Fat dissolving injections in London

What fat dissolving injections do

Fat dissolving injections use a solution, such as Aqualyx, that breaks down the membranes of fat cells in a small, targeted area. The body then clears the released fat over the following weeks. They are most often used under the chin, along the jawline and for small pockets of body fat. They are not a weight-loss treatment.

The technique is sometimes called injection lipolysis. Aqualyx is a deoxycholate-based solution in a gel carrier, injected into the fat layer beneath the skin. Deoxycholate disrupts the fat cell wall so its contents are released and cleared by the body’s normal processes over roughly six to eight weeks. At our clinic in Islington, Aqualyx is the fat dissolving product we use.

The treatment works only on the area injected, not on overall body fat. It is not a substitute for diet and exercise. It is a cosmetic tool for reducing localised fat that has not responded to a healthy lifestyle, the classic example being fat under the chin that persists in someone who is otherwise slim.

Areas we treat

• Under the chin: the most common reason people ask for fat dissolving injections, often described as a double chin.
• Jawline: small fat pockets that soften the line of the jaw.
• Bra line and back: localised deposits around the bra strap.
• Upper arms: the underside of the upper arm, where fat can be stubborn despite exercise.
• Inner and outer thighs: small, defined areas rather than the whole thigh.
• Abdomen: localised pockets, not general abdominal fat.
• Knees: the fat pad above the knee.

Fat dissolving does not help with overall body fat, where weight management is the answer; with loose skin that has little fat beneath it, which calls for skin tightening instead; or with deep abdominal fat around the organs, which is a matter of metabolic health rather than a cosmetic concern.

Who it suits, and who it does not

The best candidates are at a stable, healthy weight with a specific, pinchable pocket of fat that has not shifted with diet and exercise, and with reasonable skin elasticity so the skin can settle as the fat reduces. Realistic expectations matter as much as anatomy: this is a gradual, modest change in one area, not a new body shape.

We do not treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over active infection at the injection site, or with some medical conditions, including certain autoimmune conditions. We do not treat anyone under 18. Where body weight is significantly above a healthy range, weight management is the appropriate first step, and we will say so. If your history raises a question we cannot answer, we will ask you to speak to your GP first.

What to expect

• Usually 2 to 4 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart
• Swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising for several days, especially under the chin
• Results visible from about six weeks, with the final result at three to six months
• Treated fat cells do not return, but a stable weight helps keep the result

Consultation

We start with a skin and aesthetic consultation: your medical history, an examination, photographs and an honest look at whether the concern is fat, loose skin or both. We discuss how many sessions are likely and what a realistic result looks like for you.

Treatment day

The area is marked and cleansed, and the solution is injected into the fat layer at a series of points across the treatment area. Numbing is used for comfort. A session takes around thirty minutes. Most people feel mild to moderate discomfort during the injections, more noticeable over larger areas.

The weeks that follow

Swelling is expected and can be quite noticeable for the first few days, particularly under the chin; many people prefer to avoid social events for the first two to four days. Bruising, if it appears, fades over a week or so. Firmness or tenderness can last two to three weeks as the fat cells break down. Most people return to normal activities the next day. Visible reduction emerges from around six weeks, and the final result settles three to six months after the last session. Some people are happy after two sessions; others need four. That variation is real, and we review you between sessions before deciding on the next.

Aftercare

Aftercare is straightforward. For the first day, avoid touching or massaging the area unless we have advised otherwise, and skip make-up over injection points on the face. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot baths and alcohol for forty-eight hours, as heat and exertion can increase swelling. Under the chin, sleeping with your head slightly raised for the first night or two can help. A cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth eases tenderness. Keep well hydrated and keep to your usual healthy routine; the body clears the released fat through its normal processes, and a stable weight in the months afterwards helps protect the result. If swelling worsens rather than settles, or anything else concerns you, contact the clinic directly and we will review you.

Results and realistic expectations

Fat dissolving delivers a gradual, localised reduction in the treated area. There is no dramatic change on the day. The treated fat cells are destroyed and do not return, but the fat cells that remain can still enlarge if weight increases, so a stable weight protects the result. Results vary from person to person, and we do not promise a particular outcome. We explain all of this at consultation so you arrive at your first session knowing what the treatment can and cannot do.

Injections or ONDA?

For larger areas of the body, ONDA is often more suitable, with less swelling. For a small double chin, injections can be very effective. We will recommend the option that fits your area and lifestyle. For a direct comparison, see ONDA vs CoolSculpting.

ONDA uses microwave energy to target fat and tighten skin, with minimal downtime, and is often the better choice where a larger body area also has some skin laxity. Fat dissolving injections suit small, defined pockets, particularly on the face and neck, where precise placement matters more. Other approaches you may read about include fat freezing, which we do not offer (see our CoolSculpting alternative page), and liposuction, a surgical procedure for larger volumes of fat. For whole-body change, diet and exercise remain the foundation, and our wellness team, including nutritional therapy, can support that alongside your GP.

Safety

Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with some medical conditions. Treatment near the jaw needs anatomical care to avoid nerves. Prescribed and administered by Dr Vishal Patel, BDS, MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry, GDC 103127, the clinic’s sole aesthetic prescriber.

Expected effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness or firmness for a few weeks, and temporary numbness or altered sensation. Less common risks include prolonged swelling, uneven reduction that may need a further session, and nerve irritation, which usually settles. Under the chin and along the jaw, the marginal mandibular nerve runs close to the treatment area; irritation of this nerve can temporarily affect the movement of the lower lip. It is rare when the injector knows the anatomy well, which is why we treat this region with particular care.

Cost of fat dissolving injections in Islington

Aqualyx fat dissolving starts from £350 per session. Larger body areas are priced individually after assessment, and because most people need two to four sessions, your written plan will set out the likely course and total before you commit. A skin and aesthetic consultation is £65 and is redeemable in full against treatment. Where ONDA is the better fit, it starts £300 per session, and we will explain why we would recommend one over the other.

Why have it with us

Treating fat under the chin and along the jawline means working close to nerves and vessels in the lower face, territory a dentist works in every day. Dr Vishal Patel has around twenty years in dentistry and ten years in facial aesthetics, and holds an MSc in Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry from the University of Manchester. His training includes the International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science, a facial anatomy and cadaver course with Dr Ali Pirayesh at the University of Amsterdam, and Harley Academy. He assesses and treats you himself, and is just as likely to recommend ONDA, a different approach or no treatment as he is to recommend injections. See Dr Patel’s profile for more.

The clinic is at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, two minutes from Essex Road station and a short ride from Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Hackney and Stoke Newington. Many patients cycle or use a Lime or Forest e-bike; Dalston is around ten minutes by bike. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road. We have been in N1 since 2009, are rated 4.7 stars from more than 300 Google reviews, and see patients Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Vishal Patel · BDS · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry · GDC 103127. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.

Clinical leadDr Vishal Patel, GDC 103127

Experience10 years in facial aesthetics

TrainedIFAAS · IBSA · NeoStrata

Rated4.7★ · 300+ Google reviews

Clinic222 Essex Road, N1 · since 2009

Who treats you

Dr Vishal Patel

Clinical lead · Sole aesthetic prescriber · 10 years in facial aesthetics

BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry (Manchester) · GDC 103127 · International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science (IFAAS) · Facial anatomy and cadaver course with Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy · IBSA and NeoStrata trained

We will tell you when a treatment is not the right answer. That honesty is part of the treatment.

Read Dr Patel’s profile →

This page is part of our wider guide to ONDA Coolwaves, which sets out every option we offer side by side.