Injection Lipolysis — Localised Fat Reduction

Injection lipolysis at DermaStar uses a phosphatidylcholine solution to break down small, localised fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. Phosphatidylcholine is naturally produced in the body and sourced from soybeans; when injected in precise concentrations into subcutaneous fat, it disrupts the fat cell membrane, causing the cell to release its fatty acid content for natural metabolic processing. The treatment is suitable for the double chin, lower jawline, small abdominal pockets, inner knees, inner arms, and thighs. It is not a substitute for surgical liposuction in patients with larger fat volumes. Results become visible 6–8 weeks after injection; 2–4 sessions are typically required.

Injection lipolysis — sometimes called lipodissolve — is a minimally invasive approach to selectively reducing small fat deposits using pharmacological agents delivered directly into subcutaneous fat. At DermaStar, the active substance is phosphatidylcholine (PC), a naturally occurring phospholipid present in all cell membranes and produced endogenously in the liver. When injected at controlled concentrations into adipose tissue, PC emulsifies fat cell membranes, causing adipocyte lysis. The released fatty acids enter the interstitial fluid and are subsequently transported via the lymphatic system and bloodstream to the liver, where they are metabolised through standard lipid oxidation pathways. The clinic uses multi-pronged injection needles (3–5 prongs) placed at 1.5 cm intervals across the target area. This grid pattern ensures even distribution of the solution throughout the fat compartment being treated. The injections are not deeply anaesthetised — patients typically experience a burning or stinging sensation lasting 20–30 minutes post-treatment, followed by localized redness, swelling, and warmth that resolve within 48 hours. Indications at DermaStar are deliberately conservative. The treatment is appropriate for small, pinchable fat deposits: submental fat (double chin), lower jawline fat accumulation, small focal collections on the lateral abdomen, the knees, inner arms, and inner thighs. Lipomas (benign fatty tumours) are another validated indication. It is explicitly not a replacement for surgical liposuction in patients with larger fat volumes or diffuse subcutaneous excess; the absolute contraindications screen out anyone for whom systemic lipid processing may be compromised (diabetes with angiopathy, severe liver or kidney disease, BMI over 30, pregnancy, breastfeeding). Results emerge gradually because the fat cell breakdown and metabolic clearance takes weeks. Initial improvement may be detectable at 3–4 weeks, with the full result visible at 6–8 weeks post-injection. A single session of injection lipolysis in most areas is insufficient for the desired result; the standard protocol involves 2–4 sessions each separated by at least 6–8 weeks to allow complete resolution of swelling and metabolic processing of the previous session before adding more product. Patients considering this treatment for the double chin area should be aware that swelling in the days following treatment can be pronounced — this is expected and resolves. DermaStar's physicians assess each patient before treatment to confirm suitability, discuss realistic outcomes, and review contraindications including allergies, autoimmune conditions, and bleeding disorders.