LipoDissolve and Fat-Dissolving Injections: What You Should Know

For years, people across Canada and the United States have looked for ways to address small, stubborn pockets of fat that don't respond to diet and exercise. Injectable fat-reducing treatments, often referred to generally as "lipodissolve," have drawn growing interest as a non-surgical approach. Before considering them, it helps to understand what these injections involve and what is approved by Health Canada.

This article is meant to give you clear, science-based background to bring to your consultation. It doesn't replace a personalized assessment by a physician or healthcare professional.

What Is "LipoDissolve"?

"LipoDissolve" is a general term for injectable treatments that aim to reduce small, localized pockets of fat. It is not a weight-loss treatment and is not intended to reduce overall body weight. Instead, it targets specific areas where fat has become resistant to diet and exercise.

The active ingredient most associated with these injections is deoxycholic acid. In its naturally occurring form, this substance helps the body break down dietary fat; the version used in approved injectable treatments is synthetically produced.

A Medically Guided Approach at Dermapure

At Dermapure, our recommendations are guided by medical evidence and by what is authorized by Health Canada. When it comes to injectable deoxycholic acid, Health Canada has approved its use for one specific area: the fullness beneath the chin (submental fat, often called a "double chin"). This approved treatment is offered under the brand name Belkyra.

While the term "lipodissolve" is sometimes used more broadly to describe injections for other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or arms, deoxycholic acid is not approved by Health Canada for these areas. Our priority is always to guide you toward treatments that are supported by proper authorization and carried out by qualified medical professionals. That's why our focus with deoxycholic acid is the area it's approved for: the chin.

How Belkyra Works

Belkyra is administered as a series of small injections into the fat beneath the chin. The deoxycholic acid disrupts the fat cells in the treated area so that they can no longer store fat. Over a series of sessions, this can lead to a reduction in fullness under the chin. The number of sessions varies from one person to another, and results vary depending on individual factors.

Side Effects and Considerations

As with any medical injectable, deoxycholic acid injections can cause side effects. Common, temporary reactions in the treated area include swelling, bruising, numbness, redness, and tenderness, which usually resolve over a few days to a couple of weeks.

Less frequently, patients may notice areas of firmness under the skin, or temporary nerve-related effects such as an uneven smile, which typically resolve on their own. Rare but more serious risks include nerve injury in the jaw area and difficulty swallowing. Because of the nerves and structures in the neck, this treatment calls for precise anatomical knowledge.

Deoxycholic acid injections are not suitable for everyone. They are generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in the presence of an infection at the treatment site, or for people with certain medical conditions or difficulty swallowing. Contact your physician or healthcare professional if you notice signs of infection (fever, increasing redness, pus), difficulty swallowing, or any reaction that concerns you.

Why a Medical Assessment Matters

Deoxycholic acid is a prescription medication, and these injections should be performed by a qualified medical professional. At Dermapure, our medical team will assess whether the treatment is appropriate for you and build a personalized plan around your goals. This article is a starting point, not a substitute for that personalized medical advice.

Focusing on the Chin: Belkyra

If your main concern is fullness beneath the chin, Belkyra is the treatment specifically designed, and approved in Canada, for this area. You can learn more on our Belkyra page and book a personalized consultation.

If you'd like to address fat in other areas of the body, your best next step is a consultation, where a member of our medical team can walk you through the body contouring options that are available and appropriate for you.