No needle. No scalpel. No scars. But can you really freeze off fat in an instant?

PUBLISHED: 18:23 EST, 30 December 2012 | UPDATED: 16:26 EST, 31 December 2012

As the effects of the festive feeding frenzy become all too evident on our waistlines, many of us are on the lookout for a quick fix to tone those tummies, lose our love handles and tame troublesome thighs.

The new procedure that's causing a buzz is CoolSculpting, a non- invasive, no needle, no scalpel, no scar alternative to liposuction.

Demand for the procedure that sucks up fat and freezes it to death was reported to be at an all-time high in the U.S. last week.

Scroll down for video

Leah Hardy tried new procedure CoolSculpting, a non- invasive alternative to liposuction

Tracy Mountford, cosmetic doctor and founder of the Cosmetic Skin Clinics in London and Buckinghamshire, says it's the same in Britain.

'Phones rang off the hook in the run-up to the festivities with inquiries about CoolSculpting,' she says. 'It's not just women who are booking in, men are also keen on the procedure.'

More...

CoolSculpting was launched two years ago, and I was the very first British journalist to try it (not, I should add, with Dr Mountford).

Because it was so new, I researched the procedure thoroughly before putting myself through it. It had been extensively tested before being approved by the notoriously tough Food and Drug Administration in the U.S.

'The ideal candidate is within two stone of their ideal body weight and has pockets of pinchable soft fat on muffin tops, flanks, back fat, abdomen and inner thighs'

It works by cryolipolysis, which means fat cells are cooled to near freezing, crystallise, shatter and die. I was worried that all this dead fat would get into my bloodstream and raise my blood fats or put my liver under strain, but the studies show dead fat cells are digested by white blood cells in the immune system.

The studies also showed the treatment wouldn't damage my skin or nerves, and that a single one-hour procedure could shrink the fat in the area being treated by an average of 20 to 25 per cent.

'I was horrified to find that the area of skin and fat that had been treated was frozen solid, just like a pack of lard from the freezer'

Sounds impressive, but in reality, this equates to a reduction in fat depth of just four millimetres - though you can repeat the treatment as often as you like (or can afford). However, in studies the fat loss from follow-up treatments tended to be less drastic.

When I had my treatment, I was disappointed to find that the CoolSculpting machine could vacuum up only an area roughly the size of a pack of butter at any one time, so to target my muffin top, I needed two treatments.

At £800 a time, it's not exactly pocket money.

The machine is about the size of a smallish fridge, and is on wheels. The wand, which is attached to the body of the machine, looks like an oblong-shaped metal frame.

Fat chance

Fat freezes at a higher temperature than other tissue, so you can freeze body fat without damaging skin

A gel sheet is placed over the top before it is put over the area to be treated, and as the machine is switched on, a strong vacuum effect pulls your wobbly bits into the machine.

It wasn't painful for me, but others I've spoken to have said differently, especially on treatments on the abdomen.

Afterwards, I was horrified to find that the area of skin and fat that had been treated was frozen solid, just like a pack of lard from the freezer. I was assured this would quickly melt down again, and within just ten minutes it did. There was no bruising or soreness.

Dr Mountford points out that CoolSculpting isn't a weight loss treatment because it removes only small areas of fat. However, the company has launched better, larger applicators that treat bigger areas, such as the abdomen.

'The ideal candidate is within two stone of their ideal body weight and has pockets of pinchable soft fat on muffin tops, flanks, back fat, abdomen and inner thighs,' she says.

Results aren't instant either. Effects are visible in around three weeks, but vastly improve after around to 12 to 14 weeks.

I saw a subtle reduction in the pesky fat that crept over the waistband of my jeans and returned for treatments on my bingo wings.

I shouldn't have bothered, as I didn't see any improvement in them at all.

My verdict? CoolSculpting is safe, fast and works on lumps and bumps - but won't make a fat person look thin. In fact, the only person who will really notice the results is you.

For a dramatic change in your body, spend the £1,600 on a personal trainer instead.

VIDEO: A preview of the "Coolscultping" procedure:

Play Video

Loading video...

Add your comments

Comments (36)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

View all

Imagining DIY'ers on the couch with bags of frozen peas on their stomachs...LOL!!!

- Hersey17356 , Red Lion, 31/12/2012 16:07

Click to rate Rating 97

Hey, if you feel like wasting your money on something stupid and short-lasting like this procedure, go for it. If you don't change your lifestyle, expect to see fat pile up again before long.

- LyndaB , Naugatuck USA, 31/12/2012 15:44

Click to rate Rating 25

I am really impressed with this article. Finally something that is not just an advert but actually gives honest feedback.

- Nessie , Durban, South Africa, 31/12/2012 14:58

Click to rate Rating 46

I had it done TWICE and both times saw no difference in my tummy. Waste of money (no refund).

- rjameson , Boston, United States, 31/12/2012 14:36

Click to rate Rating 33

Just stick yourself in the freezer...probably get the same results lol

- louie , dublin, 31/12/2012 14:13

Click to rate Rating 14

could just put a packet of frozen peas in a tea towel and put it on your belly. or get into a clod bath.

- queenie1 , Chester, United Kingdom, 31/12/2012 13:50

Click to rate Rating 9

Tell me posters, because I'm curious: on these blogs about this topic, the vast majority of comment say 'eat less and exercise more'. You must know, so please enlighten me: I'm normal weight (BMI 22.5) lose weight from my A cup breasts first and thighs last and exercise A LOT (almost daily gym, plus running and bike riding). Please tell me how I can lost that highly disproportionate thigh fat (significant) without losing more weight from anywhere else? I can accept people telling me to accept the way I am (I do, and will) but I CAN'T accept people ignorantly thinking that this is a weight loss method." - AF112 , London, 31/12/2012 10:02 ------------------------------ Weight lifting. Nothing burns fat like muscle, when I had the same problem I did weight and resistance training. Works like a charm.

- Lost , in Manchester, 31/12/2012 13:18

Click to rate Rating 19

Let the succours line up! - asitis , realworld, United Kingdom, 31/12/2012 09:38 Oh dear asitis, I think you mean SUCKERS!!!! Do try to use the right word in the correct context !!! I hate seeing the English Language continually degraded by ignorance!!! Happy New Year everyone!!!

- Improve_Education , Basingstoke, 31/12/2012 12:12

Click to rate Rating 34

That picure looks really rude.

- Roker , Woking, 31/12/2012 12:02

Click to rate Rating 8

Just eat healthy and exercise,it really is that simple.

- maxisussex , brighton, United Kingdom, 31/12/2012 11:57

Click to rate Rating 16

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.