We are born with a finite number of fat cells which increase in size to store fat globules with weight gain. Cryolipolysis is a treatment for permanent elimination of fat. By placing vacuum applicators onto pockets of fat, tissue is selectively frozen down to -8 degrees. At this temperature fat cells may be destroyed, and subsequently excreted by the body over a period of 6-12 weeks.
As tissue is not penetrated or broken during cryolipolysis, patients often able to return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Although useful for targeting pockets of fat, cryolipolysis should not (and cannot) be used as a treatment for obesity. Instead it is suitable for use alongside exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
OVERVIEW
Cryolipolysis | Non-Invasive Fat Reduction | Permanent Fat Reduction
+ Am I suitable?
FAT FREEZING (CRYO) FAQs
- age < 18 years
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- systemic inflammation or illness including hepatic dysfunction, metabolic disorders, diabetes and/or hepatitis
- concurrent use of blood-thinning agents aspirin, clopidogrel (plavix), warfarin, heparin etc
- tissue composition not suited to fat cryolipolysis
- conditions that cause sensitivity to cold e.g. paroxysmalcold haemoglobuinuria, cyroglobulinaemia, cold urticaria, reynaud's disease
- previous trauma or surgery to the area including in cases of excessive scar tissue formation
- pre-existing or suspected hernia in the area of treatment
- underlying neuropathy or neuropathic disorder
- disorders of lymphatic insufficiency
- conditions of vascular insufficiency e.g. peripheral vascular disease
- clotting and/or bleeding disorders
- active, or history of underlying skin condition at the site e.g. psoriasis, eczema, infection, open lesions
- implanted medical devices e.g. shunts, pacemaker, defibrillator
- smoking and/or recent alcohol intake
+ What are the risks and expected side effects?
- Redness, bruising, swelling and pain in the treatment area is expected and may persist for multiple weeks to be replaced by itchiness, sensitivity and/or numbness. Generally the latter-mentioned symptoms will resolve within a matter of weeks-months
- Following resolution of swelling hardening and lumpiness at the treatment site may occur. This can take over a month to resolve
- During and after treatment of fat under the chin, a feeling of fullness in the throat may be experienced. This may create the sensation of difficulty swallowing
Less commonly the following adverse effects may occur:
- Intense muscle cramping/spasm or shooting pain lasting 1-2 weeks, may be managed with simple analgesia and/or compression garments
- Vasovagal (fainting symptoms) following removal of applicators - mostly due to redistribution of blood flow that occurs with warming of frozen tissue
- Hyperpigmentation - often resolves spontaneously
- Hernia - may occur as a result of treatment due to intense suction applied by the vacuum. A thorough assessment of underlying hernia risk will occur during consideration of your suitability for treatment
- Paradoxical hyperplasia - may develop 2-5 months after treatment and results in rebound exacerbation of fat tissue
- Delayed nerve pain has been associated with cryolipolysis treatments. Most often transient, this can be managed with medication targeted towards the treatment of nerve pain
- Poor results - can include assymmetry, poor response to treatment and/or demarcation of tissue
+ How many treatments will I need?
Complete resolution of fat is often not achievable, however improvement may be possible. Studies have shown an average reduction of between 20-30% of the fat layer per application.
+ What should I do prior to treatment?
- Ideally avoid use of blood-thinning medication (in accordance with medical advice) for 2 weeks prior to treatment
- Avoid alcohol consumption and/or recreational drug use at least 48 hours prior to treatment
- Commence an exercise and dietary program conducive to optimal weight management
- Consider cessation of smoking
+ What happens during treatment?
During treatment you will discuss the risks and side effects of treatment with your artisan; prior to being provided the opportunity to ask questions and sign a consent form. Photos will be attended, and the treatment area(s) identified. Your weight and measurements including skin fold will be taken and the areas prepared for treatment.
The location of the area of concern will be confirmed with you prior to proceeding.
You will be positioned on our treatment bed and gel pads will be applied to the treatment site(s). Applicators are applied and you will experience the sensation of the vacuum, coupled with cooling. Approximately 5 minutes into treatment the area will go numb. You will remain on the machine between 45-70 minutes depending on the treatment, during which you will be offered our ipad to watch subscription streaming. Throughout the procedure your artisan will continue to enquire as to your comfort. Refreshments are available if required.
Once the cycle(s) is complete, 2 minutes of massage is attended which can become temporarily uncomfortable as tissue defrosts.
+ Is it painful?
Cryolipolysis is associated with some discomfort experience for most patients. Depending on the individual and the area treated, intense pain may be experienced following removal of applicators and attendance of massage. This experience is generally only temporary, often lasting less than 5 minutes and does not occur with every patient. Following treatment, the area(s) may feel swollen, bruised and tender. Simple analgesia may be self-administered (e.g. paracetamol) as advised by your artisan.
+ Aftercare
- Sleep with the area elevated as possible
- Avoid direct sun exposure of the area and wear spf 30+ daily
- Avoid use of physical exfoliants or active skin care at the area for at least 72 hours
- Avoid intense exercise/activity for at least 48 hours post treatment, as well as excessively hot showers + saunas which may exacerbate swelling and bruising. After this time regular, gentle activity and massage is encouraged to facilitate lymphatic drainage
- Avoid long distance travel and wearing tight/uncomfortable clothing that may impede lymphatic drainage
- Simple analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen) may be used for discomfort and swelling in conjunction with physician advice
- In the weeks following treatment a low sugar, low salt diet accompanied by good intake of water is encouraged to avoid fluid retention
- Hirudoid cream, arnica (topical or oral) and bromelain may be additionally used post treatment to expedite recovery
EVOLVE X - TRANSFORM
(EMS & RF) OVERVIEW
The Evolve X by Inmode is a multi-delivery platform intended for non-invasive muscle toning and fat reduction. At Aescend we are able to currently offer 'Transform' - a hands-free solution that may improve the strength of muscles, treat fat and improve the appearance of skin by combining two procedures in one applicator.
Able to be applied to a combination of treatment areas, Transform uses radio-frequency (RF) for deep heating of tissue and fat, along with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to induce forced muscle contractions. The potential result is stronger, more toned muscles and tighter skin.
+ EMS + RF COMBINATION TREATMENTS MAY BE EFFECTIVE for:
EVOLVE X - TRANSFORM (EMS & RF) FAQS
- Body toning and permanent, targeted fat reduction
- For use on arms, buttocks, abdomen, chest, thighs, calves, lower and upper back, shoulders
- Improved appearance of cellulite
- Improved skin laxity
- Preventing or minimising muscle wasting
- Maintaining or increasing range of motion
- Muscle re-education
- Relaxation of muscle spasm
- Increasing local blood flow
- For use as a TENS device and treatment of chronic/acute pain
- Abdominal separation
+ AM I SUITABLE?
- age < 18 years
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- hypersensitivity to any cleaning reagents or products used during the course of treatment
- permanent implants, screws, piercings and plates at, or adjacent to the treatment site
- implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, nerve stimulators anywhere in the body
- history of keloid (raised) scarring, abnormal wound healing and/or very fragile/dry skin at the treatment site(s)
- concurrent or previous infection, active skin condition, skin cancer or sunburn at the site
- susceptibility to infection based on medication, history or underlying medical condition(s) e.g. diabetes, AIDS/HIV, immunosuppression, thyroid dysfunction
- concurrent use of blood thinning medication and/or history of coagulation disorder
- concurrent treatment with systemic steroids
- concurrent systemic illnesses and/or conditions e.g. cardiac disorders, epilepsy, hypertension, liver and kidney diseases
- recent cosmetic intervention or beauty treatment at the proposed site (laser, RF etc in the last 3 months; filler, collagen and/or fat injections in the last 6 months)
- use of isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in last 6 months
- history of diseases triggered by heat e.g. recurrent herpes simplex in the area
- excessive smoking and/or alcohol use
- excessive body hair at the treatment site
- major or minor surgical procedures in the last 3 months
+ What are the risks and expected side effects?
- Some redness, heat and swelling is common, though is expected to resolve soon after treatment
Complication is rare with Transform, though it is possible that the following adverse effects may occur:
- Pain
- Excessive redness (erythema)
- Swelling (oedema)
- Muscle spasm
- Infection
- Skin irritation and/or burns/blisters
- Pigmentation changes
- Scarring
- Failure to achieve the desired result
- Allergic reaction to products used during treatment
+ How many treatments will I need?
+ What should I do prior to treatment?
- Jewellery should not be worn during treatment, we recommend leaving any valuable items at home and taking piercings out of areas to be treated
- Discontinue any irritant topical agents/active skin care in the area 2-3 days prior to treatment and if medically permitted
- Avoid sun exposure on the areas to be treated - we cannot treat over sunburn
- PLEASE SHAVE ANY LONG OR DENSE HAIR IN THE TREATMENT AREAS 1-2 days prior to treatment
- Avoid alcohol consumption 48 hours either side of treatment
- Consider cessation of smoking
- In consultation with your doctor, consider ceasing any blood-thinning medication including fish oil and anti-inflammatories at least 2 weeks prior to treatment
- If you have a history of cold sores or heat triggered skin conditions, preventive medication is often recommended and is essential in cases of frequent or severe outbreaks
- If you have any active wounds, infections or outbreaks please delay treatment until healed
+ What happens during treatment?
The area(s) will be prepared for treatment, cleansed and a coupling gel applied. 6 applicators will be placed onto the skin and held in position by a belt to ensure good coupling. Treatment will last 30-60 minutes depending on the treatment area(s).
+ Is it painful?
If you experience excessive discomfort or intolerable heat during treatment you should always notify your artisan.
+ Aftercare
- Skin cooling is not recommended (unless during first aid)
- Very hot water and direct heat exposure should be avoided for 2 days
- Avoid direct sun exposure and/or tanning beds for at least 7 days post treatment. During this time spf 30+ should be applied daily
- Avoid use of physical exfoliants or active skin care at the area
- Avoid chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser or intense skin treatments/cosmetic intervention for at least 2 weeks
- Moisturise the skin
An analogue of bile salts and a soy bean targeted treatments emulsify and rupture adipose cells. Subsequently fat tissue may be gradually eliminated from the body over a period of 8-10 weeks.
Although this treatment may be useful for targeting pockets of adipose tissue, it should not (and cannot) be used as a treatment for obesity. Instead it is suitable for use alongside exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
TARGETED TREATMENT FOR ADIPOSITY
OVERVIEW
CLick for more info
UNDER THE CHIN | SUBMENTAL AREA
JAWLINE
ABDOMEN
ABOVE THE KNEE
BRA ROLL
OUTER THIGHS
DISCRETE POCKETS OF ADIPOSE TISSUE ON THE BODY
TREATMENT MAY BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE FOLLOWING:
+ Am I suitable?
TARGETED TREATMENT FOR ADIPOSITY fAQS
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- systemic inflammation or illness including hepatic dysfunction, metabolic disorders, diabetes and/or hepatitis
- concurrent use non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and/or blood-thinning agents (diclofenac (voltaren), ibuprofen (neurofen), aspirin, clopidogrel (plavix), warfarin, heparin, meloxicam etc)
- previous/suspected skin cancers at the treatment site and/or active skin conditions or lesions
- previous marginal mandibular nerve injury or palsy
- lateral chin fat treatment
- tissue composition not suited to fat dissolve
- conditions that cause difficulty swallowing
- previous trauma or surgery to the area including in cases of excessive scar tissue formation
- smoking and/or recent alcohol intake
+ What are the risks and expected side effects?
- Redness, warmth, tingling, bruising, swelling and pain in the treatment area is expected which may itch in the days following. Intense swelling can cause downtime of 3-7 days and the site is likely to feel tender during this time. Ice may be used to reduce discomfort.
- Following resolution of swelling hardening and lumpiness of this site it common. This can take over a month to resolve
Less commonly the following adverse effects may occur:
- Numbness - this may persist for over a month following treatment though in most cases fully resolves
- Infection - all care is taken to ensure no introduction of bacteria during treatment. Strict adherence to post care recommendations is advised to reduce risk of infection thereafter
- Mandibular marginal nerve palsy and/or injury - leading to asymmetry of smile. This is a rare reaction and in almost all cases has resolved with time
- Skin/muscle ulceration and damage - can occur when product is placed too superficially or too deeply. Often the side effects can be conservatively managed with appropriate wound care
- Alopecia (hair loss) at the site
- Difficulty swallowing can be a result of deep nerve injury and/or due to profuse swelling
- Tissue fibrosis is not uncommon and can be felt as areas of hardened/non elastic tissue in the treatment area. This may cause visual deformity in severe cases though may be reduced with appropriate management
- Poor results - can include asymmetry and/or poor response to treatment. In 1% of the population, resistance to treatment exists and results may be unachievable.
+ How many treatments will I need?
Complete resolution of fat is often not achievable, however improvement may be possible. Often in the case of submental treatment, improvement by 1 grade on the double chin assessment scale is likely.