Fat freezing side effects
The possible side effects of fat freezing treatment
Fat freezing, also known as cryolipolysis, can cause temporary side effects such as redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness and numbness in the treatment area. These usually improve over hours, days or weeks, although some symptoms could in rare cases last longer.
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Less common complications include prolonged pain, temporary changes in skin sensation and uneven contours. The most rare but important complication is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), where the treated fatty tissue enlarges rather than reduces.
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This page explains which side effects can occur during and after fat freezing, how long they may last and when to seek medical advice.
What fat freezing side effects you can expect
During and directly following treatment. What side effects you may experience at the clinic
During and directly following your fat freezing treatment you may experience some short-term side effects.
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At the start of the treatment you may feel: ​
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A pulling, tugging and pinching feeling in the area where the applicator is applied
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Cold, tingling or aching of the area that is being cooled
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Stinging and burning sensations similar to sunburn where the area is cooled
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Localised numbing
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After about 10 minutes the applicators are fully settled and the temperature has stabilised. At that point you may feel:
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The area has become fully numb
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A distant and milder feeling of burning, more manageable than the initial burning felt during the first 10 minutes
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An ongoing heaviness of the applicators
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For most clients, having the applicators removed is a pleasant experience. However, some side effects may also occur at this stage. These include:
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Redness and minor swelling in the exact area where the applicator was
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A fast reduction of numbing and a returning of mild burning feelings that fade over a matter of hours
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A noticeable hardening of the fat in the treated area that often lasts up to 10 minutes, and reduces as the area warms.
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A sharp burning sensation may begin almost immediately after the applicator is removed and typically lasts for up to 10 minutes. This is a rare side effect and may affect all treated areas or only some of them
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Treatment side effects for specific treatment areas
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​Arms
During the fat freezing treatment on the arms you may also notice:
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Temporary numbing feelings in the arms, hands, and/or fingers
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Temporary pins and needles in the arms, hands and/or fingers
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A slight colour change in the arms and hands as a result of reduced blood flow caused by the pinching of the applicator
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Directly after treatment you may then experience:
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Feeling returning to the arms and hands. Often it takes up to 5 minutes for the full feeling to return
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A short term increase of pins and needles following the removal of the applicators
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A cramping sensation in the arms directly after the applicator is removed and lasts seconds to a minute at most. This is very rare and very unlikely to happen ​
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Chin
The chin is a sensitive area. When there is a fair amount of fat in the chin area this treatment is generally a comfortable experience, but when there is only a small amount of fat then the pinching from the vacuum can be bothersome.
During the treatment you may notice:
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Swallowing and talking to be more uncomfortable. Caused by the applicator pressing in on the throat area
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Neck pain, especially in the lower neck. Caused by remaining in a still position in a slightly uncomfortable angle for the duration of treatment
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There are no unusual side effects on the chin directly following treatment. However, the chin is more likely to bruise and show minor swelling immediately after the applicator is removed.
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Hours and days after treatment: common side effects
In the hours and weeks following the treatment you may experience the following common fat freezing side effects:
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General tenderness
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Skin sensitivity
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Redness
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Firmness
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Tingling or numbness
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Bruising or swelling
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Most people will feel the treated areas have gone back to almost normal by the time they leave the clinic, others may feel discomfort for a number of weeks after.
Everyone is different, and everyone will experience side effects in different severities.
Uncommon side effects
Less common side effects of fat freezing include:
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Dizziness or nausea during or directly following treatment
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Light-headedness in the minutes following the treatment
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Abdominal cramping and some bloating if the stomach was treated
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A temporary hard/solid feeling of the area that was treated
Rare side effects
These are the most rare side effects of fat freezing:​
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Significant pain for which pain killers are required
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Undulations, nodules, bumps or an uneven surface
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Tissue irregularities, such as lumps or indentations.
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Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH), enlargement of the area
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Blistering
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Ice burns and frostbite​
At our Manchester clinic we always ensure that we follow best treatment practice and take all possible precautions to ensure your experience is comfortable and without negative fat freezing side effects.
We will adjust the treatment to your body, your experience and discomfort and your desired outcomes, and we will always carry out a thorough medical history check with you before your treatment to ensure the treatment is safe and suitable for you.​If you are worried about the side effects of fat freezing and would like to understand your risks you can contact us through the contact form in the footer or book a consultation.
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia, also referred to as PAH, the stick-of-butter effect or simply hyperplasia, is a very rare side effect that has been observed as a result of fat freezing with an incidence of 0.0051%, or 1 in 20,000. Where PAH occurs the area that was treated enlarges instead of reduces and creates the appearance of a stick of butter.
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At Fat Freezing Manchester we have had no cases of PAH, and to our knowledge no cases of PAH have ever been reported following the use of the Quattro Pro equipment that is used at our clinic and around the world..
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In the highly unlikely case that paradoxical adipose hyperplasia occurs the recommended treatment to resolve the issue is liposuction.
The positive effects from fat freezing
Of course, there are also the positive effects from fat freezing treatment.
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Fat freezing treatment reduces the amount of fat cells in the target area, and therefore reducing the amount of fat stored. This leads to a reduction in fat and a more toned physique. Because the fat cells that are treated are gone, the fat loss results from fat freezing are permanent. ​​
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Freezing fat triggers cell death in fat cells. The fat cells die, break down and the cellular debris is eliminated from the body through the body's natural processes over the 6 to 12 weeks following your treatment.
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Fat freezing is highly effective in permanently reducing stubborn fat in areas such as the arms, the stomach, the back, the thighs and the calves. Treatment is especially recommended on areas where there is stubborn fat that is hard to lose through exercise and diet.
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How to minimise fat freezing side effects
After fat freezing you can resume your day-to-day activities immediately. You can go to the gym, eat, drink, shower and have a bath without issues.
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Sometimes the skin can be a bit sensitive following treatment. Wearing loose clothes can help to avoid skin irritation from rubbing and it can be more comfortable during the treatment too.
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Drinking plenty of water and massaging the skin in the treated area regularly can help the sensations of the skin return to normal faster. Arnica oil can be used during massage to reduce bruising.
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