Cryolipolysis can easily mislead people and exaggerate its efficacy, which may be illegal

Some medical beauty clinics claim that "freezing fat" equipment can eliminate fat in the waist and abdomen, attracting many people to try it. The Department of Health pointed out that the equipment claiming to be able to "freeze fat" is actually a "skin cooling system" that has been approved by the Department of Health in recent years. It was originally stipulated that it could not be used to eliminate fat. It was not approved for use until November 23 this year when a new indication was added: "Assisting in reducing the thickness of the fat layer on the waist and abdomen." However, if the business operators exaggerate the effects of the equipment under the name of "freezing fat", they may violate Article 103 of the Medical Law and be fined NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.

Some medical beauty clinics use the name of "freezing fat" to sell products, which may be suspected of exaggerating the effects and misleading consumers. (Photography by Huang Zhiwen)

Many medical beauty clinics on the market use the name of "cryolipolysis" to promote the effect of eliminating abdominal fat. Ye Xuhui, inspection and registration section chief of the medical cosmetics group of the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health, said that on November 23 this year, the industry's application for medical equipment review with a "skin cooling system" has been approved (Department of Health Medical Device Input No. 024226). Compared with the previous indication of lowering the skin temperature after laser treatment, a new indication "assisting in reducing the thickness of the waist and abdominal fat layer" has been added to the instruction manual, which means that the device can be used to assist in reducing waist and abdominal fat.

Chen Liqi, director of the Food and Drug Administration of the Taipei City Health Bureau, pointed out that the literal interpretation of "cryolipolysis" is different from "assisting in reducing the thickness of the waist and abdominal fat layer", which may mislead people into believing that "cryolipolysis" can completely eliminate fat, but in fact it only reduces the surface fat. Business operators who use the words "cryolipolysis" in their advertisements are urged to apply to the Health Bureau for medical device advertising review to avoid suspected exaggeration, which may result in a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 in accordance with Article 103 of the Medical Law.

Section Chief Ye Xuhui added that medical devices claiming to be "freezing fat" are actually reviewed as "skin cooling systems." Although the indications include "assisting in reducing the thickness of the waist and abdominal fat layer", the main use of the device is still "can be used to lower skin temperature during dermatological laser treatment, relieve pain and thermal damage" and "temporarily produce regional analgesic effects and reduce skin discomfort."