Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) at MEDICOM Clinic Brno using controlled cooling to selectively destroy subcutaneous fat cells without damaging overlying skin. A non-invasive alternative to surgical liposuction for localised fat deposits on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and back.

Cryolipolysis at MEDICOM Clinic Brno exploits the differential thermal sensitivity between fat cells (adipocytes) and other tissue types to achieve selective, non-invasive fat reduction. The scientific basis rests on the observation, initially made in the 1970s (later formalised as 'cold panniculitis'), that adipocytes undergo apoptosis at temperatures that leave surrounding dermis, nerves, and vasculature unharmed. The optimal temperature window for selective adipocyte apoptosis is approximately -5°C to -10°C — cold enough to initiate fat cell death but above the freezing point of water, avoiding ice crystal formation in healthy tissue. During treatment, a vacuum applicator is placed on the target fat deposit, drawing the skin and subcutaneous fat into the cooling chamber. Controlled cooling is then applied to the captured tissue for 35–60 minutes depending on the applicator and protocol. The patient typically experiences intense cold and pressure for the first few minutes, followed by numbness as the sensory nerves in the treated area temporarily desensitise. The session is passive — most patients read or use their phone during treatment. Following cooling, the treated area is firmly massaged for 1–2 minutes. This massage step, introduced after clinical research showed it significantly amplifies fat reduction (by 68% compared to no massage in some studies), disrupts the partially crystallised fat cells and accelerates the apoptotic process. The dead adipocytes are then cleared by the immune system over 8–12 weeks, with macrophages phagocytosing the cellular debris and transporting it through the lymphatics to the liver. Clinically, a single cryolipolysis session reduces the fat layer in the treated area by an average of 20–25%, with results becoming progressively visible over 8–12 weeks. For areas with larger volumes of fat, a second session after 8–12 weeks of recovery can produce cumulative reductions of 40–50%. Cryolipolysis is not a weight loss treatment — it is a body contouring tool for localised fat deposits in patients who are near their target weight but have persistent fat pockets that do not respond to diet and exercise.