used on the more visible areas of the body, because that's where it will have the biggest impact. Many people want the procedure applied to their abdomens, where fat typically gets stored up over a period of years, and where it can easily be observed by others. The arms are another area where the procedure is commonly applied, because fat can accumulate when the arms are not used often, and exercise does not stimulate the arm muscles.

Many women want to trim fat off their inner and upper thighs, since these are also common areas for fat storage, and because they get so much attention from admirers. For the same reason, trimming fat off the buttocks is a very popular choice among users of cryolipolysis, especially those wishing to achieve a slimmed-down version of themselves. Females also tend to opt for fat-freezing in the area around the upper back, where a bra would come in direct contact with the skin.

Fortunately, some cryolipolysis machines are quite portable and can be positioned almost anywhere around a patient's body. When considering cryolipolysis, have some discussions with your local expert so you can gain an understanding of what might be a realistic objective for your circumstances. When you have a targeted approach like this, it will be easy to compare the after-results to what you had hoped to accomplish, and thereby gauge the success of the procedure.

Benefits of cryolipolysis

There are quite a few benefits you can achieve through cryolipolysis, just as there are a number of benefits to adopting this form of fat loss as your preferred approach. Some of these benefits are the obvious ones you'd think of right away, but others are less obvious, and might be a pleasant bonus to having the procedure performed:

• simple and comfortable - the fact that this is a non-invasive process makes it comfortable for the patient, and very simple for the operator to conduct in a session

• few patient restrictions - there are no patient restrictions regarding age, body type, or skin type. All that's necessary is that you're in generally good health, with no skin issues in the treatment area.

• safe and effective - there are no safety risks associated with the process, yet it can be extremely effective in eliminating fat

• no downtime or recovery period - following a cryolipolysis treatment session, it will not be necessary to stay out of work or to lose downtime, and recovery is so fast that patients can walk right out of the treatment room within minutes

• permanent results - once your fat cells have been destroyed, they're gone for good. Unless you do something to generate more fat cells in that same area, and omit exercise as part of your ongoing routine, you'll find that the fat is permanently gone from your body.

• multiple treatments in a session - it is totally possible to treat multiple areas in one session. That means you can accomplish more in a single session, and save money by not having to schedule more sessions for other body areas.

It generally requires several sessions to completely accomplish your fat elimination goals, but each one of your sessions will be safe and comfortable for you to go through. Since you won't have to miss any work for your sessions, they can easily be scheduled - possibly even on your lunch hour. After several weeks have gone by, and your dead fat cells have been eliminated, you'll start to feel better and you'll look better than ever.

General objectives of cryolipolysis

Of course, the primary objective of cryolipolysis, and any of the machines used in the procedure, is to kill off fat cells, and eliminate them through the body's natural processes. On a more specific level, here are some of the immediate objectives of cryolipolysis:

• reduction of back fat - a cryolipolysis treatment can kill off fat cells in the upper back area, commonly where a bra would be pressed against the skin. This can eliminate the tightness of the bra, and make it far more comfortable to wear on a daily basis.

• trimming buttocks and thighs - a great many people wish to have fat removed from their buttocks and thighs, and there's no better way to do this than through cryolipolysis, which can specifically target precise areas like this.

• firming up the arms - many people experience an increase in fat deposits in the triceps area, especially during the aging process. Using cryolipolysis, these fat deposits can be eliminated, so the arms don't show a lot of loose, untoned skin and body tissue.

• tightening of the waist - the waist is one of the most frequently targeted areas on the body for weight loss. This is understandable, given that it's an area where fat typically accumulates, especially as people age. When the waist has been sufficiently trimmed, that swimming circle of the abdomen will have been removed, so that you can once again enjoy a streamlined waist curve.

• abdomen reshaping - a great many males need to have their abdomen re-shaped, because they have acquired a beer belly over the years. On the other hand, many women lose muscle tone in their abdomens after going through a pregnancy. It's very common to develop post-natal stretch marks and postpartum fat, both of which can be eliminated through the cryolipolysis fat freezing process.

While these are the most commonly targeted areas of the body, they are by no means the only areas targeted. People can accumulate fat in just about any area of the body, and that means cryolipolysis can be used in all those same areas. When you see the obvious improvement in your body sculpting from one area, you may want to add other areas for treatment where stubborn fat has accumulated.

Are you a candidate for cryolipolysis?

Before you actually undertake the cryolipolysis procedure, you'll have at least one and probably several discussions with your doctor and your professional cryolipolysis specialist. Most people who are in general good health and in need of fat reduction would be considered good candidates for the procedure, although there are a few restrictions. Here are some medical conditions that might prevent you from undergoing cryolipolysis:

• people who have difficulty with cold temperatures - even though the procedure is localized and affects only a small part of your body at one time, some people just have problems when experiencing cold, for instance those suffering from cryoglobulinemia. This condition causes clumping in the bloodstream, and that can have major consequences for blood flow.

• recent surgeries - you should not undergo cryolipolysis if you have had a recent surgery, of if you have surgery scheduled for the near future

• pregnancy - pregnant mothers should not undergo the procedure, because it can have an impact on the unborn fetus

• diabetes - patients who are diabetic should not schedule cryolipolysis, because it can have an unpredictable impact

• cancer patients - cancer patients should also not undertake the fat-freezing procedure, even if the cancerous cells are not in the target area for fat-freezing.

People of all ages have successfully undergone cryolipolysis treatments, and there are few restrictions other than those described above, for potential candidates. If you have any question about your eligibility for undergoing cryolipolysis, you should consult your family doctor or other healthcare professional.  

Cryolipolysis and the scientific community

Cryolipolysis machines were developed with a view toward satisfying patient demand. This country is still in the throes of a national mania about healthcare and fitness, with many people seeking to adopt healthier lifestyles, and to get a fresh start on life by losing accumulated fat. Even though the big thrust with this machine and this process is commercial enterprise, there is some solid science behind it, and the scientific community at large has viewed the process quite favorably.

For instance, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has conducted extensive investigations into the procedure and found it to be a viable alternative to liposuction and other methods which are far more invasive. The NIH also concludes that this is a promising procedure that appears to be extremely effective for non-surgical body-contouring and fat reduction. No short-term issues are apparent, and few if any, side effects appeared in the vast majority of patients who have undergone the procedure. A study conducted by the NIH proved conclusively that cryolipolyisi is safe and effective at eliminating fat cells and contouring the body.

Another highly respected institution, the Harvard School of Medicine, conducted its own research into cryolipolysis and found that results are generally apparent within one month, with the maximum benefits appearing within three months. The impressive thing about this study was that it discovered measurable results from those patients participating, thereby living up to claims made by the developers. With this kind of backing from the scientific community, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that cryolipolysis is a safe and effective procedure that can accomplish all your objectives with fat reduction and body-shaping.