Fat-dissolving injections can reduce a small, stubborn pocket of fat, most reliably under the chin. Results vary from person to person, a course takes months, and swelling is part of the process. They are not a way to lose weight. Below are straight answers to the questions we are asked most, for anyone weighing it up before a consultation.
The short answers
- What they are: injections into the fat just under the skin that break down fat cells in that spot.
- Do they work? The best evidence is for fat under the chin. Other areas have been studied less, and results vary.
- Are they safe? No injection is free of risk. Swelling and bruising are expected; serious problems are uncommon and less likely with a trained practitioner and a genuine product.
- How many sessions? Usually three to eight, several weeks apart.
- Cost at Skin Life: from £120 a treatment, after a consultation. See the cost section.
What are fat-dissolving injections?
They are injections given into the layer of fat beneath the skin, not into the skin itself. The best-known products are based on deoxycholic acid, a substance the body makes to help break down fat in food. At Skin Life we use Aqualyx, a CE-marked solution based on deoxycholic acid. We also offer Lemon Bottle, a separate injectable treatment for small areas of fat, which is a different product (see below).
How do fat-dissolving injections work?
Deoxycholic acid damages the walls of the fat cells it reaches. Those cells break down, and over the following weeks the body clears away what is left. The area swells while this happens, which is why swelling is expected rather than a sign that something has gone wrong.
Fat cells that have been broken down do not come back. The fat cells that remain can still grow if you put on weight, so how long the result lasts depends on your weight staying steady.
Do fat-dissolving injections work?
For fat under the chin, the evidence is the strongest: clinical trials of deoxycholic acid in that area found a visible reduction in most of the people treated, usually after several sessions.
Other areas, such as the abdomen, flanks, inner thighs and knees, have been studied less. Results there vary more from person to person, they build up gradually, and some people see little change. That is why we look at the area at a consultation before suggesting a course, and say so if we do not think injections will help.
Do fat-dissolving injections work on the stomach?
The abdomen and flanks can be treated, and they are the areas we are asked about most. Two things decide whether it is worth it for you.
- Which fat it is. Injections only reach the fat just under the skin, the fat you can pinch. Fat deeper inside the abdomen, around the organs, cannot be reached by injections at all.
- How much there is. The stomach is a bigger area than the chin, so it needs more solution and more injection points, and often more sessions. The evidence for the abdomen is also weaker than for the chin.
At your consultation we look at the area with you and give you an honest view of whether injections are likely to make a difference, or whether something else would suit you better.
How many sessions will I need, and when will I see a difference?
Usually between three and eight sessions, several weeks apart. Small areas such as under the chin tend to need fewer; larger areas tend to need more.
Do not judge the result in the first week or two, because the area is swollen. Changes develop over the weeks after each session, and the result is best judged a couple of months after the last one.
Do fat-dissolving injections hurt?
We numb the area with local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure and some stinging rather than sharp pain. Afterwards the area is usually tender, warm and swollen for several days, and some people describe a burning or aching feeling during that time. We tell you what you can take for discomfort before you leave.
Are fat-dissolving injections safe?
No injection is free of risk, and it is worth being wary of anyone who says otherwise. Serious problems are uncommon, and four things make them less likely:
- A consultation first, to check your health and whether the area is suitable.
- A practitioner trained in the anatomy of the area being treated.
- A genuine product from a legitimate supplier. Unbranded products bought online have caused serious harm.
- Following the aftercare, and getting in touch if anything worries you.
What are the side effects and downsides?
Some effects are expected, because swelling is part of how the treatment works:
- Swelling, which can be marked and last one to two weeks
- Bruising, redness, warmth and tenderness
- Numbness or a feeling of firmness in the area
- Small lumps under the skin that settle over weeks
Less common but more serious problems include infection, an allergic reaction, damage to the skin if the solution is placed too close to the surface, an uneven result, and, with treatment under the chin, a temporary weakness of the lower lip caused by irritation of a nearby nerve.
The practical downsides are worth knowing too: results vary and are not guaranteed, a course means several appointments over a few months, each session means a week or two of swelling, and the fat cells left behind can still grow if you gain weight.
Aqualyx or Lemon Bottle: what is the difference?
We offer both, and they are different products. Aqualyx is based on deoxycholic acid, is CE-marked and has been in use for longer. The maker of Lemon Bottle lists riboflavin (vitamin B2), bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple, and lecithin among its ingredients, and there is less published research on it. Which of the two is suitable for you is decided at your consultation, where we go through what is and is not known about each.
Who are they suitable for?
Adults who are at or near their usual weight and have a small, localised pocket of fat. They are not suitable if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are under 18
- Have diabetes, or liver or kidney disease
- Have a skin infection in the area, or an allergy to any of the ingredients
They are not a treatment for weight loss or for larger areas of fat.
What happens at the appointment, and afterwards?
You have a consultation first, where we go through your medical history and whether the treatment is likely to help. On the day, the area is marked and numbed, and the solution is injected and spread through the fat. It takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Plan for the swelling: many people book so that the first week or two falls at a quiet time. Afterwards:
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hot baths for a few days.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing over the area while it is swollen.
How much do fat-dissolving injections cost at Skin Life?
Aqualyx is from £120 a treatment at our clinic on Lisson Grove, Marylebone. The price depends on the size of the area and is confirmed at your consultation, along with how many sessions we suggest. Lemon Bottle is also from £120 a treatment. All our prices are on the prices page.
Have a question first? Message us on WhatsApp on 07593 301148, and we will get back to you.
This article is general information, not medical advice. A consultation is the way to find out what is suitable for you.