A fat-dissolving injection is a minimally invasive, non-surgical method of eliminating small pockets of fat from underneath the skin.
With these injections, you can permanently contour your face as well as your body, both safely and effectively.
Among the different options, Aqualyx is a very popular brand of fat dissolvers and is widely used by practitioners around the globe. Longevita’s medical aesthetician also uses Aqualyx.
What Are Fat Dissolving Injections?
Fat-dissolving injections are used to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat without anaesthesia or surgery.
There are many areas of the body that they can target, including:
- Chin
- Neck
- Stomach
- Back
- Hips
- Under buttocks
- Thighs
- Knees
Essentially, you can get them anywhere on the body to reduce the amount of fat under the skin.
As an injectable, it does not require any incisions, so there is no prominent surgical scarring.
Its results are also permanent as long as you maintain your body weight after the treatment.
It should, however, be noted that fat-dissolving injections are not intended for weight loss.
With these injections, fat is removed in “centimetres,” not “kilograms.” So, you need to have realistic expectations.
How Much Do Fat Dissolving Injections in London Cost?
Fat-dissolving injections cost an average of £250 per session in London. It is typical for patients to require 2-3 sessions, so the total cost can be up to £750.
Still, prices can vary depending on the number of areas that require treatment and their size.
Some clinics also charge separately for consultation and aftercare, so you need to take that into account as well.
Who Is a Good Candidate For Fat Dissolving Injections?
You are a suitable candidate for fat-dissolving injections if:
- You have small, stubborn pockets of fat.
- You are over 18 and under 60 years old.
- You have pseudo-gynecomastia.
- You have realistic expectations.
- You don’t want any downtime.
A discussion of your treatment goals will take place before the injections are administered.
That way, your practitioner will determine whether you’re more suitable for invasive, surgical fat removal techniques or fat dissolver. It helps ensure better patient satisfaction.
Other than that, the medical aesthetician will also assess the target area to check if it’s actually fat that needs to be removed.
For instance, it can be sagging muscles rather than localised fat deposits causing a double chin. Only if you have an inch or so of fat these dissolving injections will be recommended to you.
Who Is Not Suitable For Fat-Dissolving Injection?
Fat-dissolving injections are not recommended if you:
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Have liposdystrophy (abnormal fat distribution)
- Have pathological conditions
- Have large amounts of fat to be removed
Your practitioner will assess your physical health before administering fat dissolvers.
Am I Suitable For Fat Dissolving Injections?
What to Think About What To Think About Before Getting Fat Dissolving Injections?
Before you decide to get fat-dissolving injections in London, it’s important to do your research to find the right aesthetician.
Fat dissolvers like Aqualyx are only sold to trained healthcare professionals, but there may be some black-market clinics offering them.
Not anyone can (or should) inject them because they require an advanced understanding of the human anatomy. The depth and angle of the injection are controlled and precise.
So, you should make sure to ask about the relevant experience and training of your aesthetician. And find out if the clinic is CQC-registered.
Also, since there are different brands of fat dissolvers, make sure to ask which one they’re using. Learn all the risks and complications that they can cause.
How Best to Prepare for Fat Dissolving Injections?
To prepare for your fat-dissolving injections in London, you should:
- Discontinue any painkillers 48 hours before the treatment, as it increases the risk of bruising.
- Discontinue any omega-3 tablets as well for the same reason.
- Make sure that your skin is clean and healthy.
If you’re unsure about something, you should make sure to ask your practitioner beforehand. It will avoid any unnecessary delays.
What Is The Procedure For Fat Dissolving Injections?
Once you arrive at the clinic, the practitioner will begin by cleaning the target area.
To prevent pain, numbing cream is also applied to the treatment area. Additionally, the injection is mixed with 1 ml lidocaine – a local anaesthetic – so that nothing hurts while you’re getting the injections.
Following the numbing cream, the injections are administered. The number of injections needed per area depends on its size. For instance, if it’s just the chin, half of the 8ml vial of Aqualyx is used.
The injections are neither too superficial nor too deep. But they will only target the fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat).
This process, also known as Aquaplasty or Aqualysis, can be done together with an ultrasound device to further help remove the fat cells from the target area.
How Do Fat-Dissolving Injections Work?
Fat-dissolving injections like Aqualyx come from the deoxycholate family of acids.
When injected, the acids go into the fat cells to destroy them. As a result, the fat cells burst open, after which they’re safely removed by the body’s lymphatic system.
You’ll urinate the fat out of your body after 10 days. And the fat removal is permanent.
Keep in mind this fat is processed by the liver. So, if your liver is not healthy, it won’t be a good idea to put more load on it. So, in that case, you might be contraindicated for fat dissolvers.
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Recovery And Result Of Fat Dissolving Injections
Fat-dissolving injections don’t give immediate results. The process is gradual and takes weeks (which can provide discretion).
There is, however, no downtime. You can, for instance, get back to work after the treatment if you like. But the swelling can be quite prominent, so you should consider camouflaging it.
Typically, patients are recommended 2-3 sessions of fat-dissolving injections, each 4-6 weeks apart.
But the time between sessions can vary depending on the size of the treatment area. If it’s small (like the chin), a session can be done after 3-4 weeks. However, if the area is large, there might be 5-6 weeks between each session.
You will start noticing a difference after the second session, but the final results can take 3-4 weeks to show.
How Long Do Fat-Dissolving Injections Work?
The results of fat-dissolving injections are permanent because the fat cells are eliminated from the body.
Once an area is treated, practitioners don’t usually treat it again for 5-10 years. However, if gain weight before that and want to get the injections again, you should consult a licensed aesthetician.
Aftercare Of Fat Dissolving Injections
It’s recommended to drink a lot of water after having fat-dissolving injections. It helps reduce swelling and remove fat cells from the body.
A lymphatic drainage massage can also be recommended to you. This will help move the lymphatic fluid (which will have the fat cells).
You can sleep normally if you have the injections in your body. But if it’s the chin, it’ll be better for you to sleep in an elevated position because of swelling.
Additionally, on the day you have the injections, it’s important for you to avoid any alcohol or smoking.
Side Effects to Expect After Fat Dissolving Injections
Possible side effects of fat-dissolving injections include:
- Burning – on the day of the treatment
- Tingling – on the day of the treatment
- Itchiness – on the day of the treatment
- Bruising – for 3 days
- Redness – for 4-6 days
- Irritation – for 4-6 days
- Swelling – for 5 days (gets better as the weeks pass)
- Numbness – for 1 week
Swelling will be the most noticeable side effect of the treatment because of the burst fat cells.
You might also “feel” the liquid in that area. But it will get better week after week as your body gets rid of the fat cells.
Can Fat Dissolving Injections Go Wrong?
Fat-dissolving injections are safe. However, some patients can experience diarrhoea because of the treatment.
Patients also worry about sagging skin after these injections. But since fat dissolvers don’t work like liposuction, they don’t cause that problem. If anything, it can leave the skin in the target area wrinkly.
To avoid any serious complications, it’s important that you find an experienced and licensed aesthetician.
What To Do If You Have Problems After A Fat Dissolving Injections?
Our online Aftercare team can assist you if you have any problems after getting fat-dissolving injections.
Additionally, you can also have a face-to-face consultation with your practitioner at our London clinic.
Alternatives to Fat Dissolving Injections
There are surgical and non-surgical alternatives to fat-dissolving injections.
As far as non-surgical fat reduction is concerned, there’s CoolSculpting, which uses cryolipolysis. Laser, ultrasound, and red light therapies are also available.
Among the surgical options, you can consider liposuction, fat excision, or tummy tuck.
It depends on the treatment goals of the patient. You should clearly discuss them with your practitioner, so they can prepare an appropriate treatment plan for you.
Other Procedures to Have with Fat Dissolving Injections
In general, it’s not an issue to combine fat dissolvers with other treatments. The only thing is the treatment area needs to be different.
So, for instance, a Botox injection to your forehead can be combined with Aqualyx injections to your chin in the same appointment.
If you want to get another treatment in the chin area, you’ll have to wait for some time.
FAQ for Fat Dissolving Injections
Do fat-dissolving injections work on the belly?
Fat-dissolving injections can effectively remove small, stubborn pockets of fat in the abdominal area. However, it only removes subcutaneous fat.
How fast do fat-dissolving injections work?
You’ll start noticing the effects of a fat dissolver after your second treatment session. The final results usually take 3-4 weeks to become visible.
However, the speed at which these injections work varies from patient to patient. Aqualyx’s manufacturers claim that younger patients are more likely to see results after a longer period of time.
Can you get fat-dissolving injections with fillers?
You cannot combine dermal fillers with fat dissolvers like Aqualyx in the same appointment. You have to wait for at least 6 weeks after the last session before getting fillers.
Do fat-dissolving injections work for everyone?
Fat dissolvers like Aqualyx do work for everyone. However, patient expectations are really important in this regard. If there’s too much fat, these injections might not give satisfactory results.
Are fat-dissolving injections safe?
Fat dissolvers can safely get rid of fat pockets from small areas of your body. They are contraindicated in certain cases, though. Make sure to discuss that with your practitioner.
Can you inject fat dissolvers yourself?
You should not inject fat dissolvers yourself (at home). While they may seem easy, they require knowledge of the human anatomy. Therefore, it’s better to get them from a licensed practitioner.
How much weight do you lose with fat-dissolving injections?
Fat-dissolving injections are not for weight loss. They can only contour your face and body by removing small fat cells.
Reviewed and Approved by Prof. Dr. Fuat Yuksel
