The venesection was painless to say the least, thank you for using local anaesthetics; highly recommended
What is Fat Freezing?
Imagine achieving your ideal body shape and living with total body confidence. Have you considered a cosmetic surgery procedure, like liposuction or liposculpture? Cryolipolysis, also known as fat freezing, offers an effective, non-surgical alternative to invasive liposuction without the associated risks of surgery.
Fat freezing can help to eliminate small pockets of stubborn fat and cellulite that won’t budge no matter how much you diet and exercise. Harley Street MD is proud to offer the latest cryolipolysis technology with shockwave therapy. This combination effectively destroys fat cells and removes pockets of localised fat with virtually no pain and downtime.
How Does Cryolipolysis Fat Freezing Work?
Cryolipolysis helps to sculpt, contour and shape targeted areas of your body by breaking down fat cells, which are then eliminated through the body’s natural excretion process. Research and development of fat freezing technology began in 2007 with its invention by Dr Dieter Manstein. In 2008, Dr Dieter Manstein and Dr Rox Anderson created a Coolsculpting machine. In a clinical study, they demonstrated the effects of localised skin cooling. The study showed that the treatment of subcutaneous fat with coolsculpting causes precise damage to fat cells and consequent loss of subcutaneous fat without causing harm to the outer layer of tissues and skin.
Numerous studies using ultrasound have since shown that cryolipolysis, at a temperature of −5°C, destroys fat cells and reduces the adipose fat layer without causing damage to the adjacent tissues. When fat cells are exposed to temperatures below -1°C, crystallisation (freezing) leads to irreversible damage. As a result, the fat cell walls break down and trigger a process known as apoptosis (programmed cell death). The dead fat cells and their fatty contents are then eliminated with waste products in urine over 12 weeks.
We use advanced 3d fat freezing in our London clinic technology to treat fat deposits, which consist of subcutaneous fat cells. These cells are more vulnerable to the effects of cold than other surrounding tissues. When tailored carefully, cryolipolysis treatment will reduce fat in the specific area treated, leaving you with a body shape that makes you feel confident.
What Is Shockwave Therapy Treatment?
At Harley Street MD in London, 3D acoustic shockwave therapy is incorporated with cryolipolysis treatment. This revolutionary combination therapy uses soundwave energy to reduce fat deposits and cellulite faster than cryolipolysis treatment alone. Furthermore, 3D shockwave therapy treatment is completely painless.
The device emits pulses of radial pressure waves (RPW) through the skin, which create vibrations to force the contents of fat cells to be released and into the adjacent lymphatic drainage system. As a result, blood flow to the skin is improved, and the appearance of cellulite is reduced. The combination of cryolipolysis and shockwave therapy treatments is far superior to fat freezing alone — with up to 40% of the fat cells eliminated in a single session.
Harley Street MD is proud to be one of the first clinics in London to offer this revolutionary new shockwave therapy treatment with fat freezing. By layering these different technologies in the same target area, they become a formidable alternative to invasive liposuction.
Best Body Areas for Fat Freezing and Shockwave Therapy Treatment
Remember that fat freezing isn’t meant to be a weight-loss tool or a treatment to help you shed unwanted pounds. If you want to lose weight and need a little support, we would recommend talking to us about treatment with clinically proven Saxenda weight loss injections.
Cryoloposis and shock wave therapy treatment target small pockets of fat to reduce fat deposits and are body contouring treatments. We can treat most body areas. The most popular areas we treat in our London clinic with cryolipolysis and shockwave therapy treatment are:
- Stomach
- Hips and waist (love handles)
- Knees
- Inner and outer thighs
- Back
- Upper arms
- Buttocks +
- Chest (man boobs)
- Chin.
Is Fat Freezing Safe?
The safety and efficiency of cryolipolysis was assessed in a paper published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Following a review of 19 studies, the paper found that cryolipolysis treatment only produced short-term, mild side effects. There were no reports of infections, hematomas, blistering, bleeding, hyperpigmentation, persistent ulcerations, or any other serious or long-term complications.
A single case report reported paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). With a 0.0051% frequency, PAH is an extremely rare adverse effect of cryolipolysis. There isn’t a single, all-encompassing risk component established, but it appears that men are more susceptible to developing this condition. Traditionally, liposuction is used to treat PAH.
Compared to liposuction, cryolipolysis is a safer, non-surgical alternative without the associated complications of surgery, anaesthesia, and downtime. Approved by the FDA and the EU, it has been extensively clinically studied and is widely considered very safe.
As with any aesthetic procedure, cryolipolysis does have some side effects that you should be aware of, including:
- Redness and swelling, which are likely to occur locally. These usually fade very quickly. You might experience discomfort for two to three days post-treatment
- Bruising may occur. Although this is rare, it can last for up to 10 days.
- Temporarily numbness may occur and generally lasts up to 10 days. However, in rare cases, it may last up to two months.
- The treated area can feel cold and firm for up to two weeks.
- Irregularities in skin contour may occur. This can usually be corrected with additional cryolipolysis treatment.
- Blistering and freeze burns are extremely rare and typically happen due to inexperienced aesthetic practitioners.
Harley Street MD Award-Winning Cryolipolysis Technology
The 3D cryo electrophoresis advanced cryolipolysis system we use in our London aesthetic clinic freezes fat and enables the incorporation of electrophoresis and shockwave therapy in actively reducing localised fat. With a duo-cryolipolysis function, we treat two separate areas simultaneously during one treatment.
The Fat Freezing Procedure with Duo Cryolipolysis Treatments
Cryolipolysis treatment consists of applying applicators to the target areas. They will generate a vacuum environment to bring the fatty area into the cooling plates. The suction and freezing temperatures used by the machine numb the site, so you will feel something, but it should not be painful. Two areas can now be treated at the same time thanks to the new duo cryolipolysis feature.
Feel free to bring a book or something to work on, as the treatment takes around an hour. Typically, between two and five cryolipolysis treatments are required to achieve the desired fat loss. This will depend on the density of the fat deposits, the size of the target area, and individual responses to the treatment. A bespoke cryolipolysis treatment plan will be discussed at your initial consultation to help you achieve your desired body shape.
How Long Until I See Cryolipolysis Treatment Results?
You may be trying to slim down for a special event or want to get your body beach-ready in time for your next holiday. Whatever the reason, you should allow sufficient time to achieve your goal.
Cryolipolysis treatment requires your body to naturally eliminate the fat cells through your urine, which does not happen overnight. The body needs time to excrete all of the destroyed fat cells, and their contents and results are typically visible after two to three months.
What Does Cryolipolysis Cost?
Cryolipolysis treatment costs will vary. Harley Street MD is a doctor-led CQC registered clinic with the highest levels of patient care and safety — we are confident our prices reflect this. Our 3D advanced cryolipolysis with shockwave therapy starts from £450 for a single session in our London clinic. During a single session, you can have two separate areas treated — making the cost for each area just £225.
DISCLAIMER: Cryolipolysis is scientifically proven to eliminate fat cells permanently, but it cannot prevent other fat cells from forming and expanding in areas that have not been treated. Individual results may vary.
