As we head into spring and start to think about swapping winter woolies for lighter clothing, it is often a time when we notice stubborn areas of fat that we would rather shed in time for summer. If the usual methods of a balanced diet and regular exercise are not giving you the results you want, perhaps you have considered a fat loss treatment.
Until relatively recently, cosmetic fat loss procedures involved invasive and expensive surgery, with a high risk of side effects and a long recovery time. However, now there are less intrusive and quicker ways to get rid of excess body fat. Two of the most commonly used methods are fat dissolving injections and weight loss injections.
However, these treatments work in very different ways, and are ultimately designed for different purposes. Here’s a look at what the benefits of each treatment are, and which one might be the best option for you.
What are fat loss injections?
Fat loss injections, also known as fat dissolving injections, are designed to target localised deposits of fat, such as under the chin, around the tummy, or under the arms. These areas are prone to accumulating fat that is stubbornly difficult to lose, even with careful eating and regular exercise.
At our Birmingham clinic, we use a special fat dissolving treatment called mesotherapy, which involves injecting or microneedling a blend of lipolytic components, known as a lipolytic cocktail, into the unwanted area of fat. This substance breaks down the fat cells, and they are harmlessly expelled through bodily waste.
The treatment should not be used as a weight loss method, and it is only recommended for people who are of normal weight or slightly overweight, and want a more contoured body shape. It’s also advisable to spend a few months following a diet and exercise programme to see if this will give you the desired results before embarking on the treatment.
What areas of the body can fat loss injections be used on?
Fat dissolving injections are most commonly used for contouring areas such as under the chin; under the upper arms (bingo wings); around the hips (love handles); the belly; the inner and outer thighs; back fat (bra fat); under the buttocks; and above the knees.
What are the benefits of fat dissolving injections?
The injections are a non-surgical method of fat removal that permanently destroys the fat cells after a course of three to six treatments. It’s a very quick procedure, usually taking around 30 minutes, and you can resume your usual activities after about one week.
The side effects are usually minimal, and may include swelling, redness or bruising at the injection site. This should subside within a few days. The full results are visible within two to four weeks.
What are weight loss injections?
Weight loss injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy work by regulating the body’s appetite and metabolism, and help you to feel fuller for longer. This reduces food cravings and over time lowers overall calorie intake. This enables people to maintain sustained weight loss, even when they have failed through other means such as a balanced diet and exercise.
However, these drugs are not licensed for use as a cosmetic treatment, and should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional. They are intended for clinically overweight or obese people who struggle to lose weight, and/or to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Weight loss injections can be very effective for people with a high BMI that is causing other health problems. However, it’s important to understand the potential side effects, which include nausea, constipation, and fatigue. When used in incorrect doses, serious side effects may include thyroid cancer and kidney damage.
Therefore, if your reasons for wanting to lose weight are purely cosmetic, you should avoid weight loss injections and consider alternatives. There is a lot of media attention surrounding drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic, with celebrity endorsements of a ‘miracle drug’, and scare stories of life-threatening complications.
For a balanced view, it’s essential to talk to a doctor or pharmacist, who will be able to assess if you have a clinical need for the treatment, and advise you on how to use it safely.
