Cryotherapy: how to reduce cellulite using cold

We all know that despite all the efforts, once cellulite has settled permanently, it takes an army and a whole bunch of strategies to make it disappear. Fortunately, when exercise and diets do not give you the results you are hoping for, modern technology provides you with the answer. In fact, cryotherapy can be such a good help. At least in some well-targeted areas of your body.

What is cryotherapy?

"Cryotherapy" literally means "cold therapy", and it is used for many indications. Low temperatures can be such a relief when curing the intense pain of tendonitis or a sprain for example. When it comes to reducing cellulite, we are precisely talking about "cryolipolysis", which means "reducing fatty deposits using very cold temperature".

How does it work?

Your whole body, or parts of it, are exposed to extremely low temperatures for few minutes ( not more than 4 minutes). To achieve this temperature, specialists use either liquid nitrogen or refrigerated cold air. The intense cold causes the destruction of fat cells, but you will have to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks after your first session to start noticing results. Moreover, a special attention should be given to your weight in this particular period, in order to prevent the reappearance of cellulite.

Who should use cryotherapy?

Generally, cryotherapy against cellulite is considered for overweight people who fail to eliminate "stubborn" cellulite despite exercising regularly and following a strict diet.

Is cryotherapy efficient for all types of cellulite?

Cryotherapy mostly targets adipose cellulite, which is due to excess fat storage. On the other hand, it is not very effective against the cellulite caused by fluid retention "aqueous cellulite", that people suffering from venous inmpairment can have.

What are the treatable areas?

Cryolipolysis is mainly used to treat love handles,hips and cellulite buildup in the belly and behind the knees. When cellulite is located at the bottom of the gluteus, cryotherapy is more difficult to use: it is often better to consider other solutions such as liposuction.

What you need to know about the sessions?

Anti-cellulite cryotherapy sessions should be performed by health professionals. Most often they take place in the office of an aesthetic doctor or a dermatologist. Before the session, the doctor will talk to you, assess the nature of your skin and evaluate the thickness of the skin folds. Generally, we already know very well where we want to eliminate cellulite, but it may be advisable to target another area.

The doctor can then take some pictures of the area to be treated before starting the session. The cold can be quite unpleasant at first, but as you go through more sessions, you will get used to the feeling. Generally, one session is sufficient, but sometimes it takes more when the area to be treated is too large.

Are there any side effects?

Cryolipolysis often causes unpleasant tingling and reddening of the skin in the treated area, and even slight swelling. Fortunately, everything gets back to normal after less than 15 days.

What are the contraindications?

The treatment of cellulite using cryotherapy is strongly not recommended neither for pregnant women, nor for people who suffer from a pathology which can get worse under low temperatures like hernia for example.

Cryotherapy can be a very effective technique to reduce the stubborn fat and cellulite, although it may seem a bit extreme and unusual, but once you will get to notice the results, you will want to try it more.