Fat Freezing (Cryolipolysis): How It Works, Results, Safety and Cost

Fat freezing, also called cryolipolysis (in Dutch: cryolipolyse or vet bevriezen), is a non-surgical treatment that cools a pocket of stubborn fat until the fat cells break down and are cleared by your body over the following weeks. It reshapes a specific area; it is not a weight-loss treatment. Lana Skyn offers fat freezing with the SHINE XL system, a CE-marked and FDA-cleared cryolipolysis device, at our clinics in Amsterdam-Noord and Utrecht. Every treatment starts with a consultation, so we can tell you honestly whether it will work for your goal before you spend anything.

At a glance

Best for: a soft, pinchable pocket of fat on the stomach or under the chin that diet and exercise don't shift
Not for: overall weight loss or people with obesity
Typical fat reduction: clinical studies report an average of roughly 15–28% of the fat in the treated area per session, measured around four months later
Results visible: first changes from about 3 weeks, full result at 2–4 months
Sessions: one cooling cup per visit; many people treat an area once, others choose a course of three visits six weeks apart
Treatment time: about 1 hour, plus your consultation beforehand
Downtime: none
Price: €149 per treatment, or €297 for a course of three on the same area — see Amsterdam or Utrecht

How does fat freezing work?

Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than the skin, muscle and nerves around them. During a session, a cooling cup is placed on the area and gently draws the fat pocket in, then cools it to a controlled low temperature for around an hour. The cold damages the fat cells without harming the skin. Over the following weeks your immune system breaks the damaged cells down and removes them naturally.

Because fat cells are removed rather than shrunk, the result in that area is long-lasting. The remaining cells can still grow if you gain weight, which is why fat freezing works best for people whose weight is already stable.

Who is fat freezing suitable for?

Fat freezing is usually a good fit if you are at or near a weight you are comfortable with, have a specific area of stubborn, pinchable fat on your stomach or under your chin, have reasonably firm skin over that area, want a gradual, natural-looking change, and are 18 or older (our minimum age for all treatments).

Fat freezing is not suitable, or needs a doctor's advice first, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; have a cold-related condition such as Raynaud's phenomenon, cold urticaria, cryoglobulinaemia or cold agglutinin disease; have a hernia in or near the area; have reduced sensation or nerve problems there; have an inflammatory skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis on the area; or have a BMI in the obese range, because the treatment cannot reduce overall body fat.

We go through your health history in the intake form before any treatment. If fat freezing is not right for you, we will say so and, where we can, suggest what might help instead.

Which areas can be treated?

At Lana Skyn we currently treat the abdomen (upper and lower stomach) and the double chin, using a smaller cup for the chin. One cup is placed per visit, so if you want to treat both the upper and lower stomach, that is two visits. Whether an area is suitable depends on whether there is enough soft, pinchable fat for the cup to draw in, so we always check this at your consultation.

Does fat freezing really work?

Yes, for the right person and the right area. Clinical reviews summarised by the Cleveland Clinic report an average fat-layer reduction of 15–28% in the treated area, measured around four months after a single treatment. That is a noticeable change in how clothes fit and how the area looks, but it is not dramatic like surgery. If someone promises to "melt away" a whole stomach in one session, be sceptical.

What makes the difference is candidate selection. Fat freezing works well when the fat is soft, localised and close to the surface. It does not work on firm fat around the organs (the hard, rounded belly type), on loose skin, or as a substitute for losing weight. This is why we measure and photograph the area at your consultation: it lets us tell you what a realistic result looks like for you, and it lets you see the change at your next visit rather than guessing.

What happens during a fat freezing session at Lana Skyn?

Fat freezing can be combined back-to-back with other treatments at the clinic, such as a facial or laser hair removal, in the same appointment.

Consultation, measurements and photos.

We look at the area, check that the fat is pinchable enough, take your measurements and photos, discuss what you're hoping for and go through your intake form. Ask everything.

When will I see results, and how long do they last?

Most people notice the first change after about three weeks, with the clearest result at two to three months. Full results can take up to four months because the body clears the damaged fat cells gradually. The treated area stays reduced as long as your weight is stable.

If you want more reduction on the same area, we leave six weeks between sessions so the body has cleared the first round before the next. Our course of three visits is built around that interval.

Is fat freezing safe? Side effects explained honestly

Cryolipolysis is a well-established treatment with a good safety record when performed on suitable candidates with a certified device. Common short-term side effects are redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, tingling or numbness in the treated area, usually settling within days to a few weeks.

A rare side effect worth knowing about is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), where the treated area gradually becomes larger and firmer rather than smaller, usually noticed a few months later. It is uncommon and reported more often in men. It is not dangerous but does not resolve on its own and would need a separate treatment such as liposuction to correct. We mention it because you deserve the full picture, not because it is likely.

Clinical fat freezing should not be confused with home "fat freezing" belts or wraps, which cannot reach the controlled temperatures a certified device does.

Why we chose the SHINE XL

We chose the SHINE XL because it is CE-marked and FDA-cleared, and because it is comfortable: the cooling is controlled and the cup is gentle, so an hour under it is something people can relax through rather than endure. Safety came first in the decision, comfort second, and both matter when you are asking someone to lie still for an hour.

How much does fat freezing cost?

At Lana Skyn, fat freezing costs €149 per treatment (one cooling cup on one area), the same in Amsterdam and Utrecht. A course of three treatments on the same area, six weeks apart, is €297, which works out at €99 per visit. Every price includes your consultation, measurements and photos. A €20 deposit secures your appointment and is deducted from the treatment; we ask 24 hours' notice to cancel or move. Ask us about a combined price if you book more than one treatment.

For comparison, single-zone fat freezing in the Netherlands is typically advertised at around €175–€250 per zone. What matters more than the headline price is whether the clinic assesses you honestly first and uses a certified device — a cheap session on an unsuitable area is money wasted.

Dishanti, our staff member at facial appointment.jpg

Aftercare after fat freezing

Expect the area to feel numb, tender or firm for one to two weeks; this is normal. Gentle massage of the area in the first days is fine. Drink plenty of water and keep active — normal exercise helps your body clear the treated cells. You can shower, work and exercise straight away. Contact us if pain is getting worse after a week rather than better, or if the area looks larger after two to three months.

Where can you have fat freezing with Lana Skyn?

Lana Skyn is an aesthetic and laser clinic with two locations. Our Amsterdam-Noord clinic is open daily with free parking, where fat freezing is performed by Lana, Dishanti and Solange. Our Utrecht clinic is open on Sundays, where Lana performs it personally. Alongside fat freezing we offer laser hair removal, tattoo removal, skin boosters, facials and injectables, so if your goal is broader than one area we can plan it together.

Frequently asked questions about fat freezing

Does fat freezing hurt?

The first five to ten minutes feel very cold with a pulling or tingling sensation, then the area goes numb. The short massage afterwards is briefly uncomfortable. Most people describe it as odd rather than painful.

How many sessions do I need?

Many people see a satisfying result from one session per area. If you want more reduction, our course of three visits, six weeks apart, is €297. We give a realistic estimate at your consultation rather than selling a course you may not need.

How much fat does it remove?

On average about 15–28% of the fat layer in the treated area per session, based on published clinical data. It changes shape rather than weight.Is fat freezing permanent? The fat cells that are removed do not come back. Remaining cells can still enlarge with weight gain, so results last best with a stable weight.

Is fat freezing permanent? The fat cells that are removed do not come back. Remaining cells can still enlarge with weight gain, so results last best with a stable weight. Can I lose weight with fat freezing? No. It is a body-contouring treatment for specific areas, not a weight-loss method, and it is not suitable for obesity. What is the difference between fat freezing and CoolSculpting? CoolSculpting is a brand name for one cryolipolysis device. Fat freezing and cryolipolysis are the general terms for the treatment. At Lana Skyn we use the SHINE XL, a CE-marked and FDA-cleared cryolipolysis system. Can I have fat freezing on my double chin? Yes. We use a smaller cooling cup designed for the area under the chin. Can I treat my whole stomach in one visit? One cooling cup is placed per visit. Upper and lower abdomen are treated as two separate areas, so that would be two visits. Is there downtime? No. You can return to work, driving and exercise the same day. Temporary numbness, redness or bruising is normal. Can I have fat freezing if I'm pregnant? No. Fat freezing is not performed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Where can I book? In Amsterdam-Noord, open daily, or in Utrecht on Sundays. Book online or WhatsApp +31 6 28 27 33 87.

Contact

If you have an area that bothers you and want an honest opinion on whether fat freezing will help, book a consultation at Lana Skyn. We measure and assess the area, answer every question and only recommend treatment if we think you will be happy with the result.

info@lanaskun.com

+316 282 733 87