Am I a candidate for fat dissolving?

Fat dissolving works best on small, defined pockets of stubborn fat - not as a weight-loss treatment. We'll assess at consultation honestly - sometimes the answer is no.

Numbing cream helps. The injections themselves are tolerable; the deoxycholic acid stings briefly as it goes in.

What about Ozempic-style injections?

Different category entirely. Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs are for systemic weight management. Fat dissolving is a localised, surface-level treatment for small specific pockets.

Can I have fat dissolving while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No - we'd wait. The principle of treating non-essential cosmetic procedures during pregnancy or breastfeeding is to defer.

No. 08 · Nurse-led

Fat dissolving
in Whitley Bay.

Q: How many sessions do I need?

Typically 2–4 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart. Smaller pockets may need only 2; larger or denser pockets may need 4.

Q: How long until I see results?

Visible change builds over 4-8 weeks per session, as your body clears the broken-down fat cells.

Q: Is there downtime?

Significant swelling for 48-72 hours, sometimes longer. Mild bruising for up to a week. The area can feel firm or have small lumps for 1-2 weeks.

Q: Can I have it on multiple areas at once?

Sometimes. Two small areas (chin + jawline) often, yes. Multiple large areas, no - the swelling response and recovery would be too much.

Targeted Aqualyx for small pockets of stubborn fat. Chin. Jawline. Body.

St Mary’s Lighthouse at Whitley Bay, near Refined Medical Aesthetics in Seaton Delaval.

Duration

45–60 mins

Downtime

48–72 hrs swelling

From

£80

The approach

What to expect.

Aqualyx is a non-surgical injectable. For small pockets of stubborn, diet-resistant fat. I usually recommend 2 to 4 sessions for best results. Most often used on the chin and jawline.

Areas we treat: Chin · Jawline · Small body areas

Fat-dissolving treatment at Refined Medical Aesthetics, Seaton Delaval near Whitley Bay.

How it works

Three steps.

Consultation

A proper chat first. Your goals. Your history. Suitability. No needle today.

Treatment

Done by me. Prescription-only products. Sourced through licensed UK pharmacies.

Two-week review

Included with every appointment. Small tweaks at this review? On the house.

Pricing

What it costs.

Fat dissolving is priced by area size. We agree the area at consultation. This isn’t a treatment to book off a price list. Most clients need 2 to 4 sessions, four weeks apart, for proper results.

Treatment	Per session
Small area (under-chin). 45 mins	£80	Book
Medium area (jawline, bra line). 45 mins	£120	Book
Large area (flanks, abdomen pockets). 60 mins	£180	Book

Free 30-minute consultation if you’re new. I use it to check whether fat dissolving is the right answer for you. Often it isn’t. I’ll tell you that honestly.

The science, plainly

What it actually does.

Fat-dissolving injections use deoxycholic acid. A chemical your body already makes to help digest fat. I inject it directly into a small pocket of subcutaneous fat. The acid breaks down the membrane of fat cells. Their contents are released. Your body then processes and clears them through the lymphatic system over 4 to 8 weeks.

It’s slow. Gradual. The fat cells don’t magically disappear. They’re destroyed. Then removed by your body’s own systems. That’s why downtime includes a lot of swelling. Why a course is needed. Why results are visible weeks later. Not the next day.

It works for small, defined pockets of stubborn fat that don’t shift with diet and exercise. Classic candidates: the soft pad under the chin. Small bra-line bulges. Jawline softness. Occasionally upper-arm or abdominal pockets in clients close to their goal weight.

It does not work as a weight-loss treatment. It won’t give you a flat stomach if you have visceral or general body fat. It won’t replace exercise. Anyone selling it as a “shortcut to weight loss” is misleading you. I’d rather tell you that than take your money for something that won’t work.

Suitability

Who this is for.

Fat dissolving suits you if you:

Have a small, defined pocket of stubborn fat (chin, jawline, bra line)
Are close to your goal weight and the pocket isn’t responding to diet/exercise
Are happy to commit to a 2-4 session course over several months
Are 18+, in good general health, not pregnant or breastfeeding
Can tolerate visible swelling and bruising for a week post-session

I’ll send you elsewhere. Or postpone. If you:

Want general weight loss. This isn’t the tool for that
Have a BMI significantly outside the healthy range
Are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
Have an active autoimmune flare or skin infection
Have a history of disordered eating. We need to talk this through carefully
Are looking for a result before an event in the next 6-8 weeks

On the day

From door to done.

Numbing cream first. Especially for under-chin work. While we wait, we cover consent and the questionnaire. I take photos at consistent angles for the before-and-after.

I inject small amounts of product across the target area in a fanned pattern. You feel pressure. Sometimes mild burning. The deoxycholic acid stings briefly as it goes in. Whole appointment is 45 to 60 minutes.

Expect significant swelling for 48 to 72 hours. Mild bruising for up to a week. The swelling is the treatment working. Your body breaking down the targeted fat cells. Visible result builds over 4 to 8 weeks.

Aftercare & risks

The first week.

Expect visible swelling for 48-72 hours, sometimes longer
No alcohol for 48 hours
No strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Drink lots of water. Helps your lymphatic system clear the broken-down fat
Mild firmness or lumps in the area for 1-2 weeks. This is normal
Bruising can last a week; arnica gel and tablets help
Don’t book the next session until at least 4 weeks have passed

Risks: swelling and bruising are expected, not risks. Real risks include nodules, prolonged firmness, asymmetry if the body processes one side faster than the other, and very rarely, nerve irritation in the area injected. NMC-registered, fully indemnified, listed on NMC, Save Face and JCCP.

Common questions

Good to know.

Am I a candidate?

Fat dissolving works best on small, defined pockets of stubborn fat. Not as a weight-loss treatment. Looking for general weight loss? This isn’t the tool. I’ll assess honestly at consultation. Sometimes the answer is no.

How many sessions do I need?

Usually 2 to 4 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Smaller pockets may need only 2. Larger or denser pockets may need 4. I assess after each session to see if more is needed.

How long until I see results?

Visible change builds over 4 to 8 weeks per session. Your body clears the broken-down fat cells slowly. Don’t expect day-after results. It’s a slow process.

Is there downtime?

Significant swelling for 48 to 72 hours. Sometimes longer. Mild bruising for up to a week. The area can feel firm or have small lumps for 1 to 2 weeks. Plan around it. This isn’t a quiet recovery.

Is it permanent?

The fat cells that are destroyed don’t come back. But remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. Maintenance is about staying close to your weight at the time of treatment. Not more sessions.

Does it hurt?

Numbing cream helps. The injections themselves are manageable. The deoxycholic acid stings briefly as it goes in. Most clients say the burning is the worst part. It settles within 30 minutes.

What about the “Ozempic-style” injections I see online?

Different category entirely. Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs are for systemic weight management. Prescribed for medical reasons. Diabetes. Obesity. Fat dissolving is a localised, surface-level treatment for small specific pockets. Don’t mix them up.

Can I have it on multiple areas at once?

Sometimes. We agree at consultation. Two small areas (chin and jawline) often, yes. Multiple large areas, no. The swelling and recovery would be too much.

Can I have it if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. We wait. The principle for non-essential cosmetic treatment in pregnancy or breastfeeding is to put it on hold.

What if I have a history of disordered eating?

We talk it through carefully at consultation. I won’t treat someone whose body image concerns suggest fat dissolving isn’t the right answer. Sometimes the answer is “not now”. Or “not me. Speak to your GP first”.

Ready?