Technology Briefs

Lipodissolve and Mesotherapy (Injection Lipolysis)

Thus far, there is a lack of clinical research in the United States demonstrating the safety and efficacy of injection lipolysis treatments. The first FDA-approved clinical study is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of this technology.

Injection lipolysis – often referred to as lipodissolve or mesotherapy – involves injecting a mixture of chemicals, generally consisting of a combination of phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate, into the skin and/or subcutaneous fatty tissue in order to dissolve fat cells. Some treatments also contain vitamins in the injection mixture.

Neither the injection mixture nor the method of treatment is standardized, and the procedures are not approved by the FDA for any purpose.

There are still many unknowns about these procedures. What happens to the fat cells once they are treated, how much fat is removed, and how the treatment affects other parts of the anatomy?

Some known side effects that may occur are allergic reaction, skin ulceration, scarring and infection.