Fat Dissolving Injections London

Stubborn fat deposits under the chin, along the jawline and on the body often resist diet and exercise — not because you’re not trying hard enough, but because of genetics.

Fat dissolving injections break down targeted fat cells without surgery, anaesthesia or significant downtime. Every treatment performed personally by Dr Gregorio De Carvalho.

What are fat dissolving injections?

Fat dissolving injections use deoxycholic acid — a naturally occurring bile acid found in the human body — to break down targeted fat cells. When injected precisely into a fat deposit, deoxycholic acid disrupts the fat cell membrane, causing the cell to break down. The contents are then processed and eliminated naturally by the body’s lymphatic system over 4–6 weeks.

The result is a long-term reduction in the number of fat cells in the treated area. Unlike treatments that shrink fat cells or temporarily suppress them, fat-dissolving injections reduce them entirely, and fat cells may not regenerate in the treated area.

Double chin treatment and chin fat removal

The most common and well-studied use of fat dissolving injections is the submental area — the fat pad under the chin that creates the appearance of a double chin. This is the area with the most established evidence base for deoxycholic acid, and results are among the most visually impactful of any non-surgical treatment available for facial contouring.

 

The same active ingredient can also be considered for other body fat deposits that resist exercise — including bra fat, inner thighs, abdomen, flanks and upper arms. The evidence base and product licensing vary by anatomical area, and treatment outside a product’s licensed indication may constitute off-label use, requiring individual medical assessment and informed consent. Dr Gregorio will assess suitability and discuss the relevant evidence for your specific area during your consultation.

TREATMENT AT A GLANCE

Treatment price From £320
Sessions required 2–4 per area
Session spacing 6–8 weeks between sessions
Session duration 20–40 minutes
Downtime 3–7 days swelling (chin area)
Results appear 4–6 weeks after each session
Results duration Long-lasting if weight remains stable
Active compound Deoxycholic acid
Anaesthesia Topical numbing cream only

What happens to the treated fat cells? Fat cells successfully disrupted by the treatment are broken down and cleared from the area by the body’s natural processes — those specific cells do not return. However, treatment does not prevent future weight gain, and any remaining, untreated fat cells in the area can still enlarge. Maintaining a stable weight after treatment helps protect your results long-term.

Trusted by patients across London.

★★★★★

Dr José Gregorio is truly exceptional. I trust him with my face like no one else, and that says it all. His expertise, precision, and aesthetic eye are outstanding. Every procedure leaves me looking refreshed, natural, and confident.

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★★★★★

Dr José Gregorio is truly exceptional. I trust him completely with my face. His skill, precision, and strong aesthetic eye are outstanding. The results are always natural, balanced, and never overdone.

Angelica Lopez Official

★★★★★

Dr Gregorio is a highly qualified professional with an excellent eye for achieving natural aesthetic results. He is experienced and offers a full range of aesthetic treatments, including advanced facial rejuvenation options.

G A

★★★★★

I had an excellent skincare consultation and treatment with Dr Gregorio. He was thorough, attentive, and took the time to tailor the treatment to my skin’s needs. I felt very well looked after from start to finish and noticed a clear improvement.

Ian Johnson

★★★★★

An excellent experience from start to finish. From the very beginning, the staff were kind and professional, always attentive to every detail. The facilities are spotless, modern, and inspire complete confidence.

Roimar De Carvalho

★★★★★

I had an amazing experience with Dr Gregorio for both treatments. From the moment I arrived, he made me feel completely comfortable. The whole process was painless, which really surprised me, and the results looked natural and elegant.

Mark Johnson

★★★★★

I had several procedures done with Dr Gregorio and I loved the results. His work is very professional and successful. Based on my own experience, I highly recommend him.

Lizete Ferriera

★★★★★

I have had the opportunity to use Dr Gregorio’s services and he is truly very professional in his work. He always meets my expectations and helps me feel my best.

Martha Toro

★★★★★

I recently had a shoulder contour treatment, together with an upper facial rejuvenation technique performed by Dr Gregorio. The results are outstanding. My skin looks smooth, firm, defined, and completely natural.

Tianyuan Wang

★★★★★

Dr Greg is the best in London. He has done my treatments and he is truly the best. His work is so natural that nobody will notice what I have had done. He always knows exactly how to enhance my features beautifully.

Isabelle Wong

★★★★★

A very competent doctor with extensive experience. I highly recommend him for his excellent clinical results.

Stella Stefanova

★★★★★

I have known Dr Gregorio for more than 10 years and I have always been very satisfied with the results of every procedure he has performed on me. His work is consistently professional, thoughtful, and reliable.

Catalina Drane

★★★★★

I loved Dr Gregório’s work and highly recommend him.

Lauriane Ferreira

★★★★★

The best doctor in Ontario!

Alexander Zerpa

★★★★★

Five-star experience.

Fátima Patricia Araujo Silva

★★★★★

I have been a patient of Dr Gregorio for more than 10 years and I can confidently say my experience has been exceptional. From the first appointment, he made me feel comfortable and valued, always taking the time to understand my needs.

Lucianne Sythes

★★★★★

Excellent experience.

Ingrid

★★★★★

Excellent experience.

Maria Gil

How do fat dissolving injections work?

Deoxycholic acid works through a specific biological mechanism — breaking down and removing treated fat cells, rather than merely suppressing or temporarily shrinking them.

Precise Injection

01
Deoxycholic acid is injected using a series of fine needle injections precisely into the targeted fat deposit. The number and placement of injections depends on the size and location of the area being treated.

Cell Membrane Disruption

02
Deoxycholic acid is a detergent-like molecule. On contact with the fat cell membrane, it disrupts the phospholipid bilayer — breaking the membrane’s integrity and causing the fat cell to rupture and release its contents.

Inflammatory Response

03
The body’s immune response treats the destroyed fat cells as waste to be removed. Macrophages clear the cellular debris — this process causes the post-treatment swelling that is normal and expected after each session.

Fat Cell Elimination

04
Over 4–6 weeks the lymphatic system processes and clears the destroyed fat cell material. The reduction in fat volume becomes visible during this period — treated fat cells do not regenerate, so this reduction is long-lasting provided body weight remains stable.

What to expect after fat dissolving injections — session by session.

Swelling is a common, expected reaction following treatment and usually settles gradually. The degree and duration vary between individuals — the immune response naturally involved in clearing treated fat cells may contribute to this, but more swelling does not mean better results.
01

Peak Swelling

Significant swelling, redness and tenderness in the treated area — particularly pronounced under the chin. This is the inflammatory response clearing destroyed fat cells. Completely normal. Cold compress helps manage discomfort.
02

Swelling Subsides

Redness and swelling resolve progressively. Some lumpiness or firmness in the area is normal — the tissue is reorganising. Numbness can persist for 1–2 weeks and is temporary. Most patients are comfortable returning to social activity by day 5–7.
03

Fat Clearance

The lymphatic system processes destroyed fat cell contents. The area begins to look slimmer and more defined. Skin starts to adapt to the reduced fat volume. Results build progressively — do not judge the full outcome yet.

04

Full Session Result

The complete result of this session is now visible. Dr Gregorio assesses the outcome and determines whether a further session is appropriate. Most patients require 2–4 sessions total for complete results.
05

Long-Lasting Contouring

Once the full course is complete and results have settled (typically 3–4 months after the final session), the reduction in fat in the treated cells is long-lasting. No ongoing maintenance sessions are required, and results can be maintained over time provided body weight remains stable.

Frequently asked questions about fat dissolving injections in London.

Fat dissolving injections work by disrupting the treated fat cells; once destroyed, those specific cells cannot regenerate. The fat reduction in the treated area can be long-lasting, provided body weight remains stable. This is a body contouring treatment rather than a weight-loss treatment — outcomes vary between individuals, and significant weight gain can cause remaining, untreated fat cells in the area to enlarge. Suitability is assessed individually before treatment.

Most patients require 2–4 sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart. The number depends on the size of the area, the amount of fat present and individual response. A double chin often achieves excellent results in 2–3 sessions. Larger body areas typically require 3–4. Dr Gregorio assesses the area at consultation and gives you a realistic estimate of the sessions needed.
A burning or stinging sensation during and immediately after injection is expected — this is the deoxycholic acid reacting with fat tissue. Topical numbing cream is applied beforehand to reduce surface discomfort. The burning sensation typically resolves within 30–60 minutes of treatment. Post-treatment tenderness and swelling over the following days are normal.
Swelling is most pronounced in the first 3–5 days and is particularly significant under the chin — the area can appear larger before it looks smaller. Most swelling resolves within 1–2 weeks. Some firmness or lumpiness may persist for a further 2–4 weeks as the tissue reorganises. Full results of each session are visible at 4–6 weeks. Schedule around important social commitments accordingly.
The submental area (double chin) has the most established evidence and product licensing for this treatment. Fat dissolving injections may also be considered for other areas such as jowls, bra fat, inner and outer thighs, lower abdomen, flanks, upper arms and knees, though the evidence base and licensed indication vary by area, and treatment outside a licensed indication may be considered off-label use. Not all fat deposits are equally suitable — Dr Gregorio assesses the type, depth and anatomy of the deposit, and discusses the relevant evidence, during your consultation before recommending treatment.
Liposuction physically removes fat through surgery under anaesthesia — producing dramatic results in a single procedure but with significant recovery and surgical risk. Fat dissolving injections chemically destroy fat cells non-surgically, with no incisions, no anaesthesia and minimal recovery. For appropriately selected patients with small, localised areas of fat, injectable treatment may offer a non-surgical contouring option; liposuction is a different surgical procedure and may produce more substantial fat reduction. Dr Gregorio will advise which approach is most appropriate during consultation.