Turn cool to turn hot! Not an antithesis but an actual body contouring treatment that helps in toning your body and getting rid of unwanted fat. Plastic surgery offers you the options like liposuction, which is a surgical process involving anaesthesia and downtime. But if you are up for non-invasive options, Dr Rickson Pereira, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Trichologist, Venereologist and Dermatosurgeon at Dermatherapie Centre, Mumbai, has a few for you.

• Cryolipolysis
• Radiofrequency 
• High Intensity Electromagnetic stimulation 
• Ultrasound and High Intensity Focused Ultrasound 
• Lasers 

Let’s look at how cryolipolysis works.

Freeze'em up!

Cryolipolysis is known by its patented name CoolSculpting. A non-invasive treatment, it involves controlled freezing of certain parts of your body to cool the fatty tissues. This cooling process turns the fatty tissues to crystals. The body is then able to decompose these fat cells naturally, before finally draining them off altogether. 

Dr Pereira states, “Cryolipolysis is a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that uses cold temperature to reduce fat deposits in certain areas of the body. The procedure is designed to reduce localised fat deposits or bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise.”

“The technique is based on the finding that fat cells are more susceptible to damage from cold temperatures than other cells, such as skin cells. The cold temperature injures the fat cells and triggers apoptosis. The injury triggers an inflammatory response by the body in which macrophages clear the dead fat cells and debris from the body.”

Generally, this treatment is recommended to target fat deposits in the abdomen, upper arms, chin, breast, buttocks, etc. It is ideal for people who are trying to lose fatty bulges from these areas with diet and exercise, and failing at it. As a body contouring technology, cryolipolysis is safe as long as it is handled by a certified expert such as a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. 

In spite of being a trendy treatment for fat reduction, cryolipolysis is not recommended for obese people. It works better on those who have mild fat deposits - soft and pinchable fat under the skin. You should undergo a thorough consultation with your doctor regarding this, and make them aware of any issues you might have with regards to cold temperatures. If you are on blood thinning medication, it is best to avoid cryolipolysis. 

Goodbye fat?

Speaking about the results, Dr Pereira states, “Studies have shown an average fat reduction of between 15 and 28 per cent at around 4 months after initial treatment. After treatment one may notice changes as early as 3 weeks after treatment. Dramatic improvement is noticed after about 2 months. The results are long lasting.” 

He added that he has received encouraging responses from his patients for cryolipolysis. “Patient selection is very important. Patients with an active lifestyle, on an exercise and diet plan and with BMI less than 30 tend to have good and sustained results. Individual results vary,” he adds.  

Any side effects?

Dr Pereira lists the temporary side effects for the areas that are treated:

• Soreness, pain and swelling post treatment: Usually the soreness and pain is bearable 
• Redness 
• Skin discolouration or bruising
• Skin sensitivity or numbness

These side effects may persist from a few days to up to 2 to 3 weeks after the treatment. 

Dr Pereira points out the reason for poor treatment outcomes: “It is mainly due to poor patient selection or wrong assessment and applicator placement. Sometimes the treatment results may appear uneven. Treatment should only be performed by a trained doctor and not staff.” 

According to him, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, a rare condition in which fat in the treated area increases instead of reducing, can also occur.

Combined efforts

Most body contouring treatments work best when used in combination with each other. Cryolipolysis is no exception. Dr Pereira explains, “I combine cryolipolysis with High-Intensity Electromagnetic Technology (HIEMS) and radiofrequency. I feel combining treatments has a more synergistic effect and hence larger quantities of fat may be eliminated. Radiofrequency also improves mild to moderate skin laxity. HIEMS also improves muscle mass and tone.”

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