The vast majority of women are not happy with their figure. Abdominal fat is an important energy reserve for the body. New ways of tackling fat have emerged, and it is now possible to lose fat using cold, thanks to cryolipolysis. What does this treatment involve? This article covers the possible causes of belly fat, what a session involves and how much it costs, and the cryotherapy-inspired products you can use at home.
Potential causes of belly fat
In women, hormonal balance influences several mechanisms, including mood and appetite. It also determines where fat is stored in the body.
During menopause, the distribution of fat in a woman’s body changes and her body shape changes. Fat that was previously stored around the thighs and buttocks tends to concentrate around the stomach and hips.
Stress has a significant effect on the appearance of belly fat. When the body is under stress, fat is harder to eliminate and tends to accumulate. Stress stimulates the secretion of cortisol, which has a negative impact on lipolysis — the breakdown of fat — and can therefore lead to weight gain.
From a waist circumference of 89 cm in women, abdominal fat becomes a health risk factor. It is therefore important to take action to get rid of this excess fat, starting by asking a doctor or medical professional for advice.
Belly fat can also be caused by a poor diet and a lack of physical activity. Indeed, you are more likely to gain weight around the stomach if your diet is unbalanced, too high in fat and calories. The transverse muscle is a deep abdominal muscle that plays a role in fat storage around the abdomen when it is not worked enough.
Cryolipolysis: losing fat with cold
The benefits of cold are used in a variety of approaches, from the removal of warts to muscle recovery after intense exercise for athletes. Since the 2000s, losing fat with cold has also become possible!
The first scientific studies highlighted the mechanism of fat breakdown through cold. A cryolipolysis treatment could reduce the thickness of the superficial fat layer by 20 to 80% (1).
Cryolipolysis is based on the principle that fat cells are more susceptible to cooling than other cells in the body. As a result, exposing certain areas of the body to cold triggers the destruction of fat cells (2). This medical cold treatment, carried out on localised fat deposits, aims to reduce fat (3).
Methods for removing belly fat with cold
Cryolipolysis sessions targeting the stomach
How does a cryolipolysis session work? In the first step, the doctor takes a series of measurements and photographs the area to be treated from different angles. The aim is to compare before and after photos following the session. During the session, which lasts approximately 1 hour, a cold gel is applied to the stomach. Successive suction movements are then performed while cooling the target area to around -10°C.
In general, a single session is carried out, but it takes around 2 to 3 months for the body to eliminate the treated fat cells and for the effect of the session to be seen. In some cases, dietary rebalancing may also be recommended alongside the cold fat treatment.
Cryotherapy sessions represent a significant investment. On average, this cold fat reduction technique costs between €500 and €800 per area. However, pricing may be reduced depending on the number of sessions and areas to be treated.
Treatments inspired by cryotherapy
Thanks to innovation, there are now cryotherapy-inspired treatments that can easily be used at home. They are significantly more affordable than professional salon sessions. These treatments provide a cooling effect on the area where they are applied.
That is why Cellublue has created a range of treatments inspired by this technique: the Cryo Belly Slimming Gel and the Cryo Thigh Slimming Gel. These 2 treatments are applied to targeted areas, easily at home.
Store your treatments in the fridge whenever possible, to allow the active ingredients to provide a more intense sensation with the help of cold. Apply twice a day to the areas where you want to use them.
Each gel is designed for a specific area:
- stomach and hips for the first,
- thighs and buttocks for the second.
The cooling gel that leaves the skin on your stomach firmer
- Arctic Algae, Prosveltyl® & Menthol, combined in a formula designed for the stomach and hips
- Sorbet texture: it absorbs faster and makes the fresh sensation last longer
- 🍃 98.3% natural-origin ingredients
The cooling gel that leaves thigh skin firmer
- Immediate cooling effect: menthol kicks in as soon as it is applied, then skin is firmer under your fingers (keep the gel in the fridge for even more intensity)
- Caffeine & Lipothetic®, a patented active ingredient, at the heart of a formula designed for thighs and buttocks
- Sorbet texture: it absorbs faster and makes the feeling of freshness last longer
Sources and references
(1) Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine Surgery 28: 244-249 © 2009 Elsevier Inc. doi 10.1016/j.sder.2009.11.004
(2) Krueger, N., SV, Luebberding, S. and Sadick, N.-S. (2014). Cryolipolysis for non-invasive body contouring: clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 7, 201-5. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S44371
(3) Ingargiola, M. J., Motakef, S., Chung, M. T., Vasconez, H. C., & Sasaki, G. H. (2015). Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 135(6), 1581-90. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001236
Frequently asked questions
My lower stomach feels cold to the touch – is that normal?
A stomach that feels cold to the touch can have various causes, and only a professional can assess it. If the sensation worries you or doesn’t go away, speak to a doctor or medical professional.
Useful categories: Slimming the Belly.
Menthol Cooling Gel vs Cryolipolysis: What’s the Difference?
