Cryolipolysis

Resting on the application of controlled cold to the surface of the skin, cryolipolysis aims to act selectively on the fat cells located beneath the skin, these being more sensitive to cold than the neighbouring tissues; the mechanism sought is a gradual elimination, by the body, of the cells concerned. It is a non-surgical technique, which involves neither injection nor incision, and which is not a substitute for the management of excess weight, nor for a suitable lifestyle, nor for surgery.

The course of the session, which depends on the area and on the situation particular to each person, is specified in consultation. After marking out, an applicator is positioned in contact with the region to be treated, the set-up varying according to the area. Each patient may feel, during the session, sensations of marked cold, of tightness, of pinching or of numbness, the intensity of which differs from one person to another; a massage of the area may be carried out when the applicator is removed. I favour a measured approach: the number of sessions and any pacing are not standardised, but discussed on a case-by-case basis.

This procedure is intended for localised fat deposits, clearly delimited, persisting despite regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Whether an area is accessible depends on the morphology and on the shape of the deposit, and certain situations do not come under this technique. My aim is not weight loss, which cryolipolysis does not seek, nor the treatment of skin laxity, which it is not intended to address; the effects, which vary from one patient to another, cannot be predicted in advance.

After-effects may occur in the hours and the days following the session, such as redness, swelling, tenderness to the touch, numbness or a change in the sensitivity of the area, the intensity and duration of which vary from person to person; other possible effects are set out during the preliminary discussion. The prior consultation is mandatory, as it allows the area to be examined, contraindications to be looked for, an appraisal to be made of whether the procedure is indicated, which it may not be, and each patient to be informed of the possible after-effects before any decision.