Lipolytic therapy: indications, contraindications, stages of the procedure

From this article you will learn:

• What is lipolytic therapy
• For which areas of the body is lipolytic therapy effective?
• What are the contraindications to lipolytic therapy?
• What drugs are used for lipolytic therapy
• How is lipolytic therapy performed?
• What are the possible side effects?
• How to maintain the effect of lipolytic therapy for a long time

We all dream of a neat silhouette with a clear outline and no excess. However, these same excesses sometimes spoil the entire appearance. Weight loss is a long-term process, as is reducing body volume in problem areas. Lipolytic therapy is an injection method for body modeling. No, it will not lead to weight loss, but it will be an excellent assistant in eliminating small fat deposits.

What is lipolytic therapy

Lipolitics

- natural soy enzymes (NSEs) - better known as the food additive lecithin, which is present in some food products. In the body, this substance is produced by the liver, which is involved in the breakdown of fat cells and lipid metabolism.

To increase the effectiveness of lipolytic therapy, lecithin is supplemented with special components that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Once in the body, RRS break down only those fat cells that are damaged. For this reason, lecithin is supplemented with another substance - lipolytic deoxycholate, whose task is to destroy the membrane of adipocytes and convert available fats into an emulsion, which is subsequently excreted from the body.

The main reason for obesity is that lipid synthesis occurs more intensively than their breakdown. The resulting excess fat accumulates between muscle fibers, in subcutaneous fat, and on the walls of blood vessels. It is these deposits that lipolytics help get rid of.

So, this drug is capable of:

• convert excess fats into energy;
• regulate metabolism;
• restore lipid metabolism;
• normalize blood circulation.

Patient reviews, before and after photos

Lipolitics have already spread throughout the world, they are used in most clinics, and at the same time, there are few reviews about them. Let's look at what patients who have used these drugs say. Many of them even present photos before and after the procedure for introducing lipolytics for the face.

TATYANA, 48 YEARS OLD, MOSCOW:

“I began to suffer from excess weight after giving birth. I don’t know if my hormonal levels have changed, or if I’m doing something wrong, but the weight doesn’t go away. I often follow promotions at cosmetology centers, and one day I came across an advertisement. One famous cosmetologist spoke about the effect of lipolytics for the face. I followed the link to the video, watched the procedure and was hooked. I read how these drugs work, it seems convincing. I looked at reviews, before and after photos of other girls. 5 sessions cost 10,000 rubles, and I agreed without hesitation. RevitalCelluform was injected, 2 ml into the cheeks in the first session, and 4 ml in the second session. There was swelling, but it went away quickly, in about a couple of days. What can I say? Well, I expected more of course. But the result is visible: the face has become a little thinner.”

ANGELA, 32 YEARS OLD, NOVOSIBIRSK:

“I have an expressive appearance and have no problems with weight. In general, I can say that I am naturally thin. But I got cheeks like a dandelion. Round face and that's it. It was not so much my cheeks that unnerved me, but the double chin that formed every time I just lowered my head. In general, it's a disaster. I read that these are “Bish’s Lumps”, that they can be cut out, that many stars have done this - and nothing. I got excited and went to the doctor. The surgeon, apparently having seen enough of stupid girls and is already tired of them, says: “I would not recommend cutting out the Bisha lumps, since they have now brought in an experimental drug - a lipolytic for the face. If you want, we'll try it out. You will always have time to cut out lumps of “Bisha” if something happens.

I thought a little and decided to try it. Firstly, I was afraid of surgery, and there were a few injections with a thin needle. Secondly, there is no rehabilitation period. Thirdly, I got the result within a week. The cheeks became somehow smaller, which is why the effect was formed as if they had lost weight. But still, there is an effect.”

What are the benefits of lipolytic therapy?

Compared to other known methods of getting rid of excess adipose tissue, lipolytic therapy has a number of advantages:

• effectiveness in the treatment of delicate areas of the body - face, neck, intimate area;
• complete removal of not only fat, but also fat cells directly, which eliminates the possibility of relapse;
• short rehabilitation period and low risk of complications;
• absence of scars, scars, stretch marks after the procedure;
• excellent patient tolerance;
• As a conservative method of treatment, lipolytic therapy is absolutely devoid of the main disadvantages of surgical intervention - liposuction;
• allows you to cope with fat deposits from 1 mm to 6 cm in diameter.

Pros and cons of the procedure

Advantages:

1. Injections help fight excess fat without damaging the skin. There are no incisions or punctures, which cannot be said about liposuction.
2. Rehabilitation is fast.
3. The patient does not require anesthesia.

But there are also disadvantages to using lipolytics:

1. Most likely, more than one procedure will be necessary. About 6-8 weeks should pass between sessions.
2. It is impossible to get rid of a large amount of fat.
3. After the procedure, there is a risk of swelling, which does not disappear for about a month.
4. If there is excess skin, then it is better to give preference to liposuction with a tightening.

How does lipolytic therapy differ from mesotherapy?

The action of these methods is based on the principle of injection of drugs, and in many cases these drugs are similar. What are the differences between the two popular methods? When carrying out mesotherapy using lipolytics, the active ingredients are introduced to a depth of 5-6 mm, where the middle layers of the dermis are located. During lipolytic therapy, active substances are delivered to a depth of approximately 12 mm - this is the level of subcutaneous fat. This feature provides the method with higher efficiency, but at the same time it causes significant risk during the procedure.

The procedure should only be performed by doctors who have undergone special training. If a specialist incorrectly selected the drugs and their quantity or made a mistake when performing deep injections, the consequences for the patient’s body can be quite serious: the development of an abscess, tissue necrosis, and scarring. Due to the high risk of complications, lipolytic therapy is prohibited in some countries, including France and the USA.

Recommended articles on the topic:

• Thermal detoxification: lightness of the body and clear skin
• Body care procedure for tone and weight loss
• Weight correction: everything you need to know about the procedure

#5 rules for what to do after the procedure

Despite the fact that the introduction of lipolytics is not a complex manipulation, it is worth following certain rules in order not to encounter complications:

1. Carefully monitor your water balance throughout the week; to do this, drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water.
2. For the first couple of days, do not drink alcoholic beverages.
3. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling. It is better not to plan important events after the session, as you will definitely encounter swelling and bruising. They keep for about a week.
4. At first, avoid saunas, sunny beaches, and physical activity. Protect your face with special creams from ultraviolet radiation. Also, prolonged exposure to the cold will not be beneficial if lipolytics were introduced in the winter.
5. Cosmetologists advise avoiding decorative cosmetics for the first few days.

To recover faster, you should use creams that speed up healing.

For which areas of the body is lipolytic therapy effective?

Many methods of combating fat deposits cannot be used to work in delicate areas - on the face, neck, hands. The reason for this is the high level of trauma and the likelihood of unpleasant consequences (severe swelling, bruising). Lipolytic therapy will relieve you of negative residual effects and allow you to become more beautiful. As a result of many experiments, those areas of the body were identified, when working with which this type of correction brings the most positive results:

• chin;
• cheeks;
• eyelids;
• neck area;
• shoulders;
• fat deposits in the joints and hands;
• outer and inner thighs;
• stomach and buttocks.

Lipolytic therapy: contraindications

There are no specific contraindications for this type of correction. Lipolytic therapy has almost the same contraindications as any other injection-type cosmetic procedure.

The general list includes individual intolerance to the drug or any of its components, as well as:

• infectious diseases;
• inflammatory processes in the body;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• increased body temperature;
• wounds, abrasions and other skin damage at the sites of planned injections;
• dermatological and autoimmune diseases;
• the presence of any neoplasms;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• diabetes;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• cholelithiasis;
• bleeding disorders;
• phlebeurysm;
• mental illness, epilepsy;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• tendency to form keloid scars;
• age up to 18 years.

If you are prescribed anticoagulants, you must stop taking them two weeks before starting lipolytic therapy.

Read material on the topic: How to increase skin elasticity

The effectiveness of lipolytics

The drug is effective for eliminating fat deposits in unwanted places after body weight correction. Injections will not save you from obesity. They do not replace the need for a healthy lifestyle, outdoor activity and proper nutrition. They do not replace sports and diets.

Lipolytic injections are the final, finishing touch in the weight correction process, allowing you not only to lose weight, but to make your face more attractive. To maintain the effect of the procedure for as long as possible, it is necessary to monitor your body weight, avoiding excesses.

Lipolitics are also used to correct the shape of the face in case of metabolic disorders. The drug is safe and well absorbed by the body. It is suitable for correcting small defects. With its help, the cosmetologist, like a sculptor, corrects small details, making the face attractive.

If significant fat deposits are present on the face and body, more radical measures such as liposuction are required. But a small double chin, which is not associated with obesity and bulldog cheeks that upset women so much, can be removed with its help.

The most popular drugs for lipolytic therapy

Aqualyx

The drug is produced in the form of a gel, the active ingredients of which are:

• A three-dimensional polymer of galactose that plays the role of a carrier, linking molecules of the main substance. After entering the body, the substance gradually dissolves and releases sodium deoxycholate.
• Sodium deoxycholate is the main component of the drug; it dissolves the membrane and contents of the fat cell, causing the process of adipocytolysis. Thanks to the gel structure, the substance is evenly distributed under the skin, eliminating the occurrence of unevenness and bumps.

The duration of the course of therapy depends on the area being corrected and averages 2-3 procedures. Repetition of the correction is prescribed in accordance with the indications.

MRX-lipolytic complex

The composition of the drug includes:

• deoxycholate – destroys the cell membrane;
• benzopyrone – reduces inflammation and relieves swelling after an injection;
• carnitine – binds fatty acids and transports them to mitochondria for rapid oxidation;
• lidocaine - anesthetizes;
• Dandelion extract is a natural lipolytic.

The average duration of a course of lipolytic therapy using this drug is 10 procedures. The determining factors are the severity of fat deposits and the individual reaction of the body to the action of the MRX-lipolytic complex.

Dermastabilon

Active ingredients of the drug:

• bile salts (deoxycholate, which serves as a detergent and destroys the fat cell membrane);
• Phosphatidylcholine is a substance that breaks down fat and converts it into an emulsion.

During one course, 7–10 procedures are performed, the break between injections should be from 8 to 10 days.

Revital celluform

A course of lipolytic therapy using this drug consists of 5 injections, given once a week. To avoid the appearance of local fat deposits, this cycle is repeated twice a year.

The drug consists of:

• phosphatidylcholine, which breaks down fat;
• niacin, which produces energy for the body from adipose tissue;
• arnica extract;
• complex of vitamins and amino acids.

Revital Celluform has not only a lipolytic, but also a rejuvenating effect.

Read material on the topic: Deep atraumatic back cleansing

Aspects of work

To “soften” fat deposits and improve lymphatic drainage, the first 3-4 procedures are carried out with angioprotective and lymphatic drainage agents. A main injection is carried out (along the spine, thighs, legs) in the amount of 5 ml and a local one (to certain areas). Preparations with artichoke, rutin + melilot or ginkgo biloba extract are used. For example, Veluderm Natural Reducing.

To normalize metabolism and correct local fat deposits, direct and indirect lipolytics are administered, alternating with each other, in an amount of 5-10 ml.

To maintain the result and strengthen the skin at the end of the lipolytic course (3-5 procedures), preparations with DMAE, peptides, and vitamins are used. For example, Mesoestetic DMAE 3%.

What are the stages of lipolytic therapy?

The procedure, which involves introducing lipolytics into the body, is called lipolysis and lasts from 15 to 20 minutes.

The algorithm for its implementation is as follows:

1. At the initial stage, it is necessary to collect detailed information about the patient’s health status, the presence of contraindications, and possible consequences. The doctor collects anamnesis, conducts a preliminary conversation with the patient, talking about the essence of the procedure, and also carries out an initial measurement of volumes.
2. Next, the doctor injects the drug with the thinnest disposable needle into the subcutaneous fat of the problem area (to a depth of about 12 mm).
3. At the final stage, a soothing cream is applied to the skin.

Depending on what surface is being treated and what result is planned from the procedure, 1–3 ampoules of the drug can be used during one session of lipolytic therapy. After the procedure, the patient is recommended to rest for about 30 minutes, as well as drink clean water (at least 500 ml) to stimulate the removal of fat from the body. Going to the bathhouse, solarium and sauna, as well as any physical activity, is prohibited.

It is worth noting that injections during lipolytic therapy are quite painful, and the patient must be prepared for this. If the client needs pain relief, then lidocaine is added to the syringe or an anesthetic cream is applied to the treated areas of the body.

Do not worry if redness, slight swelling and bruising occur at the injection sites. The rehabilitation period after lipolytic therapy does not last long; usually the discomfort goes away within a few days. Cooling compresses will help relieve pain.

Injections for lipolytic therapy are carried out in courses, with breaks between which are several weeks. The body will need some time to get rid of waste products and recover, so the results of therapy will not appear immediately. As practice shows, the duration of rehabilitation is 2–3 weeks after completion of the course.

Read material on the topic: Lifting problem areas

Well

When using indirect lipolytics, noticeable results in the form of stimulation of the breakdown of fat reserves appear after 1-1.5 months, therefore, to obtain a lasting effect, 10-20 procedures are necessary with an interval of 1 time in 2-3 weeks.

When using direct lipolytics, there is a consistent change in processes from inflammation to recovery, so the course of procedures is 3-10 sessions with an interval of 1 time every 3-4 weeks.

Courses are repeated 1-2 times a year with effects lasting up to 10-12 months with an optimal comprehensive approach.

Does lipolytic therapy have side effects?

Lipolitics can be classified as safe drugs that rarely cause complications. Still, there is a possibility of unwanted side effects. What could cause them?

1. Individual reactions of the body

   , which resemble allergy symptoms and manifest themselves in the form of redness, prolonged persistent swelling, inflammation, burning, itching. If such reactions occur, you should immediately contact the doctor who performed the lipolytic therapy procedure.

2. Violation of hygiene standards, as well as cosmetologist errors when selecting a drug

   , its dosage, injection technology. Such cases, unfortunately, are not uncommon if clients turn to inexperienced cosmetologists or those who carry out the procedure at home. Performing lipolytic therapy in a salon that has not passed the certification procedure can also bring undesirable consequences in the form of seals at injection sites, fibrosis of muscle tissue (if the needle enters the muscle instead of the fat layer), inflammation and subcutaneous hemorrhages. To get the expected effect and avoid complications, contact the services of competent cosmetologists in a trusted beauty salon.

Contraindications

If at least one of the following points is present, you should avoid injections.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. individual intolerance to at least one component of the drug;
2. oncology;
3. viral and bacterial diseases in the acute stage;
4. pregnancy and lactation;
5. herpes in the acute stage;
6. cardiovascular diseases and varicose veins;
7. kidney disease;
8. HIV, hepatitis;
9. problems with the thyroid gland.

Before carrying out the procedure, you must consult with a cosmetologist to obtain a prescription.

Please note that the FDA has not yet approved this procedure. Plastic surgeon Injili Kitto

Cost of the procedure (and where can I buy the drug?)

You can purchase medications both in specialized cosmetic stores and in pharmacies.
The price of these products in Tula, St. Petersburg and even in the capital starts from 2,000 rubles per ampoule. Medicines can be bought or ordered online, provided that the supplier store is trusted and the product has not expired. The price of the procedure is determined by the reputation of the clinic, the doctor’s experience and the cost of the drug. It is strictly forbidden to choose the drug yourself. The type of substance can only be determined by a practicing cosmetologist when examining a patient. You also cannot rely on online consultations. The final price for the procedure depends on what drug was used, since the cost of different lipolytics differs. It is also worth considering how large an area needs to be treated and what qualifications the specialist has. Usually the price starts from 3 thousand rubles. https://youtu.be/hIlcc0BRx04
That's all you need to know about lipolytics for the face. There is still very little information about the positive results claimed by manufacturers and no one can guarantee the expected result. It is likely that the product has not yet been finalized and in the future we will see a really high-quality drug, but for now lipolytics are too overrated.

Expert opinion

• Cosmetologist
• Surgeon

Irina Dorofeeva

practicing cosmetologist

I would like to note that you should not hope to get rid of a lot of weight with the help of lipolytics. These drugs are intended for local use, that is, in a specific place. With their help, they can improve the figure or contours of the face. To achieve a positive result, you will need more than one session (about 2-10). Don't forget to change your lifestyle, eat healthy food, drink a lot of water, this will improve the effect.

Michelle Place

plastic surgeon

Such an injection procedure causes discomfort and pain. After this, you should expect swelling and hematomas. Pregnant women and young mothers who are feeding their baby with breast milk should avoid manipulation. To achieve the best result, it is recommended to supplement the administration of lipolytics with a special massage and hardware procedures.