Liposuction and fat freezing (also known as cryolipolysis or Cooltech) are both effective in reducing fat. But with massive differences in cost, recovery time, effectiveness, safety and indeed convenience, both treatments have less in common than you might think.

Here’s a quick look at the differences between fat-freezing vs liposuction -

Fat-freezing procedure

The primary difference between fat freezing and liposuction is that freezing is a non-invasive medical procedure. Whilst liposuction involves anaesthetising, cutting, stitching and a longer recovery, a fat-freezing procedure such as Cooltech is entirely non-surgical – removing the need for incisions and anaesthetic while delivering a reduction in excess fat in targeted areas, typically after two or more sessions.

So how does it work?

Cooltech’s freezing technique works by killing off targeted fat cells through the process of cryolipolysis. This means that with the use of a controlled cooling system stubborn fat can be targeted and painlessly reduced.

This allows your body to naturally break the fat down and dispose of it as waste in the weeks after the procedure.

This means the skin remains undamaged and unscarred, with sessions only taking around an hour and recovery being a non-issue due to the nature of the procedure. The only downsides are usually some bruising or sensitivity, though this is usually minor, especially when compared to the side effects of liposuction.

The results, however, can be nothing short of spectacular. One study from 2010 found that freezing can reduce up to 25% of fat cells in any targeted part of a person’s body, cementing the procedure as an extremely popular modern way to reduce areas of excess fat.

Who is it for?

While fat-freezing is a much gentler way to reduce fat and is suitable for a wide range of people, it is best suited to those with stubborn pockets of fat which need targeting, and not for those carrying significant excess weight. Results improve with several treatments, and you might notice results for at least four weeks. Some people with blood disorders might also not be eligible.

Liposuction procedure

Liposuction, on the other hand, is a surgical approach which involves the use of a small incision and a vacuum tool to directly deal with the fat. This can take one to two hours depending on the size of the treatment area, requires anaesthetic, and generally needs a recovery time of two to four days.

As it is a physical surgery, it can often result in side effects that range anywhere from skin discolouration to numbness and irregularities in skin shape.

Who is it for?

Liposuction is best reserved for those with excessive weight who are looking for more dramatic results. However, as a surgical procedure, it isn't suitable for everyone as surgery always carries the risk of complications, and the lengthy recovery period could impact your lifestyle or job if you are an active individual.

Cost vs benefit

Breaking down the costs of each procedure, liposuction will generally set you back more (anywhere from AED 10,000 to AED 30,000) - simply because of the complexities involved with it being a surgical operation.

Fat freezing, on the other hand, can cost as little as AED 2,000, depending on how many areas need to be treated.

At SlimSpa Dubai, we have special rates for fat freezing with Cooltech, which you can find here.

With no risk of scarring, cheaper costs, quicker, more convenient procedures and impressive results, fat freezing is a modern alternative to reducing stubborn pockets of fat that’s perfect for those looking to avoid a surgical process.

To find out more about Cooltech fat freezing, speak to us at Slim Spa today - call 04 343 7987.