Post-treatment advice for the client
Aftercare is just as important as the pre-treatment advice to get the best results. It is important that you inform the client of potential side effects, contra-actions and downtime needed before completing the treatment. This is often presented on a consent form (paper-based or electronic) signed and dated by the client prior to the treatment commencing.
Aftercare advice includes-
- Fat reducing treatments are a fat-metabolizing and detoxifying procedure. Therefore, the most important post-care advice is to maintain adequate hydration levels.
- Eat a low-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-sugar diet for 72 hours, to aid in fat metabolism.
- Cardio exercise is also encouraged to improve detox.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine for 72 hours.
- Avoid saunas, hot tubs, or extreme temperatures for 24 hours.
- Showering and cleansing the treatment area is allowed immediately
- Dry body brushing will decrease the appearance of cellulite and aid elimination
Post treatment contra-action advice
A contra-action is a negative, unwanted reaction after a treatment, these can include-
- Increase in the need to urinate. This is due to the extra water intake and the process of eradication of fat from the body
- Clients may experience an increase in energy levels or may feel restless. This is the body burning the excess fat that has now been released as energy so make the best use of this and support your treatment with some cardiovascular exercise such as jog on the spot, dancing, skipping or anything to raise your heart rate.
- Sensation of heat: This is caused by the energy produced from the broken fat cells as they are imploding and will stop soon after treatment. Stinging on the skin surface. This happens where the nerves located in the epidermis react with the cooling gel. This will not cause major discomfort and will cease after treatment.
- Discomfort during treatment. It is normal to experience a little discomfort as we do apply pressure during treatment, however if it is too much advise your client to let you know so you can either reduce the energy level or reduce your pressure.
- Redness on the surface of the skin. This is heat related erythema and will usually vanish within a couple of hours after treatment.
- Your circumference may increase after treatment. This is temporary swelling due to trauma to the subcutaneous fat and will usually subside within 24 hours.
- Mild Bruising. Although rare it is worth mentioning as it can occur.
- After a cryolipolysis treatment the skin will feel cold to the touch and will slowly warm over a few hours. The skin may also appear red as the tissue warms up. If the treatment area starts to feel hot, painful and blisters begin to develop, the client should seek medical advice as this is indicative or frostbite or ice burns. The client should not pick the blisters as this may cause infection or scarring. With the proper care these should heal quickly.
Recently, in the news, a rare side effect has been reported. It is called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) where the adipose (subcutaneous fat) increases in the area treated following a Cryolipolysis treatment.
It is estimated that the chances of PAH occurring is is about 0.0051%, or about 1 in 20,000 clients treated. There is also no known identification of who is more susceptible to this condition.
Here are some links to some medical studies for further reading-
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia After Cryolipolysis medical study (2014)