Stubborn areas of fat that just won’t shift, no matter how carefully you eat or how much exercise you do, are a common concern. At one time, the only solution was an invasive and risky surgical procedure that required significant recovery time. However, there are now safer modern alternatives, including fat freezing and fat dissolving treatments.
Here’s a look at the non surgical fat reduction options available at our Birmingham clinic, and how to decide which one is most suitable for you.
Fat freezing treatments
Fat freezing, known as Cryolipolysis, is a nonsurgical treatment that uses special equipment to freeze the fat cells, which are then naturally discharged through lymphatic drainage. The precise technology chills the targeted area to subzero temperatures, causing the unwanted fat cells to die but leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact.
This treatment can be used to address stubborn fat deposits on the hips, upper arms, chin, stomach, inner and outer thighs, upper back, lower back, and underneath the buttocks. The procedure will reduce rather than completely remove the fat, with an average of 20 per cent reduction noticeable two to four months after the treatment.
It’s possible to treat more than one area at once, and you can have multiple treatments until you see the results that you want. It’s recommended to wait at least 12 weeks between each session, because this is how long the results need to take full effect. The procedure will typically take around 45 minutes, with minimal downtime.
What are the risks of fat freezing?
It’s common to experience a few side effects, including a stinging or tingling of the skin; redness; swelling; bruising; and numbness. Less common side effects include an uneven skin surface after healing, and paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the fat cells increase in size. Fat may also be deposited in other areas of the body.
Who is not suitable for fat freezing?
Cryolipolysis is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding; people with nerve disorders; various skin conditions such as eczema or damaged skin in the relevant areas; and certain medical conditions that cause abnormalities with cold tolerance, such as Raynaud’s Disease.
It’s essential to have a consultation with a qualified practitioner before the treatment, to assess if you are a suitable candidate. It should be noted that fat freezing should not be used as a weight loss method, and obese or overweight candidates will be advised to try to lose weight through diet and exercise first.
Fat freezing is most suitable for people of normal weight or slightly overweight, who want to remove stubborn fat deposits from larger areas.
Fat dissolving
Fat dissolving treatments, also known as mesotherapy, are delivered by using tiny microneedle injections of a lipolytic cocktail into the area of concern. The substance breaks down fat cells in localised areas, and the waste is flushed out of the body as you pass water.
The results will take between two to four weeks to become apparent, and it may be necessary to have up to six sessions to achieve the look you want. The treatment is used to address stubborn fat deposits under the chin, on the back, under the upper arms (bingo wings) around the waist and stomach (muffin top) and around the knees, buttocks, and thighs.
What are the risks and side effects?
The most common side effects are swelling, redness, and bruising in the treated area. This will usually settle down within seven to ten days.
Who is suitable for fat dissolving?
The treatment is recommended for people of normal weight or slightly over, and is not intended to be used as a shortcut to weight loss for overweight or obese people. Therefore if you have any concerns, it’s best to consult a medical professional prior to treatment.
Fat dissolving Vs. Fat freezing
Ultimately, the most suitable treatment will depend on your personal goals and preferences. Fat freezing is ideal for treating larger areas and contouring the body, and is completely non invasive, so if you dislike needles, it may be the best option for you.
Fat dissolving involves injections or microneedling, so consider if this is tolerable to you. It works best for precisely targeted areas such as under the chin, rather than overall body contouring. In either case, it’s important that your weight is stable and you are not clinically obese.
