Cryolipolysis for noninvasive body contouring: clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction

Abstract

In recent years, a number of modalities have become available for the noninvasive reduction of adipose tissue, including cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, low-level laser, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. Each technology employs a different mechanism of action to cause apoptosis or necrosis of the targeted adipocytes. Among these technologies, cryolipolysis has not only been commercially available for the longest time, but has also been best researched including in vitro and animal models and randomized controlled clinical trials in humans. The principle behind cryolipolysis exploits the premise that adipocytes are more susceptible to cooling than other skin cells. The precise application of cold temperatures triggers apoptosis of the adipocytes, which invokes an inflammatory response and leads to slow digestion by surrounding macrophages. In clinical studies, cryolipolysis was shown to reduce subcutaneous fat at the treatment site by up to 25% after one treatment. Improvements were seen in 86% of treated subjects. At 73%, the patient satisfaction rate is higher than with other technologies used for noninvasive lipolysis. Cryolipolysis has been proven to be a very safe method for body contouring, and is accomplished with only minimal discomfort. Expected side effects are temporary erythema, bruising, and transient numbness that usually resolve within 14 days after treatment. With a prevalence of 0.1%, the most common complaint is late-onset pain, occurring 2 weeks post-procedure, which resolves without intervention. Although no procedure has been accepted as the gold standard for noninvasive body contouring as yet, cryolipolysis is considered to be both safe and efficient with a high patient satisfaction rate.

Review of the Mechanisms and Effects of Noninvasive Body Contouring Devices on Cellulite and Subcutaneous Fat

“…It has a major difference from other modalities such as ultrasound, radiofrequency, etc. (11). The principle of cryolipolysis is based on higher sensitivity of adipocytes to cold in comparison with other water-rich cells (39).…”

“…The treatment session usually takes one hour (5, 7). Despite the fact that there are not any considerable changes in body fat instantly after the treatment session, different studies proved the efficacy of the procedure on reducing subcutaneous adipose tissue over time (11). In a prospective human clinical study, Dover et al revealed a decrease in lateral flank and back fat following cryolipolysis.…”

“…The appearance of skin changes and it becomes like an “orange peel”. Cellulite is commonly found on the thighs and buttocks (8, 10, 11). Cellulite is more common in adult females than males.…”

“…As mentioned before, cellulite is defined by focused and topographic skin changes with an orange-peel look, yet subcutaneous fat is an indicator of peripheral fat mass, which could be evaluated by circumference and skin fold measurements and variation in these parameters could be considered as an indicator of cellulite changes. However, other cellulite indices such as skin elasticity and dermal thickness should be considered besides these measurements (11). …”

Non-contact radiofrequency-induced reduction of subcutaneous abdominal fat correlates with initial cardiovascular autonomic balance and fat tissue hormones: safety analysis

“…However, despite many individual – often only anecdotal – user reports, only a minority of methods is proven according to the evidence-based medicine standards. Such evidence is available for efficacy of chemical lipolysis, based on injection of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholic acid 9 , and for selected energy-based technologies using focused ultrasound 10 , cryolipolysis 11 and/or thermal/radiofrequency for lipolysis 12 . Despite the broad use in the practice, clinical safety data of these aesthetic procedures are scarce, with only a few publications available 13 .…”