Body contouring
Fat freezing (cryolipolysis) at Chamak Clinic, Chennai
Doctor-led cooling to reduce small pockets of stubborn fat, with no surgery.
Ask the clinic first. Fat freezing (cryolipolysis) is not yet on Dr Rohini K's confirmed list of treatments. Ask the clinic on WhatsApp or by phone before you plan a session.
Price after your skin assessment: the doctor tells you the cost for your area and number of sessions before anything is done.
Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis) at a glance
- Sessions
- 1 to 2 per area, two to three months apart
- Session time
- 35 to 60 minutes per area
- Downtime
- Numbness and tenderness for a few days to weeks
- Results last
- Removed fat cells do not usually return; weight gain can change the result
- Starting price
- After consultation
- What is it?
- A controlled cooling treatment that damages fat cells in a pinch of tissue. The body clears them over the following weeks.
- How many sessions?
- Usually one or two per area, about two to three months apart.
- How long does it last?
- Fat cells that are removed do not usually return. Remaining fat cells can still grow if you gain weight.
- Is it a weight-loss treatment?
- No. It reduces small, stubborn pockets of fat in people near a healthy weight. It does not treat obesity.
What is Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis)?
Fat freezing, or cryolipolysis, uses controlled cooling to reduce a pocket of fat. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than skin, nerves and muscle, so they can be cooled to a point where they are damaged while the skin around them is spared.
The treated cells are then cleared gradually by the body's natural process over several weeks. It is used for contouring a small bulge, not to lose weight, and it suits a pinchable roll of fat in someone near a healthy weight.
What it can help with
- Targets a bulge
Reduces a pocket of fat that diet and exercise have not shifted.
- No surgery
No cuts, no anaesthetic and no stitches.
- No recovery time
You can go straight back to normal activity.
- Gradual and natural
Fat reduces over weeks, so the change looks natural.
- Long-lasting
Treated fat cells do not usually return.
Areas we treat
- Upper and lower tummyThe most common area; one or two applicators per side.
- Love handles (flanks)Often treated alongside the tummy for a smoother outline.
- Back and bra lineFor small rolls that show through clothes.
- Inner and outer thighsDone in a smaller applicator; takes careful planning.
- Upper armsFor small pockets of fat; skin laxity matters here.
- Under the chinFor a double chin made of fat, with a small applicator. See the double chin page.
How does it work?
- Applicator
A gel pad and a cooling applicator are placed on the area, and the fat is drawn gently into it.
- Cooling
The tissue is cooled to a controlled temperature for about 35 to 60 minutes.
- Cell damage
The cold damages fat cells in the pinch, while the skin is protected.
- Clearing
Over the next weeks the body's immune system clears the damaged cells.
- Reduction
The layer of fat in the area becomes thinner over two to three months.
What happens during a session?
- Assessment
The doctor reviews your health, weight and the fat in the area, and takes measurements and photographs.
- Marking
The area to treat is marked, and a protective gel pad is placed on the skin.
- Cooling
The applicator draws in the fat and cools it for 35 to 60 minutes. You can read or use your phone.
- Massage
When the applicator is removed, the area is massaged for a few minutes. It feels firm, like a frozen lump.
- Review
Photographs and measurements are repeated at about 8 to 12 weeks.
Who is a good candidate?
- A pinchable bulge of fat on the lower or upper tummy
- Love handles (flanks) or bra-line and back fat
- Inner thighs, outer thighs or the upper arms
- Fat under the chin (double chin) in selected people
- People near a healthy weight with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle
Is fat freezing (cryolipolysis) safe for Indian skin?
Cooling acts on the fat under the skin and not on skin pigment, so fat freezing is generally suitable for Indian skin. Indian bodies often carry fat around the abdomen, so a careful check of the type of fat is important: cryolipolysis treats the layer under the skin, not the deeper fat around the organs, which does not respond. The doctor checks that you can pinch the fat and are a suitable candidate. Temporary redness and bruising can show on lighter skin; dark marks are uncommon.
Who should delay or avoid it?
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Cold-related conditions such as cryoglobulinaemia, cold urticaria or Raynaud's disease
- A hernia in or near the area
- Loose, saggy skin that is not mainly fat
- A BMI well above the healthy range, or if you hope to lose weight
- An active infection, cold sore or open wound on the area
- Open wounds, a skin condition or poor circulation in the area
The doctor checks your medicines and health before any procedure and may advise waiting or a different treatment.
Fat freezing vs radiofrequency contouring vs EMS vs liposuction
| Fat freezing | Radiofrequency contouring | EMS body sculpting | Liposuction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Cools and reduces a pocket of fat | Heats skin and fat to firm and smooth | Contracts muscle to tone and build | Removes fat surgically |
| Suited to | Small stubborn bulges | Loose skin and cellulite | Weak or soft abdomen and buttocks | Larger or stubborn fat pockets |
| Sessions | 1 to 2 per area | Usually 6 to 8 | Usually 4 to 6 | One operation |
| Downtime | A few days of tenderness | None | None | One to two weeks, with compression |
| How fast | Builds over 2 to 3 months | Gradual over the course | Gradual over weeks | Visible after swelling settles |
| Needs anaesthetic | No | No | No | Yes |
Side effects and risks
Common and short-lived
- Cold, pulling and pinching during the first minutes
- Redness, swelling and bruising in the treated area
- Numbness or tingling that can last a few weeks
- Tenderness and soreness, sometimes with a feeling of fullness
Uncommon
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated area grows firmer and larger some months after treatment; it needs further treatment, often liposuction
- Longer-lasting numbness or nerve discomfort
- Skin changes, blistering or frostbite-like injury if the skin is not protected
- A visible dip or uneven contour
Call the clinic on +91 90434 09465 if anything worries you after a session.
Results: what to expect
You may see a change from about four weeks, and most of the effect shows by two to three months. The change is a gradual thinning of the fat in the treated area, not a dramatic transformation. The number of sessions needed depends on the area and the amount of fat. Results last longer if your weight stays steady, since the remaining fat cells can still enlarge.
Does it hurt?
You feel strong pulling and cold for the first few minutes, then the area goes numb. After the massage, some people feel a sharp ache or cramp for a short while. Afterwards the area can feel numb, tender or sore for a few days to a few weeks.
Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis) cost in Chennai
The cost depends on your skin and your plan. What decides it:
- The number of areas treated.
- The size of the applicator used for each area.
- The number of sessions planned for each area.
- Whether you pair it with skin tightening or muscle toning.
At Chamak Clinic, Kandigai
Price after consultation
Depends on the area and the plan
- Consultation ₹500, paid at the clinic
- Your full price and number of sessions are told to you before treatment
- Treatments are billed at the clinic
Who does it
Dr Rohini K
How to prepare
- Keep your weight steady in the weeks before.
- Wear loose clothing on the day.
- Eat a light meal first, as you will be seated for a while.
- Tell the doctor about cold sensitivity, hernias and medicines.
Aftercare
- Walk and return to normal activity straight away.
- Expect numbness and tenderness for some days; simple pain relief usually helps.
- Massage gently only if the doctor advises.
- Drink water and keep to a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Call the clinic if the area becomes very painful, discoloured or blistered.
Home care: Body & bath on Chamak
Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis): questions
Is fat freezing the same as liposuction?
No. Fat freezing is non-surgical and removes a small amount. Liposuction removes more fat in one session but needs anaesthesia and recovery.
Will I lose weight?
No. The amount of fat removed is small. It shapes a bulge and does not change the number on the scale in a meaningful way.
What happens to the destroyed fat?
The body clears the damaged cells through its normal process over several weeks, so no special diet is needed.
Can the fat come back?
The treated cells do not usually return. If you gain weight, the remaining fat cells, in treated and untreated areas, can enlarge.
What is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia?
It is a rare side effect where the treated area becomes larger and firmer some months after treatment, instead of smaller. It does not go away on its own, and treatment, often liposuction, is needed. The doctor tells you about this risk before you start.
Can I have it after pregnancy?
Yes, once you have stopped breastfeeding and your weight is stable. It does not tighten the loose skin that pregnancy can leave.
Does it work on cellulite or loose skin?
No. It treats fat only. Loose skin and cellulite respond better to radiofrequency contouring.
Does the numbness last?
It usually settles within a few weeks. Rarely, it lasts longer.
Can I exercise after a session?
Yes, light activity is fine the same day. A healthy lifestyle helps keep the result.
How do I know if I am suitable?
The doctor pinches the area. If there is a clear roll of fat and you are near a healthy weight, it may suit you. If not, you may be advised against it.
Do I need a consultation before a treatment?
Yes. Every treatment starts with a consultation. The doctor examines you and advises a procedure only if it suits you; many can be done the same day.
Related treatments
All treatmentsNot sure if fat freezing (cryolipolysis) is right for you?
A consultation comes first: Dr Rohini K examines you, explains the options that suit you, and tells you the plan and the price before anything is done.
Far from Chennai? Consult a skin doctor online: photos and a chat, and a prescription when one is right.