Fat dissolving - 1 Area

Targeted lipolysis injections for small, defined pockets of stubborn fat — not a weight-loss treatment.

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Fat dissolving - 1 Area

Duration

60 min

From

£180

Multi-area packages available — contact us for pricing.

Treatment Summary

Fat-dissolving injections (lipolysis) use deoxycholic acid to break down the membranes of fat cells in localised, well-defined pockets. The body then clears the fragmented cells over several weeks. This treatment is for small, stubborn areas — submental ('double chin'), bra fat, lower abdomen, knees, flanks — and is explicitly not a weight-loss treatment. A typical course is 2–4 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart, with significant swelling expected for the first 3–7 days after each session.

Also known as: lipolysis injection · deoxycholic acid injection · double chin injection · Aqualyx · Kybella alternative · fat melting injection

Key Benefits

Localised Targeting

For small, defined pockets that resist diet and exercise.

Permanent Cell Reduction

Treated fat cells are cleared by the body and do not return.

No Surgery

Injection-based — no incisions, anaesthetic or general downtime.

Honest Scope

We will not treat areas or goals that the protocol cannot reasonably deliver.

What fat dissolving is — and isn't

Fat-dissolving injection (lipolysis) uses deoxycholic acid — a naturally occurring bile acid — to disrupt the membranes of fat cells in a treated area. The cells release their contents, the macrophages of your immune system clear the debris over several weeks, and the area becomes permanently smaller because those cells are gone.

It is a treatment for small, defined pockets of fat — submental (the "double chin"), bra fat, the area below or above the knee, lower abdomen pouches, flanks. It is not a weight-loss treatment, it is not a substitute for liposuction in larger areas, and it is not appropriate for diffuse, soft-distribution fat without a clear pocket. We will say so honestly at consultation.

Who suits this treatment

The best candidate is someone close to a stable healthy weight with one or two small areas that resist fitness and diet effort. A classic example is the submental pocket that is disproportionate to facial weight, often because of genetics rather than weight gain.

The treatment is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, where there is significant skin laxity over the area (removing fat under lax skin worsens the laxity), where the goal is general weight reduction, or where realistic candidacy can't be established at consultation.

What happens on the day

The area is cleaned, marked into a treatment grid and the deoxycholic acid is injected at standardised depth and spacing using fine needles. The session itself takes 20–30 minutes for most areas.

What follows matters: plan around 3–7 days of significant swelling. The chin can look noticeably fuller before it looks slimmer. Bra fat and abdomen can swell visibly under clothes. Bruising is common, tenderness is expected. We brief you in detail and provide written aftercare.

Course structure and timeline

A typical plan is 2–4 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart. Initial visible reduction shows 4–6 weeks after each session as swelling settles; the full result of the course is at 8–12 weeks after the last session. We review at every session and stop when the area has responded as far as it will rather than continuing for the sake of the package.

Honest expectations

Done in the right candidate, in the right area, fat-dissolving is one of the most satisfying treatments in non-surgical aesthetic medicine. Done in the wrong candidate, with unrealistic goals or in the wrong distribution of fat, it is a course of unpleasant swelling for very little gain. Our job at consultation is to know which is which — and to be honest with you when this isn't the right treatment.

What to Expect

  1. 1

    Suitability Assessment

    We palpate the area, confirm it is true subcutaneous fat in a defined pocket, and check that goals match what lipolysis can actually do.

  2. 2

    Marking & Injection

    The area is marked into a grid; deoxycholic acid is injected at standard depth and spacing using a fine needle, taking around 20–30 minutes.

  3. 3

    Swelling & Recovery

    Significant swelling, tenderness and bruising for 3–7 days is normal and expected — we brief you fully on what to plan around.

  4. 4

    Repeat Sessions

    Sessions are repeated every 6–8 weeks until the result is achieved or the area is judged to have responded as far as it will, typically 2–4 sessions.

Suitability

Aesthetic care is highly individual. The points below are general guidance — final suitability for fat dissolving - 1 area is always confirmed in your consultation.

Often suitable for

  • Small, defined fat pockets in someone close to a stable healthy weight
  • A submental pocket disproportionate to facial weight
  • Bra fat or knee fat resistant to fitness-based effort
  • Refining a localised area as part of a broader body plan
  • Clients who can plan around 5–7 days of significant swelling

May not be suitable if

  • Anyone seeking general weight loss — this is not a weight-loss treatment
  • Diffuse, soft-distribution fat without a defined pocket
  • Significant skin laxity over the area (laxity will worsen if fat is removed)
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy soon
  • Active autoimmune disease or recent significant surgery in the area

Aftercare

Caring for your results

A few simple steps in the first 24–48 hours help your results settle as expected.

  • Expect significant swelling and tenderness for 3–7 days — plan accordingly
  • Apply cool compresses for the first 24 hours; avoid heat for 48 hours
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and saunas for 48–72 hours
  • Avoid alcohol and high-salt food for 48 hours to limit swelling
  • A compression garment may be advised for some areas
  • Do not massage vigorously for the first week

Treatment Areas

  • Submental (double chin)
  • Jowls (selective)
  • Bra fat
  • Flanks
  • Lower abdomen
  • Inner thigh
  • Outer thigh
  • Knees

Deoxycholic acid is the active ingredient in licensed and clinically established lipolysis preparations. Its mechanism — targeted destruction of adipocyte membranes followed by macrophage clearance — is well characterised. It is most effective and safest in small, well-defined subcutaneous fat pockets; the literature does not support its use for general weight reduction or large body areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fat dissolving a weight-loss treatment?
No — and this is the single most important thing to be honest about. Fat dissolving treats specific small pockets of fat in the right candidate. It will not produce a meaningful change on the scales and it will not replace healthy diet and activity. If general weight loss is your goal, our medically supervised weight-loss programme is the appropriate route.

How much swelling should I expect?
Significant — particularly under the chin, where you can look noticeably fuller for 3–7 days as the inflammatory response works. We are upfront about this so you can plan around it (don't book a wedding the week after). Bra fat and abdomen can also swell visibly. Bruising is common.

How many sessions will I need?
Typically 2–4 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart, depending on the area and the volume of fat. Some clients are happy after two; some need four. We review at each session and stop when the result is achieved or when the area has responded as far as it will.

When will I see results?
Initial results begin to be visible 4–6 weeks after each session as swelling settles and fat clears. The full effect of a course shows around 8–12 weeks after the last session.

Are results permanent?
The treated fat cells are destroyed and cleared, so they don't return. However, the remaining fat cells in the area can still expand if you gain significant weight, so the appearance can change with weight fluctuation.

Does it hurt?
The injections themselves are uncomfortable. The post-treatment burning, swelling and tenderness for the first 24–48 hours can be more bothersome than the procedure itself. Most clients tolerate it well with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relief.

Are there risks?
Bruising, swelling, tenderness and temporary skin numbness are common and expected. Rare risks include nodule formation, prolonged swelling, infection and — for under-chin treatment — temporary asymmetric smile if the marginal mandibular nerve is irritated. Careful technique by a clinician trained in the anatomy minimises risk.

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Ready to take the next step?

Book a private consultation with our team to discuss fat dissolving - 1 area in West Hampstead and decide together whether it is the right treatment for you.

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