Cryolipolysis Technology: A Review of Non-Surgical Fat Reduction with Minimal Pain

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors
1 Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract
Aims: Cryolipolysis is a successful non-invasive technique for reducing fat, offering a potential alternative for non-surgical body sculpting. This research conducts a thorough assessment of the existing data, focusing specifically on cryolipolysis-induced pain.

Method and Materials: A thorough search of electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was carried out in this systematic review to find relevant studies published until July 2024. The search strategy used terms linked to Cryolipolysis and pain, like "pain" and "cryolipolysis". The studies were evaluated for their methodological quality, and the findings were combined to give a summary.

Findings: In this review, 130 articles were obtained in the initial literature search. Following the application of inclusion criteria and the identification of additional articles through a manual review of references, 16 studies were chosen for review. The studies covered a variety of populations and research types, like randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports. The findings of this review indicated that a variety range of pain in the treated area is commonly felt during and after the procedure.

Conclusion: Patients may experience pain and discomfort during and after the cryolipolysis procedure. By following recommended pain management strategies, they can achieve satisfactory results with minimal discomfort.

Keywords

Subjects


1. Obesity: causes, consequences, treatments, and challenges. J Mol Cell Biol. 2021 Oct 21;13(7):463–5.
2. Ingargiola MJ, Motakef S, Chung MT, Vasconez HC, Sasaki GH. Cryolipolysis for Fat Reduction and Body Contouring: Safety and Efficacy of Current Treatment Paradigms. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Jun;135(6):1581–90.
3. Duncan WC, Freeman RG, Heaton CL. Cold Panniculitis. Arch Dermatol. 1966 Dec 1;94(6):722–4.
4. Garibyan L, Sipprell WH, Jalian HR, Sakamoto FH, Avram M, Anderson RR. Three-dimensional volumetric quantification of fat loss following cryolipolysis. Lasers Surg Med. 2014 Feb;46(2):75–80.
5. Dover J, Saedi N, Kaminer M, Zachary C, editors. Side effects and risks associated with cryolipolysis. In 2011.
6. Burgess G, Williams D. The discovery and development of analgesics: new mechanisms, new modalities. J Clin Invest. 2010 Nov;120(11):3753–9.
7. Altmann J, Burns AJ, Kilmer SL, Lee C, Lim T, Metelitsa A, et al. Global Expert Opinion on Cryolipolysis Treatment Recommendations and Considerations: A Modified Delphi Study. Aesthetic Surg J Open Forum. 2022;4:ojac008.
8. Khan M. Complications of Cryolipolysis: Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) and Beyond. Aesthet Surg J. 2019 Jul 12;39(8):NP334–42.
9. Altmann J, Jehle F, Mang W. Patient Satisfaction, Recommendation Rate, and Patient Comfort With an FDA-Cleared Cryolipolysis System. Aesthetic Surg J Open Forum. 2022 Aug 12;4:ojac067.
10. Derrick CD, Shridharani SM, Broyles JM. The Safety and Efficacy of Cryolipolysis: A Systematic Review of Available Literature. Aesthet Surg J. 2015 Sep;35(7):830–6.
11. Klein KB, Zelickson B, Riopelle JG, Okamoto E, Bachelor EP, Harry RS, et al. Non-invasive cryolipolysis for subcutaneous fat reduction does not affect serum lipid levels or liver function tests. Lasers Surg Med. 2009 Dec;41(10):785–90.
12. Lee K. Clinical efficacy of fat reduction on the thigh of Korean women through cryolipolysis. J Obes Weight Loss. 2013;3:1–5.
13. Dierickx CC, Mazer JM, Sand M, Koenig S, Arigon V. Safety, Tolerance, and Patient Satisfaction With Noninvasive Cryolipolysis. Dermatol Surg. 2013 Aug;39(8):1209–16.
14. Stevens WG, Pietrzak LK, Spring MA. Broad Overview of a Clinical and Commercial Experience With CoolSculpting. Aesthet Surg J. 2013 Aug 1;33(6):835–46.
15. Garibyan L, Cornelissen L, Sipprell W, Pruessner J, Elmariah S, Luo T, et al. Transient alterations of cutaneous sensory nerve function by non-invasive cryolipolysis. J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Nov;135(11):2623–31.
16. Stefani WA. Adipose Hypertrophy Following Cryolipolysis. Aesthet Surg J. 2015 Sep;35(7): 218–20.
17. Keaney TC, Gudas AT, Alster TS. Delayed Onset Pain Associated With Cryolipolysis Treatment: A Retrospective Study With Treatment Recommendations. Dermatol Surg. 2015 Nov;41(11):1296–9.
18. Wanitphakdeedecha R, Sathaworawong A, Manuskiatti W. The efficacy of cryolipolysis treatment on arms and inner thighs. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30(8):2165–9.
19. Harrington JL, Capizzi PJ. Cryolipolysis for Nonsurgical Reduction of Fat in the Lateral Chest Wall Post-Mastectomy. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Jun 1;37(6):715–22.
20. Adjadj L, SidAhmed-Mezi M, Mondoloni M, Meningaud JP, Hersant B. Assessment of the Efficacy of Cryolipolysis on Saddlebags: A Prospective Study of 53 Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 Jul;140(1):50–7.
21. Ko EJ, Kwon HJ, Kwon TR, Choi SY, Yoo KH, Kim BJ. High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment after cryolipolysis may be used to reduce pain: Two case report. Dermatol Ther. 2018 Jul;31(4):e12604.
22. Gregory A, Humphrey S, Varas G, Zachary C, Carruthers J. Atypical Pain Developing Subsequent to Cryolipolysis for Noninvasive Reduction of Submental Fat. Dermatol Surg. 2019 Mar;45(3):487–9.
23. Nishikawa A, Aikawa Y. Quantitative Assessment of the Cryolipolysis Method for Body Contouring in Asian Patients. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Nov 23;14:1773–81.
24. Hong JY, Park SJ, Kim SY, Kim BJ. Efficacy and Safety of Cold-Induced Noninvasive Targeted Fat Reduction in Pseudogynecomastia. Ann Dermatol. 2022 Dec;34(6):412–8.
25. Vignoli F, Mármol GV. Cryolipolysis for fat reduction using Cooltech® Define technology: A large-sample retrospective clinical study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Nov;22(S3):15–24.
26. Kennedy J, Verne S, Griffith R, Falto-Aizpurua L, Nouri K. Non-invasive subcutaneous fat reduction: a review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2015 Sep;29(9):1679–88.
27. Park JT, Kwon SH, Shin JW, Park KC, Na JI, Huh CH. The efficacy and safety of cold-induced lipolysis in the treatment of pseudogynecomastia. Lasers Surg Med. 2016 Aug;48(6):584–9.
28. Manstein D, Laubach H, Watanabe K, Farinelli W, Zurakowski D, Anderson RR. Selective cryolysis: a novel method of non-invasive fat removal. Lasers Surg Med. 2008 Nov;40(9):595–604.
29. Kwon TR, Yoo KH, Oh CT, Shin DH, Choi EJ, Jung SJ, et al. Improved methods for selective cryolipolysis results in subcutaneous fat layer reduction in a porcine model. Skin Res Technol Off J Int Soc Bioeng Skin ISBS Int Soc Digit Imaging Skin ISDIS Int Soc Skin Imaging ISSI. 2015 May;21(2):192–200.
30. Zelickson B, Egbert BM, Preciado J, Allison J, Springer K, Rhoades RW, et al. Cryolipolysis for noninvasive fat cell destruction: initial results from a pig model. Dermatol Surg Off Publ Am Soc Dermatol Surg Al. 2009 Oct;35(10):1462–70.
31. Bernstein EF, Bloom JD. Safety and Efficacy of Bilateral Submental Cryolipolysis With Quantified 3-Dimensional Imaging of Fat Reduction and Skin Tightening. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2017 Sep 1;19(5):350–7.