Is it okay to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment sooner than 6 weeks?

10/08/2024 |

Have you been tempted to deviate from your Cryolipolysis treatment protocols? After all, you want to help your patients eliminate unwanted fat as quickly as possible. We understand that because we’ve been in your position, having been medspa owners/operators for more than twenty years. But…should you agree to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment sooner than 6 weeks? In this article, we’ll give you our expert opinion…after we lay out the facts about Cryolipolysis technology and treatments, as well as the reasons for the Cryolipolysis protocol designs. And we’ll conclude by telling you how you can safely and effectively give your patients fantastic Cryolipolysis fat reduction results as quickly as possible, sharing some of the secrets we’ve developed over the years.

I

Understanding Cryolipolysis technology and treatments

How does the Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) technology reduce fat?

It’s been seventy-five years since medical experts first recognized that fat cells are more susceptible to damage from cold temperatures than any other cells in the body.

And it’s this principle that serves as the foundation for Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) technology.

So…how does a Cryolipolysis treatment reduce fat?

First step

The Cryolipolysis treatment: Fat Cell Destruction

Cryolipolysis technology, also called fat freezing, delivers freezing cold temperatures that cool the treatment area to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).
To fully appreciate the amount of cooling involved in a Cryolipolysis treatment, keep in mind that surface skin temperature runs between 92 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a drop of more than 50 degrees!
During the treatment, fat cells in the treatment area are damaged by the Cryolipolysis controlled cooling and start dying, a process called apoptosis.
Meanwhile, the surrounding tissue in the treatment area (skin, muscle, blood vessels, etc.) are left unharmed from the freezIng cold temperatures of the Cryolipolysis fat freezing treatment.

Second step

After the Cryolipolysis treatment: Fat Elimination Process

Inflammatory Response

The body reacts to the Cryolipolysis treatment with a local inflammatory response, sending white blood cells to the treatment area to assist in dispersing the damaged/dying fat cells and ‘rescuing’ the body from a perceived harm.
Studies show that inflammation is a positive thing, as it contributes to better body contouring results.

Lymphatic Detox Process

The lymphatic system also goes into action initiating the natural process of eliminating the soon-to-be dead fat cells and other debris from the body.
But this process takes time.
The lymphatic elimination process takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
With most patients, it’s not until three to four months (12-16 weeks) before the debris from the treatment is completely cleared from the body and the reduction and consequent slimming in the treatment area is fully realized.

Quick question before we move on.

You are taking the time to read this article…

So we're guessing you want to become an expert in Cryolipolysis (fat freezing)?

You can fast track that goal!

Take a look at our in-depth online Cryolipolysis certification course

In the course, we share our knowledge, protocols, consent forms, plus insider tips and more!

Get the Cryolipolysis course details now!

How many Cryolipolysis treatments are needed?

Will you need to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment?

Whether you need to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment depends on

(1) the amount and location of fat in your patient’s problem area;

(2) how much reduction was seen from the initial treatment;

(3) your patient’s goals.

1-3 treatments is most common, but every patient is different.
Your patient should make the decision to retreat (or not) at her Cryolipolysis follow up visit, which should be scheduled between 12-16 weeks post treatment.

When will your client see results from a Cryolipolysis treatment?

Again, this can vary greatly from patient to patient.
The reduction happens gradually as dead fat cells and other debris are expelled from the body.
Most patients can start to see some change at about 4-6 weeks post treatment.
However, full or final results from the Cryolipolysis treatment most often takes 12-16 weeks, BUT can take up to 6 months or more in some patients.

II

What is the recommended time period to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment…and why?

There are two reasons why we recommend waiting to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment until 6 weeks or longer:

The inflammatory process brought about by the treatment.

⇨ You need to allow the body to calm down, heal and return to a normal state.

Allow time for the skin to recover.
Allow time for the swelling to go down.
Allow time for the discomfort to resolve.

There is still some inflammation and swelling (though the patient may not always perceive it) up to 6 weeks post-treatment. You don’t want to rush the inflammatory process. Remember, inflammation leads to better results.

⇨ Inflammation is one reason why you should allow at least 6 weeks for full recovery before you perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment.

The body needs time to eliminate all the fat cells the treatment destroyed.

It takes about two weeks for the fat cells to go through the process of apoptosis and die. After that it takes several weeks (12-16 weeks) for the body to completely metabolize and eliminate them.

If you perform a second Cryolipolysis treatment sooner than 6 weeks, you will be freezing over dead fat cells. Your patient will not receive the benefit of an effective treatment.

⇨Treating over dead fat cells that have not yet been eliminated from the body is another reason not to perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment sooner than 6 weeks.

III

What can happen if you perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment sooner than 6 weeks?

You can cause physical harm to the patient by creating inflammation over inflammation.
It could result in an ineffective treatment = treating over dead fat cells and uncleared debris, and not penetrating to the untreated fat cells.
You will likely be wasting your patient’s money with
- An ineffective treatment
- A treatment that may not even be necessary (your patient has not yet realized full reduction from the treatment)
- And…you may lose your patient’s trust and confidence.

IV

What about treating a different area?

How soon can you perform a repeat Cryolipolysis treatment…but to a different area?

Second areas are generally okay to treat within the 6 week post-Cryolipolysis period (or even the same day as the initial Cryolipolysis treatment), with one caveat, which we discuss below.

Here’s how treating a second area differs from retreating to the same area…

There are NO CONCERNS with inflammation over inflammation

You can treat a second area within the 6 week period and avoid the risk of producing inflammation over inflammation at the same site.

There are NO CONCERNS with treating over dead fat cells

There are no dead fat cells in a new area. You can avoid the risk of treating over dead fat cells,

BUT there ARE CONCERNS with the lymphatic system elimination time…and here’s why

Even when performing a second Cryolipolysis treatment to a different area, your patient has just one lymphatic system. And that lymphatic system is already working harder than normal to clear the fat cells from the first treatment.

The answer to whether your patient’s lymphatic system can handle this ‘double-elimination’ brought about by the second Cryolipolysis treatment requires careful assessment of each individual patient and her lifestyle so as to determine lymphatic function health.
How do you do this? We tell you how to make this assessment in our blog, Considerations when deciding to treat multiple body contouring areas in one visit.

And as you might guess, when it comes to non-invasive fat reduction (including Cryolipolysis) boosting lymphatic function is THE key to optimal (and even accelerated) fat reduction results.

So…

For best Cryolipolysis fat reduction results, add lymphatic booster treatments after (and even before) Cryolipolysis treatment sessions.

Here’s why…

Fat cell destruction is not enough. Fat cell elimination is necessary.

Cryolipolysis technology is not alone in requiring healthy lymphatic function to eliminate the dead fat cells and debris from the treatment.
That’s how all non-invasive fat reduction technologies work.
These technologies damage fat cells in the treated area and then rely on the patient’s lymphatic system to process, mobilize and remove the destroyed fat cells and other debris from the body.
Results are seen only after the elimination process is complete, and not before.

That’s why you should…

And here’s why…

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system eliminates waste, toxins and excess fluids from the body.
Cryolipolysis treatments add to the workload by leaving behind dead fat cells and other debris, which the lymphatic system must remove.

What is needed for healthy lymphatic function

And here’s the deal. The lymphatic system has no pump and relies on movement by the body to move the waste along.

But that’s not all it needs.

Here’s what your patient needs for healthy lymphatic function:

Movement
Water (hydration)
Low stress levels
Proper Nutrition

And the problem is…

Most patient’s lifestyles do not promote healthy lymphatic function

Most patient’s lifestyles work against all of the needs of the lymphatic system..
Thus the need to provide Lymphatic Booster Treatments.
Incorporating lymphatic booster treatments help you deliver the best results.
Which is the very reason that the most successful body contouring professionals incorporate lymphatic booster treatments into their fat reduction protocols!

What are lymphatic booster treatments?

Lymphatic boosters are treatments that boost the lymphatic system by promoting healthy lymphatic function.
They enhance lymphatic flow by increasing both blood and lymphatic circulation.

Take a look at two of our favorites.

Whole Body Vibration Therapy (Vibration Therapy)

This passive exercise therapy that increases blood and lymphatic circulation via intense (but comfortable) muscle contractions.
Patients stand on the vibration platform for a short 10 minute program and enjoy ‘getting their exercise’ in an effortless and enjoyable way.

Add Vibration Therapy to your business and your Cryolipolysis protocols!

Learn and get certified in Vibration Therapy is easy in our online course

It includes the…Systems ** Tools ** Forms ** Protocols…you need!

Get the details about this certification course!

Pressotherapy (Intermittent CompressionTherapy)

This computer-controlled compression therapy system utilizes inflating pumps within a bodysuit worn by your patient.
It applies intermittent pressure to the patient’s body stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation.
The treatment feels like a soothing massage and patients enjoy the feeling of being pampered.

Add Pressotherapy to your business and your Cryolipolysis protocols!

Learn and get certified in Pressotherapy is easy in our online course