What areas of the skin can be treated?

Fat Freezing is an effective treatment for reducing areas of fat which are at least 2-3cm in diameter, from areas such as the stomach, thighs, hips, chin, or back.

Fat freezing has been clinically proven as an effective way to remove fat cells. It was discovered by scientists in the U.S., who recognised that children who ate a lot of ice lollies had very thin faces. By studying this phenomenon, they recognised the link between the effect of freezing fat cells within the skin.

If you are looking to remove significant amounts of fat, then fat freezing may not be best option for you, and you may instead benefit from a tummy tuck or liposuction which are surgical procedures.

Of note, fat freezing freezes the fat cells to remove them from the body. Cavitation uses heat to ‘melt’ fat cells through the energy produced by the cavitation process. It is an equally effective procedure for fat reduction, but generally more sessions are required. We offer both methods here at the clinic but would normally recommend cavitation for areas which are difficult for the fat freezing handpieces to adhere to, like back or bra fat.

Fat freezing is not generally effective on cellulite, on its own, as the skin also needs to be toned and smoothed. For this reason, we would recommend Endoshape body toning for treating cellulite. The Endoshape system uses a combination of cavitation, radiofrequency, and lymphatic drainage.

Will I need a consultation for fat reduction treatment with cryolipolysis?

Before you embark on any fat freezing treatment, you will need a consultation to ensure you are suitable for treatment and to understand your treatment goals and expectations.

Your therapist will explain how the treatment works, assess the areas you are looking to have treated, and discuss your anticipated results.

Most people are suitable for fat freezing, provided you do not have any underlying health conditions including circulatory disorders. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle including keeping well hydrated during and after fat freezing treatment to ensure the best results.

If your diet contains food which is high in fat and your calorie intake is higher than the recommended amount for your body type, then your body will make new fat cells, so it is important to ensure that your diet and lifestyle is appropriate before embarking on fat freezing treatment.

What can I expect during treatment?

On the day of your fat freezing treatment, your therapist will take starting measurements of the areas being treated. She will then mark the agreed areas where the fat freezing handpieces will be applied.

The Cryoliposculpt system has two handpieces meaning that we can generally freeze more fat than with most single handpiece systems.

A gel sheet is applied to the area which protects the skin during the process and the handpieces are activated. The handpieces gently suck in the areas being treated using vacuum suction. Once the areas are held within the handpieces the freezing process starts.

After treatment the handpieces are removed, and the areas are gently massaged by the therapist.

How long does fat freezing take?

Each treatment session lasts 50 minutes.

How many treatment sessions are recommended?

The number of fat freezing sessions needed depends on the amount of fat you are looking to remove. Each session of fat freezing destroys around 33% of the fat cells in the treated area.

We would usually recommend a course of 3 sessions to ensure most of fat cells are affected during your treatment with treatment sessions spaced 4 weeks apart for the best results.

Does fat freezing hurt?

The process of sucking in the area being treated into the handpiece using vacuum suction can feel like a strange sensation but is not painful. Treatment will feel cold initially, but the area will be naturally numbed quickly.

Is there downtime after fat freezing?

You can go about your normal daily activities following treatment but you may prefer to rest for the remainder of the day.

What are the possible side effects from fat freezing treatment?

Side effects from fat freezing are minimal and temporary and can include numbness or swelling in the treated area, redness or bruising because of the suction, and tingling as the skin warms up again.

​Less common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

More serious side effects include ice burns or frostbite because of the freezing process. The risk of this is minimised by using gel sheets which protect the area from the cold.

When will I see results?

After your treatment the fat cells begin to break down, a process called apoptosis. This process happens over a period of 1-3 months after your first treatment, so it is important to be patient and wait for the process to happen.

It is possible to lose a lot of fat with fat freezing, if you opt for multiple treatments. Most of our clients will lose 2-3 inches of fat with a treatment course.

Our Cryoliposculpt fat freezing system contains a microcurrent meaning that it tones the skin as it freezes to ensure that you are not left with loose skin following your fat freezing treatment.

How long does a fat reduction treatment last?

Patient experience and results may vary and are dependent on several factors including lifestyle, age, and medical history, but should be long-lasting for several years. It is important to respect a healthy diet after fat freezing treatment.