Cryolipolysis

Medical cryolipolysis

It sculpts the body contour, in women and men alike, by reducing localised fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise ‘despite the best will in the world’…

=> Apply controlled cooling to a localised fatty area

Some frequently asked questions: (click on the +)

These may have been present since adolescence, or appeared later in life: after pregnancies, at the menopause, with reduced physical activity, …

On the abdomen, hips, ‘love handles’, arms, thighs, double chin, …

This is a medical technique that deeply cools a fat-rich area of the body using a dedicated medical device, thereby allowing the fat bulges in that area to be eliminated naturally.

It is, in a way, body sculpting, with the aim of significantly reducing fat deposits without surgery.

Principle: Certain cells in the human body, including fat cells (adipocytes), are more sensitive to cold than other cells. After prolonged exposure to the cold generated by the device, adipocytes undergo apoptosis (that is, programmed cell death). Over the following weeks, these adipocytes ‘killed by the cold’ are broken down by the body and disappear.

For it to be carried out safely, this treatment MUST be undertaken under medical supervision, to rule out any contraindications and to prevent and manage possible complications. It is not a trivial medical procedure, contrary to what some beauty salons would have you believe….

At your first consultation, Docteur Lionel Sallaz will advise whether, in your case, medical cryolipolysis is appropriate or whether surgical liposuction would be preferable. Indeed, some fat can be ‘more resistant to cold’ than others, denser than others, or more abundant, … and its treatment may therefore be more a matter for surgery than for cryolipolysis. This is why the doctor’s opinion is essential before starting any treatment.

It takes place at Docteur Lionel Sallaz’s practice, in a dedicated room where you are settled in comfortably, on your own, for about an hour.

Cryolipolysis does not require any anaesthesia, as it is usually only mildly painful.

An external applicator is placed on the area to be treated to encompass the identified fat bulge.

A slight suction sensation may be felt at the start, until the cold numbs the area being treated, after which the session proceeds comfortably.

At the end of the session, a specific massage of the treated area is performed for a few minutes with a suitable cream.

You can then leave the practice and immediately resume your usual activities (work, sport, …).

YES, this treatment has been medically validated and authorised by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the USA.

Its effectiveness has been demonstrated when performed in a medical practice (with high-quality, properly calibrated equipment, CE marking, …) by an experienced doctor, in order to minimise risks and to ensure the best possible outcome. Cryolipolysis devices authorised for use within doctors’ practices provide a very high level of patient safety and deliver powerful, stable cooling that supports high-quality results.

Low-cost devices sometimes used in various salons by non-medical personnel do not offer the level of safety and effectiveness you are entitled to expect.

It in no way replaces a healthy lifestyle, as weight loss after this treatment will be minimal. Nor is it a treatment for obesity.

This technique does not replace liposuction; in some cases cryolipolysis is effective, and in others liposuction is preferable.

Cryolipolysis is not a treatment for cellulite (orange-peel skin). To help reduce ‘this bane for many women’, we use other, more suitable medical techniques in the practice, notably radiofrequency.

The results are not immediately visible, because fat cells are eliminated gradually over several weeks. From weeks 4 to 6, results start to appear progressively.

Depending on the patient (and in fact on their ‘type’ of fat), between 20% and 40% of the treated fat deposit is eliminated. Therefore, if the result is deemed effective but insufficient, another session can be performed.

It appears that around 20% of patients do not respond to cryolipolysis.

Side effects are usually minimal. For example, localised redness (like a ‘love bite’), small bruises or swelling (oedema) may be observed in the treated area, which can sometimes be tender. These effects disappear naturally in the hours or days that follow. A feeling of numbness in the treated area may persist for a while.

It depends on the number of areas to be treated, the amount of fat, the location, …

At your first consultation, Docteur Lionel Sallaz will examine you and provide a detailed, personalised quotation. You will then have time to think it over calmly at home before deciding whether to start this treatment.

People speak of cryolipolysis but sometimes also of Coolscuplting (™), in reference to the first device from the Zeltiq™ brand, which conducted numerous studies on the reliability and safety of body contouring by cryolipolysis. Subsequently, other manufacturers developed other machines (Cryoslim™, …) to compete with this ‘brand’, but you should always insist on reputable brands with FDA clearance and CE marking, and avoid low-cost equipment.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, particularly from a nutritional point of view.

Exercise daily if possible (at least 30 minutes of walking) to avoid ‘re-forming fat bulges’ due to lack of activity.

Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and sugary foods, …

Medical cryolipolysis is therefore an alternative to surgical liposuction, but only in certain cases.

It has not replaced it, but the two medical techniques are more complementary.

The use of one or the other depends on many factors specific to each person.

At your first consultation, Docteur Lionel Sallaz, as a plastic surgeon, will provide his medical expertise and advise the treatment best suited to your individual case, as he performs both.