Fat Freezing Injections
Fat dissolving injections aim to reduce stubborn pockets or areas of fat that don’t improve despite adequate exercise and diet. They work by using a naturally occurring enzyme called deoxycholic acid. This is produced by our bodies to emulsify the fat we consume in our diet so that we can absorb it in our intestines, but can also be manufactured into a special ‘fat dissolving cocktail’ that medical practitioners can inject into stubborn areas of body fat under the skin, such as double chins and love-handles. The enzyme breaks down the fat that it comes into contact with, permanently destroying the fat cells and therefore helping reduce the size of the fat pocket. However, whilst one doesn’t grow new fat cells to replace the dissolved ones, it is still possible to gain weight as the remaining fat cells can expand in size should adequate diet and exercise not be maintained.
The broken down fat cells are then simply eliminated by the body. The process of fat dissolving also involves a degree of skin tightening, so you are usually not left with sagging bits of skin where the fat has been removed. There are several different types of fat dissolving injections available, all of which contain some variation of deoxycholic acid. It’s important to note that fat dissolving injections are not a whole-body weight loss aid, but are best suited to stubborn areas.
Double chin, stomach fat, back rolls, muffin tops, side rolls, upper arms, thighs (inner and outer), back of the neck, bra rolls, “banana rolls” (the roll of fat that can form where the bottom of the buttock connects with the top of the thigh).
At the consultation, an assessment confirms suitability of the procedure, the risks/benefits are explained, and photographs are taken of the area being treated. The procedure is then ready to take place.
Fat dissolving injections, as their name implies, involve injections into the skin in order to get the dissolving product into the right place. The two main methods are via needle pin-point injections, or via cannula. There are advantages to both techniques, and your medical practitioner will be able to discuss the most suitable method on the day. However, in simplified terms, the cannula is a long needle that involves less injections as it can cover a larger area from just one point, whereas the pin-point needle technique is better suited to smaller areas or tricky areas that curve around the body as it allows greater accuracy.
The injections themselves are not particularly painful. Patients may feel a pinprick sensation as the skin is injected, but otherwise the procedure is relatively pain-free. No anaesthesia is required to the skin beforehand. Some of the fat dissolving products are also mixed with lidocaine (numbing liquid) to help make the injections more comfortable. After the procedure, it is normal to feel some minor aches and pains to the injected area, as well as having some bruising.
Before the procedure, although there is no specific preparation required, it is advisable to avoid substances that can thin the blood, provided it is medically safe to do so, such as alcohol, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen), Vitamin E, ginko biloba, garlic, St John's wort, ginseng, etc. as these can increase the risk of bruising.
Whilst downtime after the treatment is generally minimal, there may be some swelling to the injected areas which can take several days to a few weeks to subside. Some people may experience bruising which can take a couple of weeks to fade. Physical exercise should be avoided for about 4 to 5 days.
Reduction in fat may be seen as early as a couple of weeks, but generally results are seen 4-6 weeks after treatment. It usually takes multiple treatment sessions to achieve the best reduction in fat, and you normally need to wait a minimum of 4 weeks between treatments (there is no maximum time limit between treatments).
The results from the fat dissolvers start to work immediately. However, it can take several weeks for the full effect to be reached, during which there can be swelling to the treated area for several days or weeks. The number of treatment sessions required to dissolve the fat will also vary person to person, in general ranging from 2-6 treatment cycles.
After fat dissolving injections, people can experience swelling of treated area, bruising, minor aches and pains, reddening of the skin (a few hours up to 2 days), temporary numbness to the treated area, or minor hardening of the deepest layers of tissue under the skin which could last 2-3 months.
Every treatment is tailored towards the patient’s face and body shape; therefore, exact pricing can only be discussed after a full assessment. However, prices generally range from around £350-650 per area per treatment.
"One of my personal favourite treatments, fat dissolving injections are a great way of permanently dissolving those really stubborn pockets of fat. Less invasive than liposuction, and able to target a greater range of body areas than fat freezing devices, these treatments can be performed in as little as 15 minutes for a small area with very little discomfort. As with all other non-surgical fat reduction options, it’s important to note that one session alone will generally not work miracles, and that a course of treatments will provide the best possible outcomes."
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