How do lipolytic injections work?
For small areas such as a lower-belly pouch we use Aqualyx, made in Italy by Marllor Biomedical, and for larger areas Lipolab, a Korean formula of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate. Both work by breaking down the walls of fat cells.
Your body then clears the released fat naturally over the following weeks, and the treated cells don’t grow back. In a 14-year study of 1,269 South Asian patients, injections slimmed areas such as the arms and bra roll over about four monthly sessions.
Who shouldn’t have lipolytic injections?
It isn’t suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, under 18, with infection in the area, with liver or kidney disease, or if you have a lot of weight to lose. Mention any blood thinners. Your doctor checks this at your consultation.
Lipolytic injections, step by step
- Free consultation: your doctor checks the area and chooses Aqualyx or Lipolab for it.
- Preparation: the area is cleansed and marked with a small grid.
- Treatment: a series of fine injections into the fat, taking about 20–30 minutes.
- Course: usually 2–4 sessions, about four weeks apart.
- Review: your doctor checks your shape about eight weeks after the last session.
Results and recovery
Swelling comes first and is a sign the solution is working. The slimming then shows gradually after each session, with the clearest change about two months after your last one. Fat cells that are broken down are gone, so results last with a steady weight.
Expect swelling, redness and tenderness for three to five days, and sometimes bruising or itching. Most people return to work the next day.
Aftercare
- A cold pack eases swelling and tenderness
- Skip hard exercise for 24–48 hours
- Drink plenty of water for a few days
- Wear loose clothes over the area
Why choose Cutera Aesthetics
- Doctor-led: your lipolytic injection treatment is assessed, planned and performed by our qualified doctors.
- Free consultation: an honest assessment and a clear plan before you commit to anything.
- A plan made for you: your treatment is tailored to your goals, your skin and your health.
- 12 clinics in 7 cities: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and Sialkot. Find your nearest clinic.
Sources
- Marllor Biomedical. Aqualyx. The maker’s page, including how to check a vial is genuine.
- Rauso R, Salti G. A CE-marked drug used for localized adiposity reduction: a 4-year experience. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2015; 35(7): 850–7.
- Thomas MK, D’Silva JA, Borole AJ. Injection lipolysis: a systematic review of literature and our experience with a combination of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate over a period of 14 years in 1269 patients of Indian and South East Asian origin. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2018; 11(4): 222–8.
- Park SY, et al. Lipolytic agents for submental fat reduction: review. Skin Research and Technology, 2024; 30(2): e13601.
