Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Cryolipolysis in Reducing Local Adipose Tissue in Women—A Randomized Pilot Study

Introduction

Cryolipolysis was developed in 2007 as a method of reducing excessive adipose tissue using low temperatures. During the procedure, lipid crystallization occurs at temperatures much higher than the freezing point of water in the tissues. This is followed by the recruitment of macrophages, the number of which peaks at 4 weeks and disappears at about 3 months after treatment.

Material and Methods

The study involved 15 women who were divided into a control group and a study group. All subjects completed the QEB questionnaire, had body circumference measurements taken, and had a body composition analysis performed before the start of therapy and 1 month after the end of therapy. The study group underwent three cryolipolysis treatments to the abdominal area, with a treatment duration of 45 min and a temperature of −8°C. Approval from the bioethics committee was obtained prior to the study.

Results

Comparing the results of the control group and the study group after 3 months of the study, differences in mean values of body fat, abdominal circumference, and BMI values are evident, while statistical analysis showed a significant difference in changes in BMI values (p < 0.05), while changes in body fat were on the borderline of statistical significance (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

The study confirms that cryolipolysis is a safe method of reducing locally accumulated fat, especially in the abdominal area in women.