Is fat freezing treatment really safe? 

Fat freezing is still a relatively new aesthetic treatment, having only been around for 12 years. Fat freezing started in the United States and was first FDA approved in 2010. After this initial date the popularity of the treatment quickly spread across the USA and then the world. Today there are many different beauty and fat loss clinics around that offer fat freezing as a treatment as a safe and non-invasive alternative to liposuction and other fat reduction surgery.

Fat freezing is a highly effective treatment that reduces fat deposits in specific areas on the body.Common areas of treatment include the inner and outer thighs, the flanks, abdomen, calves and under arms. With a special applicator the chin can also be treated, as well as the chest of men.

Fat freezing can also be referred to as ‘cryolipolysis’. Those who have the treatment can see up to 40% of permanent fat loss in the treated area after a single treatment. However, if a client gains weight then the results will be less, or undone completely.  

To many it sounds too good to be true, and as with most cosmetic treatments there are health risks to consider.

Fat freezing basics

Depending on the clinician and the equipment used, the freezing temperature ranges from -1 to -10 degrees Celsius.

Fat cells are more susceptible to freezing temperatures as other cells, such as nerve, skin and blood cells. By freezing an area only fat cells are damaged. Damaged cell deaths undergo cell death and break down, before being removed from our bodies through the lymphatic system.

The safety of fat freezing

Fat freezing has been researched significantly and is considered a relatively safe procedure, especially in comparison to liposuction and other fat loss treatments. However, certain health conditions can increase risk of negative effects. If a person is more sensitive to the treatment, for example due to Raynaud’s disease, cold urticaria or hypoproteinemia.

There is one condition that could occur as a result of fat freezing treatment. This condition is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. Previous research shows the likeliness of this condition to be somewhere between 1 in 4,000 and 1 in 20,000. Many have called for more research to be done as further clarity on paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is required.

Will fat freezing work

Fat freezing is a highly effective treatment and will permanently reduce fat deposits in the body. Results differ for everyone, and what you do following the treatment will influence the results you see. Healthy living, massaging of the area and drinking plenty of water will allow for results to show faster, and will improve results altogether.