Cryolipolysis at a glance
- Session1 to 2 hours
- AnaesthesiaNone
- Social downtimeNone
- Compression garmentNone
- ResultAt 3 months
- Price€500 per area
Cryolipolysis removes localised fat with cold, without surgery, needles or anaesthesia. An applicator draws in the area and cools it: fat cells, which are more sensitive to cold than the skin, die and are then eliminated naturally. It is not a way to lose weight, but an alternative to liposuction for small pockets of fat. The session lasts 1 to 2 hours at the Cannes practice, with no social downtime; the result appears gradually and is assessed at 3 months.
Price: €500 per area, with reduced rates for several areas.
Who is it for?
Cryolipolysis is for women and men of stable weight who still have a localised pocket of fat that exercise and diet have not shifted, and who prefer to avoid surgery. The skin must be of good quality: cryolipolysis does not tighten it.
At the consultation, Dr Médard de Chardon checks that cryolipolysis is appropriate; if there is more fat or the skin is loose, liposuction is more suitable.
Cryolipolysis or liposuction?
| Cryolipolysis | Liposuction | |
|---|---|---|
| Who for | Small pockets of fat, good-quality skin | Larger pockets, several areas, fine sculpting |
| Principle | Cold: fat cells die and are eliminated | Fat suctioned through fine cannulas |
| Setting and anaesthesia | Practice, no anaesthesia | Clinique Oxford, sedation or general anaesthesia |
| Social downtime | None | 7 days off work |
| Result | Gradual, at 3 months; sometimes a 2nd session | Final at 3 to 6 months |
| Price | €500 per area | €2,500 to €15,000 |
How does cryolipolysis work?
- SuctionAn applicator is placed on the area; gentle suction draws the fat between its plates.
- ColdThe plates cool the skin to about −10 °C at the surface; a membrane protects the skin.
- ApoptosisWhen exposed to cold for long enough, the fat cells die, while the skin, muscles and nerves are spared.
- EliminationOver the following months, the body naturally eliminates these cells: the fat layer becomes thinner.
Before: a localised fat deposit under the skin.
This principle, “selective cryolipolysis”, was discovered by two Harvard dermatologists, Drs Manstein and Anderson, and published in 2008. Dr Médard de Chardon uses CoolSculpting, a CE-marked medical device cleared by the US FDA since 2010; non-medical devices are less effective.
Which areas can be treated?
Broadly the same as for liposuction: under the chin (double chin), the arms, abdomen, love handles, back rolls, saddlebags (outer thighs), inner thighs, inner knees, and the male chest (adipomastia).
All areas
In blue-green, the areas cryolipolysis can treat; the back and the male chest are not shown. Tap an area to show it on its own.
See the cryolipolysis before and after photos
What happens during cryolipolysis?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes: Dr Médard de Chardon checks that cryolipolysis is appropriate (or whether liposuction would be better), looks for contraindications and chooses the areas.
- SessionScheduled for another date, at the practice: the surgeon marks the areas and chooses the applicators; 1 to 2 hours depending on the number of areas, without anaesthesia. Wear comfortable clothes and bring something to pass the time (a book, music).
- After the sessionMassage of the area and a moisturising cream; no compression garment and no anticoagulant.
- Check-up at 3 monthsA 2nd session, after 3 months, if the result is insufficient.
Is cryolipolysis painful?
Only slightly. In the first few minutes, the cold and the suction cause a pinching sensation and intense cold, which fades as the area goes numb. No anaesthesia is needed.
What is the recovery like?
- Social life: back to normal the same day, with no social downtime; exercise possible from the next day.
- Treated area: redness, sometimes bruising, and numbness for about a week.
- Result: the fat decreases gradually over the following 3 months.
Where will you be?
14 days after the session
What are the risks?
- Insufficient result: this is the main risk; a 2nd session increases the result.
- No result: about 2% of patients do not respond to cryolipolysis; if a session has had no effect at all, liposuction is the right option.
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia: rarely, the treated fat thickens instead of shrinking; it is corrected by liposuction.
- Frostbite: a very low risk, as a sensor stops the device if cooling is excessive. No change in blood tests (lipids, liver) has been reported.
Contraindications: cryoglobulinaemia, insufficient skin quality in the area; cold urticaria, severe Raynaud’s disease, a hernia in the area, pregnancy.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
- In practice in Cannes since 2011; member of SOFCEP, SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS.
- He also performs HD liposuction and can tell you which technique suits your figure.
How much does cryolipolysis cost in Cannes?
€500 per area
With reduced rates for several areas. The consultation is free. Aesthetic cryolipolysis is not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie). For comparison: liposuction, €2,500 to €15,000.
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about cryolipolysis
Does cryolipolysis make you lose weight?
No. It removes a localised pocket of fat; it does not make you lose weight and does not replace diet or exercise.
When can you see the result of cryolipolysis?
The fat decreases gradually; the result is assessed at 3 months.
How many cryolipolysis sessions are needed?
One session per area is often enough; a 2nd session is offered if the result is insufficient.
Do you need to wear a compression garment after cryolipolysis?
No. No compression garment and no anticoagulant; just a massage and a moisturising cream after the session.
Can you go straight back to your usual activities after cryolipolysis?
Yes, the same day, and exercise from the next day. The area may stay red, numb or bruised for about a week.
Cryolipolysis or liposuction: which should you choose?
Cryolipolysis suits small pockets of fat on good-quality skin, without surgery. For larger pockets, several areas or fine sculpting, liposuction gives a more defined result.
How much does cryolipolysis cost in Cannes?
€500 per area, with reduced rates for several areas. The consultation is free.