These three non-surgical body sculpting treatments attack fat through completely different mechanisms — and choosing the right one depends entirely on where your fat is, how much of it there is, and what else you want to achieve in that area. Cryotherapy freezes and permanently eliminates discrete fat pockets (best for the abdomen, flanks, inner thighs). Cavitation + RF disrupts fat cells with ultrasound while simultaneously tightening skin — best for larger surface areas where skin laxity is a concern. Liquid Lipo (Kybella) is an injectable acid that destroys fat cells on contact — specifically designed for the chin and jowls where applicator-based treatments can't reach.
Cryotherapy Body Sculpting — How It Works
Cryotherapy body sculpting (sometimes called cryolipolysis, or CoolSculpting by brand name) uses controlled cooling applicators to freeze fat cells to approximately -11°C, the temperature at which adipocytes (fat cells) undergo apoptosis — programmed cell death — while the overlying skin and surrounding tissue remain unharmed. Fat cells are uniquely vulnerable to cold at temperatures that skin tolerates without injury.
Over the 60 to 90 days following a session, the body's lymphatic system gradually clears the dead fat cells from the treated area. The reduction in fat volume is permanent — those specific cells are gone and cannot regenerate. Clinical studies consistently show 20–25% fat reduction per treated area per session, which makes cryotherapy one of the most significant non-surgical fat reduction tools available.
The treatment is best suited for discrete, pinchable fat deposits — tissue that can be drawn into the applicator cup. It works exceptionally well on the lower abdomen (the "pouch"), flanks, inner thighs, bra fat, and upper arms. Skin tightening is not a primary effect of cryotherapy, which is important to note if loose skin is a concern alongside the fat.
At Solace, cryotherapy body sculpting is priced at $500 per area per session. Most patients need one to two sessions per area to reach their goal. Results are typically visible beginning at four weeks, with full results at 90 days.
Cavitation + RF Body Contouring — How It Works
Cavitation + RF (radiofrequency) combines two distinct energy modalities in a single treatment session. The cavitation component uses low-frequency ultrasound waves to create microscopic bubbles in fat tissue — these bubbles expand and implode in a process that disrupts fat cell membranes, releasing their contents into the surrounding tissue for removal via the lymphatic system. The RF component delivers controlled heat energy into the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue, contracting existing collagen fibers and stimulating new collagen production — producing genuine skin tightening alongside the fat disruption.
The key clinical advantage over cryotherapy is the skin tightening effect. For patients with mild to moderate skin laxity — particularly in the abdomen after weight loss or pregnancy, or on the thighs and arms where loose skin is a concern — Cavitation + RF addresses both the fat and the skin in the same session. Cryotherapy reduces fat effectively but doesn't tighten; Cavitation + RF does both.
The tradeoff: results build progressively over a series. A single Cavitation + RF session produces visible changes, but the full benefit requires six to ten sessions for optimal results, spaced one to two weeks apart. The upside is that patients often see immediate post-session inch loss as the lymphatic drainage begins — making it one of the faster-looking treatments in the short term.
At Solace, Cavitation + RF is priced at $500 per session. Series packages are available. Treatment duration is 45 to 60 minutes per area.
Liquid Lipo (Kybella) — How It Works
Liquid Lipo uses deoxycholic acid — a naturally occurring bile acid that the body uses to digest dietary fat — as an injectable agent that destroys fat cells on contact. When injected directly into submental fat (the double chin) or jowl tissue, deoxycholic acid disrupts the fat cell membrane, causing cell death and permanent fat reduction in the injected area.
The double chin is the FDA-approved indication for Kybella (branded deoxycholic acid), and it's the treatment's strongest use case for a clear anatomical reason: no applicator-based treatment can effectively treat the small, precisely defined fat deposits under the chin. Cryotherapy applicators don't fit; Cavitation + RF devices can't achieve precise enough localization. The injection delivers the active ingredient exactly where it needs to go.
Two to three sessions are typically needed, spaced four to six weeks apart. The tradeoff is a distinctive recovery: significant swelling and tenderness in the treated area for three to seven days after each session, which reflects the active fat cell destruction occurring in the tissue. The swelling is temporary and a sign that the treatment is working. Long-term results are permanent — the destroyed cells do not regenerate.
At Solace, Liquid Lipo is priced at $350 per session.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cryotherapy | Cavitation + RF | Liquid Lipo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Controlled freezing | Ultrasound cavitation + RF heat | Deoxycholic acid injection |
| Best areas | Abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms | Abdomen, thighs, arms, back | Double chin, jowls |
| Skin tightening? | Minimal | Yes — significant | Minimal |
| Fat reduction per session | 20–25% per area | Builds over series | 20–25% per session |
| Sessions needed | 1–2 per area | 6–10 for full result | 2–3 |
| Downtime | Minimal (redness, tenderness 1–2 days) | None | Swelling 3–7 days per session |
| Immediate visible change? | After 4–8 weeks | Same day (lymphatic drainage) | After swelling resolves (2–4 weeks) |
| Full results visible | 90 days | After full series (8–12 weeks) | 4–6 weeks after final session |
| Results are permanent? | Yes — fat cells destroyed | Yes — but requires maintenance | Yes — fat cells destroyed |
| Solace price | $500/area | $500/session | $350/session |
How to Choose the Right Treatment
Choose Cryotherapy if:
You have a specific, pinchable fat pocket — lower abdomen, flanks, inner thighs, bra bulge, upper arms — that has resisted diet and exercise. You want significant (20–25%) permanent fat reduction in that area in one to two sessions without a long series commitment. Your skin has reasonable elasticity and tightening is not your primary concern. You're willing to wait 60–90 days for full results.
Choose Cavitation + RF if:
You want to address both fat and skin laxity in the same treatment course. Your concern involves a larger surface area — the entire abdomen, full thighs, or an area where loose skin is as much of an issue as the fat beneath it. You want to see progressive, cumulative improvement over a series of sessions. Patients who've lost significant weight and have generalized laxity typically get better outcomes from Cavitation + RF than from cryotherapy, which primarily targets fat without addressing skin.
Choose Liquid Lipo if:
Your target is the submental area — double chin, neck fat, or jowl area. No applicator-based treatment reaches these anatomical locations as effectively. If you've been bothered by a double chin and don't want surgery, Liquid Lipo is the standard of care. Results are permanent, and the two to three session investment produces a dramatically different jawline profile for most patients.
Can You Combine All Three?
Yes — and for patients undertaking a comprehensive body transformation, combining all three modalities strategically is a common approach. A typical combination protocol: Liquid Lipo for the double chin, Cryotherapy for specific fat pockets (flanks, lower abdomen), and Cavitation + RF for larger areas with skin laxity (full abdomen, thighs). Each treatment can be scheduled simultaneously or sequentially. Dr. Flávio designs body contouring protocols based on your specific goals, anatomy, and timeline.
Important: These Are Not Weight Loss Treatments
All three treatments are designed for body contouring — reshaping specific areas — not for overall weight reduction. The best candidates are already at or near their goal weight and want to address stubborn fat deposits that haven't responded to lifestyle changes. Using these treatments as a substitute for weight loss in a patient with significant overall excess weight produces disappointing results and is not the appropriate application. If weight loss is your primary goal, Solace's Medical Weight Loss program with semaglutide or tirzepatide is the appropriate starting point.
Fort Myers Pricing at Solace
- Cryotherapy Body Sculpting: $500/area per session. 1–2 sessions per area typically needed.
- Cavitation + RF: $500/session. Series of 6–10 sessions for full results.
- Liquid Lipo (Kybella): $350/session. 2–3 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Clinical reference: American Society of Plastic Surgeons on non-surgical body contouring options.
ASPS — Non-Surgical Body ContouringFrequently Asked Questions
Can these treatments replace weight loss?
No — and this is the most important thing to understand before booking. All three treatments are body contouring tools, not weight loss treatments. They reduce fat in specific, targeted areas by inches and contour profile — they will not produce scale movement comparable to caloric deficit or GLP-1 medications. The best candidates are already at or near goal weight and want to address specific localized deposits that have persisted despite weight loss and exercise. If weight loss is your primary goal, Solace's Medical Weight Loss program is the right starting point.
Which treatment is best for a double chin?
Liquid Lipo (Kybella) is the standard choice for double chin fat — it's the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment specifically for submental fat, and the injection format allows precise targeting of the chin area that applicator-based treatments can't match. Most patients need two to three sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart. The swelling after each session (three to seven days) is the main recovery consideration, but the permanent results justify the process for most patients who've been bothered by their chin for years.
Which is best for the abdomen?
It depends on what you're treating in the abdomen. For a discrete lower abdominal "pouch" — a pinchable fat pocket with reasonable skin tone — cryotherapy delivers the most significant permanent reduction in one to two sessions. For the full abdomen, especially with loose skin after weight loss or pregnancy, Cavitation + RF is the better choice because it addresses both the fat layer and the overlying skin simultaneously. Many patients do cryotherapy on the flanks (love handles) alongside a Cavitation + RF series on the full abdomen for comprehensive results.
Which produces the fastest visible results?
Cavitation + RF produces the most immediate visible change — many patients see measurable inch loss the same day as their first session, as the lymphatic system begins clearing disrupted fat cells quickly. This is partly why it's a popular "event prep" treatment. Cryotherapy and Liquid Lipo both require 4–8 weeks before the full effect is visible, as the body's lymphatic system clears the dead cells gradually over that period. However, cryotherapy's final result (at 90 days) is typically more dramatic per area than what a single Cavitation + RF session produces.
Can all three be done in the same treatment plan?
Yes — combining all three is a legitimate and effective comprehensive body contouring strategy. A common combination: Liquid Lipo for the chin, cryotherapy for specific fat pockets (flanks, lower abdomen), and Cavitation + RF for larger areas with skin laxity (full abdomen, thighs). Treatments can be scheduled simultaneously (on the same day, different areas) or sequentially over several weeks. Dr. Flávio designs body contouring protocols that integrate all available modalities based on your specific anatomy and goals.
What does each treatment feel like?
Cryotherapy: the applicator feels intensely cold for the first few minutes, then the area goes numb as the tissue chills — most patients describe it as uncomfortable at the start and then progressively easier. The most notable sensation is after the session, when the treated area is massaged to break up the frozen fat tissue — this can be uncomfortable but takes only two to three minutes. Cavitation + RF: generally pleasant — a warm buzzing sensation over the treated area. Some patients find it relaxing. No significant discomfort. Liquid Lipo: the injections sting temporarily; the more notable experience is the post-treatment swelling, which peaks at 48–72 hours and fully resolves within a week.
Related Reading
Cryotherapy Body Sculpting · Cavitation + RF · Liquid Lipo · Medical Weight Loss · All Body Sculpting