You can be active, maintain a stable weight and still find that certain areas of fat are difficult to change. This is because we cannot choose where our bodies store or lose fat. Genetics, hormones, age and natural differences in fat distribution all play a part, which is why areas such as the lower abdomen, flanks and thighs may remain relatively unchanged even when overall body weight reduces.
Fat freezing, also known as cryolipolysis, is designed to target these localised areas using controlled cooling. Unlike weight loss, which affects fat throughout the body, the aim is to reduce a specific layer of subcutaneous fat and gradually improve the contour of an area.
At The Medispa, we use CRISTAL Pro® Fat Freezing, a medical cryolipolysis system that allows individual areas to be treated according to their size, shape and fat distribution.
It is important, however, to establish whether fat is actually responsible for the concern. A fuller-looking abdomen, for example, may involve subcutaneous fat, skin laxity, muscle tone or a combination of factors. In this guide, we look at what fat freezing actually changes, who it is most suitable for and what you can realistically expect from treatment.
What Is Fat Freezing and How Does It Work?
Fat freezing is a non-invasive body contouring treatment based on the principle that fat cells are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than many of the surrounding tissues.
During treatment with CRISTAL Pro®, an applicator is positioned over the selected area and controlled cooling is delivered to the underlying fat. Depending on the area and applicator being used, the tissue may be drawn into position first. You may initially notice cold, pressure or pulling, although the area generally becomes numb as treatment progresses.
The important changes happen afterwards. Fat cells affected by the cooling process undergo controlled cell death and are gradually cleared by the body over the following weeks. This reduces the thickness of the treated fat layer without incisions or surgical fat removal.
The process is different from conventional weight loss. When you lose weight, your existing fat cells generally become smaller. Cryolipolysis destroys a proportion of the fat cells within a specific treated area.
Because the body needs time to clear these cells, the result develops gradually rather than immediately.
Is Fat Freezing Good for Losing Weight?
Fat freezing is a body contouring treatment, not a weight-loss treatment. It is best suited to localised pockets of fat, such as the lower abdomen, flanks or thighs, in people who are already relatively close to their preferred weight.
The aim is to improve shape and proportion rather than reduce overall body weight. Maintaining a stable weight afterwards can also help preserve the result.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Freezing?
The patients most likely to benefit tend to have a defined, pinchable area of subcutaneous fat that can be effectively targeted by the CRISTAL Pro® applicator.
Skin quality also matters. Two patients may both be concerned about their abdomen, for example, but one may have a distinct pocket of fat beneath relatively firm skin while the other has less excess fat but greater skin laxity following pregnancy or weight loss.
In the first case, fat freezing may be a good fit. In the second, reducing fat may do relatively little to address what the patient is actually seeing.
This is why a consultation involves looking at the tissue itself rather than simply deciding whether a particular body area can technically be treated.
Which Areas Can Fat Freezing Treat, and Does It Tighten Skin?
CRISTAL Pro® uses different applicators to target localised fat across areas such as the abdomen, flanks and thighs, with multiple areas treated during the same session where appropriate.
Fat freezing does not, however, directly tighten loose skin. This distinction is particularly relevant around the abdomen, upper arms and thighs, where reduced skin firmness can contribute to the appearance of an area alongside excess fat.
Where both concerns are present, BTL Exilis Ultra 360 may be considered alongside fat freezing to improve skin firmness and overall contour. In other cases, laxity may be the dominant concern, making a skin-focused treatment more appropriate.
How Much Fat Can You Realistically Lose With Fat Freezing?
Fat freezing should not be viewed as a non-surgical equivalent to extensive liposuction. The change is generally more subtle and focused on the contour of a particular area.
In practice, this may mean a resistant bulge becoming less prominent, clothing sitting differently or an area appearing smoother and better proportioned.
How noticeable that change is depends partly on your starting point. A relatively modest reduction can make a visible difference to a small, clearly defined pocket of fat. Where there is a larger volume of fat or several factors affecting body shape, the change may be less pronounced.
For this reason, we tend to assess progress by looking at the treated area itself rather than concentrating solely on body weight.
Can Fat Freezing Be Combined With Other Body Contouring Treatments?
It can, particularly when more than one factor is affecting body shape.
For example, CRISTAL Pro® can target a resistant fat deposit while BTL Exilis Ultra 360 may be used where skin firmness also needs improvement.
The Medispa also offers Emerald Laser, another non-invasive body contouring technology that works differently from cryolipolysis. Which approach is most appropriate depends on the type and distribution of fat, the surrounding tissue and the result being sought.
Body Ballancer may be useful where lymphatic drainage and fluid retention are relevant. This addresses a different issue again, as fluid retention should not be mistaken for excess fat.
These treatments do not need to be combined simply because they are available. The purpose of combining technologies is to address different components of a concern when doing so is likely to improve the overall result.
How Do I Know Whether Fat Freezing Is Right for Me?
At The Medispa, we assess the amount and distribution of fat, the condition of the surrounding skin and the result you are hoping to achieve before recommending treatment.
Sometimes CRISTAL Pro® is the most appropriate option. In other cases, another body contouring technology or a staged combination may make more sense.
This assessment is particularly useful when it is difficult to tell whether the concern is coming from fat, loose skin or another factor. Choosing the right treatment starts with identifying what actually needs to change.
Fat Freezing FAQs
Can I exercise after fat freezing?
As there is no planned recovery period with CRISTAL Pro®, most people can return to their normal routine after treatment. If the area feels tender or sensitive, you may prefer to adjust strenuous exercise temporarily and follow the aftercare advice given by your practitioner.
Do I need to follow a special diet after fat freezing?
No special diet is required following fat freezing. A balanced lifestyle and stable weight can help maintain your body contour over time.
Can fat freezing treat visceral fat?
No. Fat freezing targets accessible subcutaneous fat, which sits beneath the skin. It cannot treat visceral fat located deeper within the abdomen around the internal organs.
Can fat freezing improve cellulite?
Fat freezing is not primarily a cellulite treatment. Cellulite involves the interaction between fat, connective tissue and the skin, so reducing the underlying fat layer does not necessarily remove dimpling.
Is there a best time of year to have fat freezing?
Treatment can be performed throughout the year for suitable patients. If you are planning around a holiday, wedding or another event, it is worth allowing sufficient time for the gradual treatment response to develop.
Book a Fat Freezing Consultation at The Medispa
If you are considering fat freezing, book a consultation to establish whether CRISTAL Pro® is appropriate for the area you would like to treat and what level of change is realistic.
CRISTAL Pro® Fat Freezing and our device-led body contouring treatments are available at The Medispa in Telford and Shrewsbury. Our Wolverhampton, Walsall and Solihull clinics offer injectable treatments only.
We can assess your fat distribution, skin quality and overall body contour before recommending whether fat freezing alone or another approach is likely to give you the most appropriate result.
