What does cryolipolysis consist of?
The principle: suck a fatty bead in a kind of cooling cup then expose it to intense cold. “The adipocytes (fat cells) are subjected to a negative temperature, explains Dr Julien Carré, aesthetic doctor.
Vulnerable to cold, much more than the adjacent tissues (skin, blood vessels, etc.), 20 to 40% of them are permanently eliminated by the process of apoptosis (natural cell death). ”
These cells are then destroyed by macrophages, which are responsible for removing any other dead cells in the body.
The results : cell membranes remain intact, i.e. their content (fatty acids) is not released into the body, and circulating cholesterol or triglyceride levels are not affected. It takes 2 to 3 months for the damaged cells to be eliminated by the body and for results to appear. One session is usually sufficient, but two may be necessary in some cases.
How long does a session last?
On average, between 50 and 70 minutes depending on the device. New this year: Zeltiq, the pioneer of cryolipolysis, innovates with sessions shortened to 35 minutes, thanks to the process Cool-Advantage, which drops to – 11 ° C instead of the classic – 10 ° C. The applicators can also treat a larger area: 122 cm2 instead of 110 cm2.
Who is cryolipolysis for?
“The perfect candidate, explains Dr Julien Carré, is a thin person but with very localized stubborn areas, for example saddlebags of genetic origin or a stomach resistant to diets and physical exercise. ”
It is possible to treat a double chin, love handles, back folds (at the level of the bra), the gluteal fold … But you need a minimum of fat for the treatment to be effective.
“For the bead to be sucked in, the fat must measure about 40 millimeters, which is evaluated with an adipometer clamp” , specifies Dr Béatrice Lafarge-Claoué, aesthetic doctor.
And beware of unreasonable cravings! “There is no question of wanting to eradicate all the belly fat, continues the specialist. This is not inert and secretes female hormones, in particular estrogen which, among other things, play an important role in the radiance of the skin. ”
How to choose the right center?
This innovative treatment is practiced in aesthetic medicine practices, but it also appeals to beauty institutes, which see it as a financial windfall. There are offers for cryolipolysis sessions also called, wrongly, “cryoesthetic” or “cryotherapy”, at unbeatable prices: from € 69 per session, instead of the approximately € 600 practiced by medical practices.
“Caution, warns Dr. Boisaubert, aesthetic doctor. In the worst case, a poorly controlled device can cause cold burns to the skin. At best, it doesn’t work. ”
If you come across such an offer, call the center and ask for the qualifications of the person providing the treatment. A beautician ? Forget … A preliminary examination by a doctor is essential: he will examine the elasticity of the skin, the thickness of the adipose panniculus (subcutaneous tissue where fat accumulates), determine whether the treatment will be effective or not …
“The medical consultation also makes it possible to verify the absence of vascular or anatomical metabolic contraindications”, continues Dr Boisaubert. And the effective devices (Coolsculpting, LipoContrast, CoolTech …) being (very) expensive, they are rarely within the reach of simple institutes.
Are there any side effects?
Almost none, and that’s what makes the technique so successful! The inconvenience is limited to redness after the session, possibly edema for a few days, and a decrease in sensitivity in the treated area for one or two weeks.
Contraindications : they are limited: cryoglobulinemia (cryoglobulins in the blood), cold urticaria or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia), Raynaud’s disease, hernia, pregnancy and lactation, wearing of an electronic device, eczema, injury or inflammation of the treated area.
Some bulges are more difficult to treat. ” The inside of the arms, thighs and knees deserve a case-by-case examination, explains Dr Boisaubert, because, just under the skin, are vital circuits. The size of the applicator and its location must be determined with precision to avoid any vascular or neurological complications. ” But cryolipolysis does not replace a diet: in case of overweight, dietary and sports measures remain in place!
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Cryotherapy is different Be careful not to confuse. Cryotherapy involves exposing the whole body to extreme cold (between – 120 and – 140 ° C) for 1 to 3 minutes. The benefits: elimination of fatigue, improvement of blood circulation and muscle recovery, reduction of edema and joint pain. But it does not act on fatty overloads. |
Where can I find a cosmetic doctor?
You will find a directory on the website of the French Association for morpho-aesthetic and anti-aging medicine: www.afme.org.
Our experts:
Dr. Julien square, aesthetic doctor.
Dr Béatrice Lafarge-Claoué, aesthetic doctor, director of the Alphand clinic (Paris)
Dr Thierry Boisaubert, aesthetic doctor.
For further
Our dossier on aesthetic medicine
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