What is Fat Freezing? Everything You Need to Know About Fat Loss

Losing fat is easier said than done, especially when you want to target specific areas. Spot reduction through exercise is a myth, and when you’re dealing with those stubborn pockets of fat, it can feel like your body is ignoring every good habit you commit to.

That’s where fat freezing comes in.

Also known as cryolipolysis, this non-surgical, localised fat reduction and body contouring treatment is designed to help reduce fat safely and effectively – without going under the knife. It’s not a weight loss solution. Instead, it uses controlled cooling to help eliminate fat cells and reshape areas that aren’t responding to diet and exercise.

In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind fat freezing, if it’s safe, and break down each step of the fat freezing procedure.

Key Insights

• Fat freezing uses controlled cooling to target stubborn pockets of fat that don’t budge with diet or exercise.
• The treatment prompts fat cells to break down naturally over time, with results developing from 3 weeks to 3 to 6 months.
• Most people see a 15 to 28% fat reduction per area when using medical-grade technology and a tailored plan.
• Sensations like cold, tugging, or numbness are normal, and side effects are usually mild and temporary.
• It’s best for people close to their ideal weight who want more shape, not full-body weight loss.
• Multiple sessions may be needed depending on fat thickness, goals, and your therapist’s assessment.
• The treatment can shift stubborn areas, but long-term results still depend on how you move, eat, and care for your body.

The Science: How Does Fat Freezing Work?

So, how does fat freezing work?

Following an article from Harvard Health Publishing, the development of cryolipolysis started with, surprisingly, popsicles. Researchers noticed that children who held popsicles in their cheeks sometimes experienced temporary fat loss in the area without damage to their skin. Fat cells or adipocytes are more vulnerable to cold than their surrounding structures (the skin, nerves, tissue, and muscle). This sensitivity is what makes the fat freezing treatment possible.

Controlled Cooling Targets the Fat Cells

During a fat freezing procedure, the device cools the fat layer to a precise temperature low enough to injure fat cells, yet safe enough not to damage your skin, surrounding tissue, or underlying structure.

The Fat Cells Undergo Apoptosis

Once exposed to sustained cold conditions, the fat cells begin a process called apoptosis, which is essentially programmed cell death triggered. These fat cells are then broken down by the body and gradually eliminated.

Your Body Clears the Destroyed Fat Cells

After the fat cells break down, your immune system sends macrophages, white blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens, dead cells, and debris. They then carry them away through the lymphatic system, flushing them out of your body.

This process is gradual and occurs over several weeks, leading to fat reduction over time. This chain reaction explains why results aren’t immediate.

The Fat Freezing Procedure

A fat freezing procedure is far more relaxed than people imagine – no needles, no anaesthetic, just targeted cooling, a comfortable chair, and about an hour dedicated to future you. Here’s how the process unfolds from start to finish.

Pre-Procedure: Your Personal Assessment

Before any treatment, you’ll meet with a specially trained therapist for a consultation who will:

• Assess the area of treatment, mainly to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for fat freezing
• Map out the exact treatment spot for precise targeting
• Talk through realistic outcomes, timelines, and expectations

During Treatment

Protective Gel Pad Application

Your treatment starts with the application of a protective gel pad to shield your skin while allowing controlled cooling to reach the fat cells below.

Applicator Placement

The applicator is placed over the treatment area to draw the tissue into the cooling panel. You’ll experience sensations like:

• A firm suction as the area is gently drawn up
• A wave of intense cold
• Tingling or pressure, which subsides as the area becomes numb.

At Body Catalyst, we use the Clatuu 360° technology, which comes with a dual applicator, allowing for treatment on two sides simultaneously.

Cooling Time

Your treatment typically lasts 40 to 60 minutes, and the device maintains a steady temperature while the cold targets the fat cells. You’re free to catch up on your favourite podcast, answer emails, or treat yourself to a cheeky mid-day nap.

Post-Treatment

When the applicator is removed, the area might look firm or even slightly raised, which is completely normal. Your therapist will perform a brief 2 to 3-minute massage to help break down the frozen fat cells and kickstart the body’s natural clearing process.

After that, you’re good to go – no downtime, so you can fall back into life right away.

Does Fat Reduction Work?

When done with the right technology, following a tailored treatment plan, and under expert guidance, fat freezing works.

Clinical studies show an average fat reduction of 15% to 28% in the treated area after a single treatment. The exact percentage depends on the technology used, the size of the fat pocket, and your body’s ability to flush out the crystallised fat cells after treatment.

Read more in our blog: Does fat freezing treatment really work?

Results of Fat Freezing Over Time

Fat freezing works with your body’s natural processes, which means your results unfold gradually, not overnight. Here’s the typical journey:

• 3 Weeks: You may start noticing early changes. Clothes feel a little looser, and the area feels more contoured.
• 2 Months: This is where the transformation becomes clearer. Most people notice visible fat reduction and smoother definition.
• 3 to 6 Months: Your final outcome. By this point, your body has cleared the treated fat cells, revealing your full result.

Fat freezing requires patience, but it’s consistent, predictable, and long-lasting. Once the fat cells are gone, they don’t come back.

Why Multiple Sessions Matter

While some clients are thrilled after one session, others choose a plan that includes two or more treatments spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart to achieve their goals. This depends on:

• The size of the fat pocket
• The thickness of the area
• Your desired level of contouring
• Recommendations from your therapist during your consultation

Is Fat Freezing Safe & What Are Its Side Effects?

There’s one common question people ask before this procedure: Is fat freezing safe?

When performed with medical-grade technology and a qualified therapist, fat freezing is widely considered a low-risk, non-surgical procedure with a long history of safe use. It’s non-invasive, doesn’t involve needles, and requires zero downtime. But like any treatment, it isn’t completely sensation-free and may present with some side effects.

Common & Temporary Side Effects

Fat freezing works by cooling fat cells to the point of breakdown, so it’s normal to feel a few odd sensations before the area goes numb. These effects are expected, temporary, and part of how the process works.

During the fat freezing procedure, you may feel:

• A firm tugging or pulling sensation from the vacuum applicator
• Intense cold during the first few minutes
• Tingling, pressure, or mild cramping as the area numbs

These sensations usually disappear within 5 to 10 minutes as the targeted fat becomes numb.

After your session, it’s common to notice:

• Redness (erythema)
• Bruising
• Swelling or tenderness
• Light stiffness or sensitivity
• Numbness or reduced sensation

These side effects are signs the cooling is doing what it’s meant to do and typically resolve within days or weeks.

Rare & Potential Side Effects

Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)

PAH is the most widely discussed rare risk associated with cryolipolysis. It occurs when the treated fat cells enlarge rather than break down.

• Estimated to affect less than 1% of patients globally, with 0.0051% or 1 in 20,000 treated patients
• More commonly reported in men and some individuals of Hispanic ethnicity

PAH is not physically dangerous or life-threatening, but it does cause the treated area to become more noticeable. Corrective treatment is necessary in this case, with liposuction or surgical intervention.

Irregular or Uneven Skin Surface

In very rare cases, poor technique or incorrect applicator placement may lead to uneven contour and indented or raised texture.

Weight Gain

Fat freezing eliminates treated fat cells permanently, but it can’t prevent weight gain entirely. New fat may accumulate in untreated areas, especially when healthy habits aren’t maintained.

Who is Fat Freezing for and Who is It Not For?

Fat freezing is effective, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. Like any science-backed fat reduction approach, it works best on the right body, in the right circumstances, with the right expectations.

Suitable Candidates

Fat freezing acts as the nudge your body sometimes needs when lifestyle alone can’t shift certain areas. It can be a great option if:

• You’re in good overall health. Fat freezing is designed for people whose bodies can safely handle controlled cooling.
• You have stubborn, “pinchable” pockets of fat. These are the bulges that hang on no matter how often you meal prep or hit the gym.
• You’re close to your ideal body weight. Fat freezing can help you reach your goals without extreme measures.

Unsuitable Candidates

While fat freezing is safe for most people, it’s not recommended in a few specific circumstances.

• People with obesity or those seeking weight loss. Fat freezing reduces localised fat; it does not treat visceral fat or support full-body weight reduction.
• Anyone with cold-related medical conditions, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, and cold agglutinin disease. These conditions mean the body reacts abnormally to cold and could experience complications.
• Individuals with skin concerns in the treatment area. Severe varicose veins, dermatitis, infections, or open wounds need to be cleared before treatment.

Suitability Checklist Infographic

Your Next Step Toward Feeling More at Home in Your Body

Fat freezing isn’t magic, but it is a smart, science-backed option for reducing stubborn, localised fat when healthy habits alone can’t get you the shape you’re working toward. It’s non-surgical, low-risk, and designed to target the pockets that don’t budge. The treatment does the heavy lifting, but long-term results still rely on how you move, eat, and care for your body afterwards.

If you’re curious about whether it’s right for you, speak with a qualified, certified therapist at Body Catalyst. Ready to make the shift? Get in touch for a consultation for a plan that’s made for you.