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
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 they can no longer store fat, and the body gradually clears these affected cells over time. Treatment is typically performed over a series of sessions, with the number of sessions depending on factors such as the amount and distribution of fat, individual anatomy, and treatment goals. Results and treatment plans vary from one person to another.
Side Effects and Considerations
As with any medical injectable, deoxycholic acid injections can cause side effects. Common temporary reactions include swelling, bruising, numbness, redness, tenderness, and firmness under the skin. Less frequently, temporary nerve-related effects such as an uneven smile may occur, while rare but more serious risks include nerve injury in the jaw area and difficulty swallowing. The treatment is not suitable for everyone, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding or when an infection is present at the treatment site, which is why your medical history should be reviewed beforehand.
Why a Medical Assessment Matters
Deoxycholic acid is a prescription medication that requires careful assessment and precise knowledge of facial and neck anatomy. Across our network, treatments are performed by highly trained medical professionals who continually develop their expertise through ongoing education, collaboration, and shared clinical knowledge. As part of one of Canada’s largest networks of medical aesthetic clinics, our experts learn from one another and share their experience across locations, helping maintain a consistent approach to safety, treatment planning, and patient care.
Focusing on the Chin: Belkyra
f 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.
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