You eat well. You exercise. But there is still a pocket of fat sitting on your stomach, your love handles, or your thighs that will not move no matter what you do.
That is exactly what fat freezing is designed for.
Fat freezing (the clinical name is cryolipolysis) is a non-surgical treatment that uses controlled cooling to destroy fat cells in specific areas. No needles, no anaesthesia, no downtime. The fat cells break down and your body removes them naturally over the following weeks.
At Hourglass By Design in Clarkson, Perth, fat freezing is one of our most requested treatments. We specialise in non-invasive body sculpting, which means this is not an add-on to a beauty salon menu. It is a core part of what we do, and we know how to get the best results from it.
The science behind fat freezing is straightforward. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than the tissue around them. When you cool them to a specific temperature, they crystallise and die. Your skin, nerves, and muscles stay completely unaffected.
A gel pad is placed on the treatment area to protect the skin. Then a specially shaped applicator is positioned over the fat. The applicator uses suction to draw the tissue in and begins cooling. The fat cells underneath are brought to a temperature where they crystallise and start to break down.
Once the applicator is removed, the treated area is massaged for a couple of minutes. This step has been shown to improve results and help break up the crystallised fat cells.
Over the next 8 to 12 weeks, your body’s lymphatic system processes and removes those dead cells. You are not losing fat on the day of the treatment. You are starting a process that plays out over the following months.
The fat cells that are destroyed do not regenerate. Once they are gone, they are gone. That is what makes cryolipolysis different from weight loss, where fat cells shrink but stick around.
Fat freezing is effective on areas where soft, pinchable fat sits close to the surface.
The most common areas people treat include the stomach (both upper and lower), love handles and flanks, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, bra line and back fat, under the chin (double chin), and the area under the buttocks (sometimes called the banana roll).
Different applicator shapes and sizes are used depending on the area and the amount of fat present. This is why the consultation matters. Not every body is the same, and the applicator needs to fit the area properly to get a good result.
If you are unsure whether your specific concern is treatable, that is exactly what the initial assessment is for. Fei will look at the area, assess the fat, and tell you honestly whether fat freezing is the right approach or whether another treatment would work better.
Fat freezing is not a weight loss treatment. That is worth repeating because it is the most common misunderstanding about cryolipolysis.
It is designed for people who are already at or near their goal weight but have specific pockets of stubborn fat that will not respond to diet and exercise. If you can pinch the fat with your fingers, it is likely treatable.
Good candidates for fat freezing are people who are within about 10 to 15 kilograms of their target weight, have soft fat in a defined area rather than generalised weight gain, have reasonable expectations (this is refinement, not transformation), and want a non-surgical option with no recovery time.
Fat freezing is not suitable for everyone. You should avoid this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have conditions where cold exposure is dangerous (such as cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria), if you have Raynaud’s disease, if the area has significant loose skin rather than fat, or if you have open wounds or active skin conditions in the treatment area.
A proper consultation will screen for all of this before you start. If a clinic skips the consultation and books you straight in, that is a red flag.
Eat well and stay hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment. There is no strict preparation required, but your body responds better when it is well-nourished and hydrated. Wear comfortable, loose clothing to your appointment
Each applicator placement takes between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the area. The first few minutes are the most intense. You will feel a strong suction as the applicator grips the skin, followed by an intense cold sensation. Most people find this uncomfortable for about five minutes, and then the area goes numb.
After that, you can relax, read, scroll your phone, or just close your eyes. It is not a painful experience once the initial cold settles.
When the applicator is removed, the treated area is massaged for a couple of minutes. This step has been shown to improve results and help break up the crystallised fat cells.
You can go straight back to your normal routine. Most people return to work, pick up the kids, or go about their day without any interruption. You might experience some redness, mild bruising, swelling, or numbness in the treated area. This is all normal and typically resolves within a few days to a couple of weeks. Some people feel a temporary firmness or slight tenderness in the area as the fat cells break down.
Setting the right expectations is important with fat freezing. You will not walk out of your session looking noticeably different. The process takes time.
For the first two to four weeks, not much changes visually. The fat cells are dying and your body is beginning to process them, but it is happening underneath the surface. Between weeks four and eight, you start to notice changes. Clothes may fit differently and you might see early changes in the mirror. By weeks eight to twelve, the main results are visible. Most people see the biggest difference around the three-month mark. Full results settle by about four months post-treatment.
On average, each session reduces the fat in the treated area by roughly 20 to 25 percent. That is a meaningful change, but it is not dramatic in the way that surgical liposuction is. If you go in expecting subtle refinement, you will be pleased with the results. If you go in expecting a complete transformation from a single session, you will be disappointed.
Most people need between one and three sessions per area to reach their goal.
If you have been researching body sculpting options in Perth, you have probably seen a few different treatments mentioned. Here is how fat freezing compares to the other options we offer at Hourglass By Design.
Both treatments reduce fat, but they work differently. Fat freezing uses cold to destroy fat cells permanently. Fat cavitation uses ultrasound waves to break down fat cells, which your body then processes. Cavitation can work well on larger areas and is sometimes used as a first step before fat freezing to break up denser fat deposits. Some clients benefit from combining both.
Laser lipolysis uses laser energy to break down fat cells. It tends to work well on smaller, more targeted areas. Fat freezing covers a broader surface area per session and is generally better suited to larger pockets of fat. Both are non-invasive with no real downtime.
EMS uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, which helps tone and define muscles. It does not remove fat in the same way that cryolipolysis does. EMS is a great complement to fat freezing. You freeze the fat, then use EMS to build definition in the same area. The combination gives you a much more sculpted result than either treatment alone.
In many cases, a single treatment type will get you where you want to go. But if you want the best possible result, combining treatments often makes more sense. Fat freezing to reduce the fat, RF skin tightening to firm the skin, and EMS to build muscle tone underneath. Fei builds personalised treatment plans that combine the right treatments for your specific goals and body.
There are a lot of clinics in Perth offering fat freezing. The quality of the experience and the results vary significantly.
Hourglass By Design is a specialist non-invasive body sculpting clinic. Every treatment we offer is focused on reshaping and refining your body without surgery. This is not one service buried in a long menu of unrelated beauty treatments. Body sculpting is what we do.
Our clinic is based in Clarkson in Perth’s northern suburbs, making us convenient for clients across Joondalup, Mindarie, Quinns Rocks, Wanneroo, Butler, and the wider northern corridor.
Fei, our body sculpting specialist, assesses every client individually. That means your treatment plan is built around your body, your goals, and the areas you want to target. You get an honest conversation about what fat freezing can realistically do for you, and if another treatment would work better, she will tell you that.
We also offer the full range of complementary treatments. If your results would benefit from adding RF skin tightening, vacuum therapy, HIFU, or EMS alongside your fat freezing sessions, we can build a package that covers everything in one place.
Stay well hydrated for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Eat a balanced, clean diet in the days leading up. This helps your body respond well to the treatment and process the fat cells more efficiently afterward. Avoid heavy meals right before your session.
Drink plenty of water in the days following your treatment. This helps your lymphatic system flush the dead fat cells. Light exercise like walking or gentle movement in the 24 to 48 hours after treatment is helpful. Avoid anything extreme.
Some clinics recommend lymphatic drainage massage after fat freezing to support the elimination process. This is something we can discuss during your consultation.
Maintaining a stable weight after treatment helps preserve your results long term. The fat cells that are destroyed are gone permanently, but the ones that remain can still grow if you put on significant weight. A healthy, consistent lifestyle keeps the results looking their best.
How much does fat freezing cost in Perth?
Pricing depends on the number of areas you want to treat and how many sessions are needed. Most clinics in Perth price per applicator placement. Be cautious of unusually cheap pricing. The equipment quality and practitioner expertise matter, and very low prices usually mean one or both are lacking. We are happy to give you a clear quote during your consultation with no hidden costs.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need between one and three sessions per area. The number depends on how much fat is present and the result you are after. Your consultation will give you a clear idea of what to expect.
Does fat freezing hurt?
The first few minutes are uncomfortable. You feel strong suction and intense cold. After about five minutes, the area goes numb and most people find the rest of the session very manageable. Post-treatment soreness and sensitivity for a few days is common but mild.
Are the results permanent?
Yes, in the sense that the destroyed fat cells do not come back. But the remaining fat cells in the area can still grow if you gain significant weight. Maintaining a stable, healthy lifestyle keeps the results intact.
How is fat freezing different from losing weight?
Weight loss shrinks fat cells throughout your entire body. Fat freezing destroys fat cells in a specific targeted area. It is about reshaping and contouring, not reducing your overall body fat percentage.
Can I treat more than one area at a time?
Yes. Depending on the equipment and the clinic, multiple applicators can be used simultaneously to treat two or more areas in a single session. This is more efficient and reduces overall appointment time.
What is the difference between fat freezing and HIFU?
Fat freezing targets and eliminates fat cells using cold. HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to target deeper tissue layers and is primarily used for skin tightening and contouring rather than fat cell destruction. Some people benefit from both, and we offer both treatments at our clinic.
Is fat freezing safe?
Yes, when performed on suitable candidates with proper equipment by trained practitioners. Cryolipolysis has been extensively studied and has a well-established safety profile. The main side effects are minor and temporary: redness, bruising, numbness, and mild swelling.
How soon can I go back to normal activities?
Immediately. There is no required downtime. Some people experience mild soreness for a few days, which might make very intense exercise uncomfortable, but normal daily activities are completely fine from day one.
Can fat freezing tighten loose skin?
No. Fat freezing removes fat. It does not tighten skin. If loose skin is your primary concern, a treatment like RF skin tightening or HIFU would be more appropriate. In some cases, combining fat freezing with a skin tightening treatment gives the best overall result, and that is something we can plan together during your consultation.
If you have been fighting the same pocket of fat for months or years and it will not budge, fat freezing might be the answer.
Book a consultation at Hourglass By Design in Clarkson. Fei will assess the area, talk you through what is realistically achievable, and build a plan that works for your body and your goals.
Disclaimer
Due to the nature of non-surgical & non-invasive cosmetic treatments, results cannot be guaranteed and will vary from person to person. Factors such as lifestyle, medical history and age can affect both the outcome and longevity of results. These treatments and products are intended for cosmetic purposes only and are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.
