Cryolipolysis with shock waves reduces fat

An alternative to liposuction that uses a combination of cryolipolysis and shock waves shows promise for reducing subcutaneous fat and cellulite, according to a recent study.

Bill Gillette

July 19, 2012

1 Min Read
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Naples, Italy — An alternative to liposuction that uses a combination of cryolipolysis and shock waves shows promise for reducing subcutaneous fat and cellulite, according to a recent study.

Ice-Shock Lipolysis uses a combination of shock waves and cryolipolysis to reduce the circumference of treated areas, including localized fat and cellulite. Investigators with the Second University of Naples studied the combination treatment in 50 patients. They found a mean reduction in fat thickness after treatments was over 3 cm, with a mean 4.45 cm reduction in circumference.

The combination of shock waves, normally used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and cryolipolysis, a noninvasive method of destroying localized subcutaneous fat, caused programmed death and slow resorption of destroyed adipocytes.

“The findings show that the action of Ice-Shock Lipolysis is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated noninvasive procedure for body contouring,” the authors concluded. “In particular, (we) believe that this could be an ideal alternative to liposuction for patients who require only small or moderate amounts of adipose tissue and cellulite removal or are not suitable candidates for surgical approaches to body contouring.”

The study was published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

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