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January 23, 2026
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We've been fiercely swamped with advertisements promoting fat freezing to tackle enlarged male chests, clinically known as gynecomastia, which affects nearly 60% to 70% of males.
And it got us thinking... "Is it possible to treat a medical condition with fat freezing?"
Let's dive deep, separate the real deal from the fakes, and uncover the facts you need to know before you waste your money and time.
Male Chest Fat: Difference between Gynecomastia and Pseudogynecomastia
Gynecomastia is characterised by the enlargement of breast glandular tissues in males and is caused by hormonal imbalances.
Often confused with gynecomastia due to the similarities in physical appearance, pseudogynecomastia, clinically known as lipomastia, where breast enlargement is primarily due to an increase in FATTY tissue only.
How Fat Freeze (Cryolipolysis) Works
Fat freezing (cryolipolysis) is a non-invasive fat-reduction treatment that targets subcutaneous fat beneath the skin.
Before considering fat freezing for enlarged male breasts or chest fat, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the procedure and its potential effectiveness.
Here's how Fat Freeze (Cryolipolysis) works:
- The treatment area is cleansed before treatment
- A protective membrane (gel pad) will be applied
- A cooling applicator is then placed on the targeted site,
- The applicator will suck the skin and underlying fat for 30 to 60 minutes
- The cooling technology will lower the temperature of the fat cells in the targeted area
- Apoptosis (cell death) will be triggered
- The crystallised fat cells will be naturally eliminated by the body's lymphatic system
- It will be expelled as waste in the subsequent weeks
Applicators used during fat freezing
Fat freezing can be used to treat areas such as:
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Inner thighs
- Outer thighs
- Under the chin
- Upper arms
- Back and bra area
- Under the buttocks
- Knees
However, it's important to note that the areas to be treated are limited by the applicator head's size.
There are two types of fat freezing applicators available:
- Curve-shaped suction applicator for substantial fat pockets
- Fat, broad applicator designed to target larger surface areas where fat cannot be pinched
Understanding fat freezing's (in)efficacy to treat gynecomastia, enlarged male breast tissue
Dr Ivan Puah shares that "90% to 95% of the patients with man boobs that I see have some degree of breast tissue enlargement, with and without associated fat tissues. These patients will not respond well to fat freezing or fat reduction alone. Just reducing fat tissue alone may lead to unsightly results, such as puffy nipples and chest asymmetry.
It is crucial to have the correct diagnosis before subjecting patients with male breast enlargement to fat freezing treatment. Only a small percentage of the patients will truly benefit from it."
Fat freezing (cryolipolysis) is not explicitly designed to target or reduce glandular tissue in cases of gynecomastia, as the medical condition involves the proliferation of breast tissue and does not respond to fat freezing.
It is vital to understand the limitations of fat freezing and consider other treatment options to achieve satisfactory results for gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia surgery has been clinically proven to be the optimal treatment to successfully address this medical condition, mainly where glandular tissue is the primary objective. Liposuction will be performed to remove the excess chest fat.
Disadvantages of Fat Freezing
Dr Ivan Puah further explains, "In the most optimal circumstances, fat freeze may reduce only up to 20 to 25% of fat tissues. In a worst-case scenario, there may be no reduction, and some patients can end up with a side effect that causes the treated area to look like a stick of butter."
Aside from its limitations, cryolipolysis also has some common disadvantages and side effects.
Among the disadvantages are:
- Fat freezing is not suitable for obese individuals.
- The treatment may result in irregularities of the skin surface.
- More than one treatment session may be needed to achieve results.
- There is a wait-out period of SIX to EIGHT weeks in between sessions to allow the fat cells to be eliminated before resuming treatment.
- It can take THREE to SIX months for results to materialise as fat cell loss is a gradual process.
It is also not recommended for those with sagging skin, cold sensitivity, or intolerance, severe varicose veins, etc. Pregnant women and obese individuals should also avoid fat freezing.
Side Effects of Fat Freezing are More Common Than You Think!
Understanding these risk factors allows individuals to make informed decisions and evaluate the suitability of fat freezing for their specific circumstances.
1. Pain or aching
Pain, stinging sensation or aching at the treatment site. These may last between THREE and ELEVEN days.
2. Temporary irritation
Skin sensitivity and. the patient may also experience swelling, bruising and/or temporary skin discolouration. These typically resolve on their own within weeks.
3. Inconsistency
Fat freezing treatments can yield inconsistent results. Each person's body shape and fat composition are unique, and a standardised approach may not produce the desired outcome for everyone.
It is essential to acknowledge that fat freezing is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Factors that can influence the effectiveness of the treatment include:
- fat distribution
- the thickness of the fat layer
- skin laxity
- body's response
4. Fat Freeze Side Effect: Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) is a permanent side effect where a hardened fat area (visualise a stick of butter!) develops after cryolipolysis.
PAH occurs when individuals experience unexpected growth in fat instead of fat reduction, which is a frustrating result for those seeking fat loss.
The exact causes of PAH are still being studied, which makes it difficult to predict or prevent.
Recent studies have reported a higher PAH occurrence rate (1 in 138 treatments) than manufacturers previously reported (1 in 4,000 treatments).
It is crucial to be aware of this increased risk. Several factors have been identified as potential risk factors for developing PAH, including:
- using a large applicator during treatment
- being male
- having a Hispanic background
- Treating the abdominal area
Correct PAH with Corrective Surgery
If you have experienced PAH, taking appropriate action to address the physical and psychological impact is crucial.
Patients who have undergone unsuccessful procedures often suffer from lower self-esteem, social anxiety, and depression, in addition to the physical discomfort they may experience.
Dr Ivan Puah, an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor and the Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore, has over two decades of experience performing liposuction, gynecomastia surgery and corrective surgeries.
Performed by Dr Ivan Puah, Corrective Surgery can address problems such as PAH, excess fat, lumpiness, indentations, skin rippling, scarring, and asymmetry.
"Typically, the fat removed in patients with PAH differs from other fat, which is harder to remove. I will use my MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique during the corrective surgery to correct PAH. Stands for Multi-Dimensional Contouring; this liposuction technique increases the efficacy of fat removal."
