How does cryolipolysis work?
Cryolipolysis, sometimes known as Coolsculpting or simply “cryo”, is a method foreliminating unwanted fat cells that won’t go away despite a healthy lifestyle. This treatment uses extreme cold to target and destroy localized fat deposits without damaging the skin or surrounding tissue. It’s a safe and effective alternative to traditional cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction.
Cryolipolysis uses a cooling handpiece that sucks in the fatty areas to be treated. Extreme cold (“Cryo”) destroys fat cells by reducing their temperature (“lipolysis”). Over time, the body naturally eliminates these destroyed cells.
Which areas can be treated?
- The double chin
- Bust fat (in women)
- Chest (for men)
- Upper arms
- Back fat
- Love handles
- The abdominal area
- The subgluteal fold
- Saddlebags
- Inner thighs
- Top of the knee
The benefits of cryolipolysis
- Non-invasive: no scars, no general anaesthetic
- Safety: safe treatment with no significant side effects
- Effective: results are visible in just a few weeks and can last for years.
- Adaptability: cryolipolysis can be performed on several areas of the body
- No recovery time: activities can be resumed immediately

Frequently asked questions
Does cryolipolysis help you lose weight?
Cryolipolysis is a non-surgical procedure that helps reduce body fat in stubborn areas, but does not in itself make you lose weight. Cryolipolysis should ideally be used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet andregular exercise to achieve overall, lasting weight loss.
Does cryolipolysis really work?
Cryolipolysis is a procedure that has been tried and tested for many years. Results vary according to patient and treatment area, but scientific studies have shown that cryolipolysis significantly reduces body fat. It is essential that fat cells are exposed to a sufficiently low temperature and for a set period of time in order to be destroyed.
At Claris Clinic, we use recognized professional equipment and treatments are carried out by nurses under medical supervision, to guarantee you the best and safest results. To find out more, read our blog post on cryolipolysis.
What's the difference between cryotherapy and cryolipolysis?
Cryotherapy and cryolipolysis are two techniques using cold, but with different objectives and methods: cryotherapy is a technique used in particular to relieve pain, improve sports performance and recovery, improve skin quality, manage stress and anxiety, and improve sleep quality. The body is briefly exposed in a chamber to extreme temperatures below -100°c. Cryolipolysis, on the other hand, is a technique that aims to reduce body fat in specific areas of the body that resist healthy eating and exercise, by cooling fat cells in these areas to low temperatures of around -8°c for over an hour.
How many sessions are required?
Results depend on the initial depth of the fat fold and the type of adipose tissue, but are generally visible after 6 weeks. Depending on the results, an additional session may be scheduled. The procedure can reduce the fat fold by 20 to 40% per session. Elimination is permanent, and results remain stable over the long term.
- The target area is cooled in a precise, controlled manner using an applicator connected to the cryolipolysis equipment.
- The fat cells under the skin are cooled to the precise temperature at which they are destroyed.
- Over the following weeks, the body will naturally metabolize these dead cells.
- No new cells will replace them: the elimination is total and definitive.
One to three sessions per area may be required, depending on the desired result. A minimum of 6 weeks should elapse between treatments. Cryolipolysis can be combined with other treatments, such as fractional radiofrequency, to simultaneously treat fat deposits and sagging skin.
In conclusion, the cold treatment of cryolipolysis is a safe and effective option for eliminating localized fat deposits or unwanted bulges, without undergoing more invasive surgery. If you’re interested in this treatment, don’t hesitate to consult our specialists to find out more.
Your journey in 3 steps
- Preparation
- Treatment
- Follow-up



At a glance
Approx. 70 minutes
Less than 2 hours
Immediate
Possible directly after treatment
A few hours. Drink plenty of fluids (to help the lymphatic system drain and eliminate destroyed fat cells).

The result
Cryolipolysis targets and cools fat cells to a precise temperature (-8°C), resulting in their permanent destruction. Results are visible after 6 weeks, with a 20-40% reduction in fat folds per session. These results remain stable over the long term, provided a healthy lifestyle is maintained.
One to three treatments per zone, spaced 6 weeks apart, may be necessary. Destroyed cells are eliminated naturally by the body, without regeneration.
This treatment can be combined with radiofrequency to simultaneously treat fat deposits and sagging skin.