Product Summary
LipoGlaze™ was introduced into the UK marketplace by LoveLite UK (now Amabelle UK Ltd) in 2011. It uses a fat freezing or cryolipolysis technique for non-invasive fat removal and body contouring.
According to the makers of the device, it destroys on average 33% of excess fat in one treatment, and is more affordable, and less time consuming than invasive fat removal techniques, such as liposuction.
The fat freezing specifically targets fat cells, with no damage to the surrounding tissues, and is an ideal procedure for the treatment of small, localised excess fat which doesn’t respond to diet and exercise.
Technical Specifications
There is a portable LipoGlaze Lite machine for treating one area at a time, a Lite 2 model which can treat two areas at once, thanks to dual heads (see image), and the more advanced LipoGlaze Callista.
The Callista comes with 6 applicator heads in different sizes (see image) for treating a wider variety of areas or multiple areas at once.
It’s worth asking any clinic that you contact which LipoGlaze device they have, as this will affect how many areas they can treat at once and which areas.
How Does It Work?
Fat cells (adipocytes) are more vulnerable to extremes of temperature, compared to the surrounding nerve, muscle and skin tissues. The lipid or oily fluid inside adipocytes is transformed into a solid at low temperatures, which triggers a programmed cell death.
Fat removal with LipoGlaze works via a process called cryolipolysis, in which excess fat cells are specifically targeted and destroyed with cold temperatures – lipolysis being the breakdown of fats, and cryo meaning the involvement of extreme cold. Once these fat cells die they are absorbed over time, broken down by the liver and metabolised, leaving a reduced fatty layer in the treated area. This eventually leads to the body contouring results of a reduced circumference in the area treated, such as the tummy, hips or thighs.
Licence Status
The device has not been classed as a medical device for European CE mark certification. It is CE certified as cosmetic only.
Should Be Used By
LipoGlaze treatments should only be performed by fully trained aestheticians or medical professionals that can present the relevant training certifications. Your consultation is the perfect time to address any concerns you may have about the procedure.
What Is It Used To Treat?
LipoGlaze is used to treat small areas of excess subcutaneous fat in many areas of the body; it`s versatility is thanks to applicators of different sizes which can be applied to larger and smaller areas equally as well. Treatment areas include: flanks (love handles), abdomen, upper arms, saddlebags, thighs (inner and outer), buttocks, back fat (bra bulges), gynaecomastia (man boobs), knees and double chins.
It is important to note that this is not a weight loss solution.
How Long Does It Last?
As fat cells do not regenerate following their death after the fat freezing process, the treatment is considered to be permanent.
However, any remaining fat cells can still grow and increase the overall size of the fatty layer, particularly if a healthy diet and lifestyle is not followed after treatment.
Side Effects & Risks
As a non-invasive treatment method, the risks with LipoGlaze are considered to be minimal, if performed correctly.
You may experience some redness and mild bruising, and numbness in the treatment area, but this should fade relatively quickly. There is no downtime required with most people returning to their normal activities immediately following treatment.
Rare complications from fat freezing treatments include cold injuries, such as burns or blisters from incorrect placement or movement of the device head during treatment, which can lead to skin damage and scarring.
Other reported adverse effects include paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where there is a delayed increase in fatty tissue in the area that was treated. This has been reported to be more common with men than women, but it is considered to be very rare.
Your practitioner will discuss all potential risks with you at your consultation.
Not to Be Used In
The ideal candidate for LipoGlaze is someone who has localised excess fat, as opposed to those that are overweight or obese. It is perfect to treat stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet or exercise, but it is not considered a weight loss treatment.
Those who are already close to a healthy BMI are likely to see the best results.
As with all cosmetic procedures, it should be avoided by pregnant and breast feeding women, and your GP should be consulted before undergoing treatment.
Treatment Regime
Treatment sessions tend to last between 40 to 60 minutes. No anaesthetic is required for the procedure, so a tingling sensation will be felt in the first few minutes, followed by a cooling sensation, as the freezing technology begins to work. The technology works under vacuum pressure, to keep the treatment area in contact with the applicator at all times.
In many cases, a single treatment will be enough to significantly reduce the amount of excess fat, and improve the contours of your body. Larger treatment areas, and higher levels of excess fat, may require additional treatment sessions to achieve optimal results. A two-month break is usually required between sessions on the same treatment area.
Following treatment, your practitioner will provide you with bespoke aftercare advice, which will include not to exercise the treated area for 48 hours following treatment. Additionally, in the 6-8 weeks after treatment, you will be advised to boost water intake, to help with the process of removing the lipids released by the fat cells. Regular body brushing will also help to break down the targeted tissue, as well as smoothing the texture of the overlying skin.
Cost Of Treatment
The cost of treatments will vary between clinics, the area of treatment and the size of applicator used. Treatments can start at around £195 for the small applicator, £295 for the medium, and £395 for the large. Many clinics will offer discounts for multiple treatments.
Clinical Results
After just one treatment, it’s reported from clinical study data produced by the company, that patients can see an average of 33% reduction in excess fat, with a range of 11-59% expected, depending on the existing layer of fat. A week after treatment the adipocytes change shape, after undergoing cell disruption. At the two-week mark, cell death occurs, and the dead adipocytes start to be metabolised by the body.
Optimum results tend to be seen 12 weeks after treatment, after all the disrupted fat cells have been naturally removed from the body. Results will vary between patients and your clinician will be able to provide you with more information on your expected results.
All images courtesy of LoveLite UK (Amabelle UK Ltd).
(All before and after photographs are real patients, your results may differ).