Injection lipolysis chemically reduces the number of fat cells around the injection site. The chemical, called deoxycholic acid, results in fat cell disruption and death. Currently, it is FDA-approved for treatment of the area underneath the chin to eliminate what is known as a "double chin." A commonly known types of injection lipolysis are Kybella, LipoLab.
Reasons to get injection lipolysis: Nonsurgical candidates and patients interested in a nonsurgical approach to reduce the fat beneath the chin or some places in the body such as belly may be interested in injection lipolysis.
Who is not a candidate for these treatment?: Patients with loose skin or poor tone may not be suitable candidates for the procedure.
Procedure: After the local anesthesia has been applied, a precise amount of medication is injected in a grid pattern that has been pre-marked on the skin. It is recommended to perform 2-6 sessions every month depending on the thickness of the fat deposits.
Recovering: There is no downtime, but patients may experience swelling, bruising, pain, redness and feel areas of hardness that typically soften with time. Fat reduction is typically visible by eight weeks.
What are the results? Most patients have at least two treatments spaced 25 to 30 days apart, which is the typical duration of swelling. Patients can have up to six treatments to the area. Your clinician can develop a plan that best suits your individual anatomy. During the period of swelling the area can look fuller than it did before treatment, but as the fat cells are disrupted and the inflammation subsides, most patients see results by 6 to 8 weeks after a treatment. Unless a patient were to gain weight, the results should be long-lasting.