If your under-chin area looks unusually full and you start searching for fat dissolving injections, questions pile up: which product will be used, what if lumps form, can it be combined with chin Botox? The area under the chin is where nerves, blood vessels, and salivary glands pass close by, so confirming the product name and the layer to be injected comes first. The approach differs depending on whether fat is actually the problem or whether the shadow is caused by skin laxity.

The Bottom Line First

Double chin fat dissolving injections are non-surgical treatments that break down fat cells under the chin by injecting a product beneath the skin. Results and risks depend on the product's ingredients and approved area, the actual thickness of the fat under the chin, the layer and volume injected, and the practitioner's judgment. The fat dissolving injection ingredient approved by the US FDA for submental fat is deoxycholic acid, and areas other than under the chin are outside the approved range (FDA safety communication). Even if two treatments share the name "fat dissolving injection," different products and approved areas mean they cannot be considered the same procedure. At consultation, confirm the product name and ingredients, whether it contains steroids, the approved area, the number of sessions and intervals, and how to contact the clinic if adverse reactions occur.

How Do Double Chin Fat Dissolving Injections Work?

Injectable fat dissolving is a non-surgical treatment that breaks down fat cells by injecting a product beneath the skin (FDA guide). Deoxycholic acid injection is used to reduce submental fat and improve the appearance of a double chin, working by breaking down fat cells (Cleveland Clinic guide). The principle is that when fat cells in the injected area break down, the volume in that area decreases.

Male doctor showing a skin cross-section diagram while consulting with a female patient

But is fat always the reason the area under the chin looks full? A shadow caused by skin sagging, tension in the chin muscle, the size of the salivary glands, and the shape of the jawbone can all make the same "double chin" appearance, but the causes differ. Fat dissolving injections target fat cells, so if the cause is not fat, other approaches should be considered first. This is why consultation examines both the thickness of submental fat and skin laxity together.

Even if the injection breaks down fat cells, the reason your under-chin looks saggy may not be fat. That is why, before treatment, we check "is what you want to reduce actually fat?" rather than "which injection do you want?"

Why Check the Product Name and Approved Area First?

Fat dissolving injections are not a single drug name. The FDA has approved deoxycholic acid injection for reducing submental fat, and has not approved its use in other areas (FDA guide). Yet online, unapproved products under names like Aqualyx, Lipodissolve, Lipo Lab, and Kabelline are being sold. These products may contain ingredients such as phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and sodium deoxycholate (DC), and the FDA has stated that it has not evaluated the safety and effectiveness of these ingredients.

Reports of permanent scarring, severe infection, skin deformity, cysts, and deep painful lumps after receiving unapproved products have been submitted to the FDA. Improper injection technique or treatment by unlicensed individuals can further increase the risk of scarring and infection. This is why the level of risk varies depending on which product is used, even under the same injection name, and whether it is approved for the area being treated.

Without knowing the product name and approved area, you cannot know what risks you are taking. On the ATTITUDE Clinic price list, facial fat dissolving injections are listed as "steroid-free," while contouring injections are listed as "face-only, contains steroid" (treatments and pricing). Confirming these same items at consultation makes the nature of the product much clearer.

Buying fat dissolving injection products online and self-injecting should be avoided. The FDA warns that such use can lead to infection or permanent scarring (FDA guide).

How Do You Confirm Whether Fat Under the Chin Is Really the Cause?

In the clinic, we do not look only at fat thickness when examining under the chin. We also check whether the skin is thin, whether there is sagging, whether you have had filler, skin boosters, or Botox before, and whether swelling or inflammation remains. The ATTITUDE Clinic column also explains that even with the same treatment, results can differ depending on skin type, thickness, and healing speed.

We determine the injection layer and volume by looking at fat layer thickness, skin thickness, and left-right differences in the facial line. Even in the same area, the required volume differs, so it is difficult to apply the doses written in someone else's review as-is. Whether injections are suitable also depends on whether the fat is thick or thin.

Even under the same chin, different fat thickness and skin condition mean different required volume and depth. Rather than asking only "how many cc," it is better to discuss which layer gets how much, and which areas to leave alone.

What Determines the Number of Sessions and Intervals?

The FDA-approved deoxycholic acid injection is indicated for up to 6 sessions, with each session at least 1 month apart. The label states that up to 50 injections may be given per session (FDA safety communication). These numbers are the approval criteria for that product. The same number of sessions and intervals cannot be applied as-is to other products or other areas.

The phrase up to 6 sessions does not mean "you must complete 6." The number of sessions is decided considering fat thickness and response, the speed at which swelling and bruising subside, and important schedules. If the response after the first session is sufficient, the next plan is adjusted; if nodules or lumps form, checking progress takes priority over the next injection.

The FDA's maximum 6 sessions and minimum 1-month interval are the approval criteria for deoxycholic acid injection. Do not apply the same number of sessions and intervals as-is to other products. At consultation, confirm both the label of the product to be used and an interval that fits your schedule.

Table 1 What Determines the Number of Sessions and Intervals?
Check item What we look at for double chin fat dissolving injections Why it matters
Product name and ingredients Whether it is deoxycholic acid, an unapproved product mixed with other ingredients, or contains steroids Approval status and side effect risks differ by product
Approved area Whether it is under the chin (submental) or another area such as cheeks or jawline The FDA approves deoxycholic acid only for under the chin
Sessions and intervals Up to 6 sessions, at least 1 month apart (deoxycholic acid criteria) Labels differ by product
Injection layer and volume Determined by fat thickness, skin thickness, and left-right differences The same volume does not suit everyone

Swipe sideways to see the whole table.

In summary Double chin fat dissolving injections cannot be compared by name alone. Product name and ingredients, approved area, steroid content, and sessions and intervals must be viewed together. Without these four confirmed, it is difficult to gauge the benefits and risks of the treatment.

If This Applies to You

Woman touching her chin while looking at a wedding dress, with a man watching

If you have a ceremony or photo shoot within two months

The time for swelling and bruising to subside varies by person, and if nodules form, they may last longer than expected. If you have an important date, rather than moving the treatment earlier, first calculate whether there is enough time to recover by that day. Some products, like the deoxycholic acid approval criteria, require at least 1 month between sessions, so a plan to have everything done at once is difficult to set up.

Woman seated while a man in a white coat lifts her chin to examine it

If you are unsure whether under the chin is fat or sagging

It is hard to distinguish by mirror alone whether fullness under the chin is due to fat or skin sagging. At consultation, we compare a relaxed face with a face with the chin lifted, and review skin thickness, fat layer, and previous treatment history together. This is also where cases that may need a different approach before injections are identified.

Woman pointing to her neck while holding a pill bottle, talking with a man in a white coat

If you have an underlying condition or are taking medication

If there is an infection at the injection site, or if you have recently had face or neck surgery or a skin procedure, tell us in advance. We also check neck conditions, swallowing discomfort, allergies to deoxycholic acid or other ingredients, and pregnancy or breastfeeding (Cleveland Clinic guide). If you are taking aspirin or anticoagulants, prepare a list of your medications before treatment.

Woman sitting on a waiting room sofa next to a small travel bag, with two people standing at the reception desk

If you want treatment during a short stay in Korea

Swelling or bruising may increase within a few days after treatment, and nodules or lumps may remain for months. If your stay is short, you need to decide in advance where you will have follow-up checks and where to contact if adverse reactions occur. Products that require at least 1 month between sessions may not fit a schedule of having one session and leaving the country.

Please tell us before consultation Recent sun exposure and skin care, medications and health supplements you are taking, aspirin or anticoagulants, previous filler, skin booster, and Botox history and reactions, infection at the injection site or recent face or neck surgery, neck conditions and swallowing discomfort, pregnancy or breastfeeding, allergies, and important dates such as ceremonies or photo shoots.

How ATTITUDE Clinic Proceeds

  1. AI skin analysis and records Skin condition is recorded and organized with a device. The analysis tool only records and organizes information and does not make a medical diagnosis; judgment is made by the doctor.
  2. Doctor consultation Your concerns, lifestyle habits, and previous treatment experience are added to the records, and the product name and ingredients, steroid content, approved area, injection layer and volume, and sessions and intervals are decided together.
  3. Treatment performed by the doctor The doctor injects directly according to the plan set at consultation, adjusting while observing skin and tissue reactions during treatment. This flow is intended to keep consultation and treatment consistent.
  4. Follow-up check Redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and nodules are checked, and the next follow-up timing and contact method are explained.

Four steps your doctor sees to in person

From the diagnostic device to the treatment bed, the doctor you first consult takes care of everything.

  1. A precision skin diagnosis device in a private diagnosis room

    Precision diagnosis

    In a private diagnosis room the whole face is photographed, recording even skin conditions that are hard to see with the eye.

  2. Co-Director Dr. Lee Dong Hun explaining skin analysis results on a screen

    Skin analysis

    The doctor goes through your pore, pigmentation, wrinkle and firmness results with you on screen and explains what comes first.

  3. Co-Director Dr. Lee Jae Min reviewing diagnosis results one-to-one with a visitor

    One-to-one design

    With your skin, the balance of your face, the change you want and your schedule in view, you decide the treatment and its extent together.

  4. Co-Director Dr. Lee Jae Min performing a lifting treatment in person

    Treatment by your doctor

    The doctor who consulted you performs the treatment from start to finish in a private treatment room. No one takes over halfway.

Co-Director Dr. Lee Dong Hun performing a treatment in person

“I take injection pain seriously.”

Co-Director Dr. Lee Dong Hun

Many people hesitate over injection treatments because they hurt. So we went back over everything, from the anesthetic to the products used.

  • Careful numbing, unhurried timingWe allow plenty of time for a special numbing cream to take full effect, and add anesthetic injections for the treatments and areas that need them.
  • Fine needles, finished quicklyInjection treatments use fine needles, and the doctor finishes them personally in a short time, adjusting along the way by watching how you are doing.
  • Even the product formulation countsThe same treatment can feel more or less demanding depending on the product, so we take that into account too.

The anesthetic method and whether it is used are decided after an examination, according to the treatment, the area and your condition. How much it hurts varies from person to person.

Because fat dissolving injections are performed with an injectable product, confirming the name, ingredients, and approved range of the product to be used at consultation is especially important. The ATTITUDE Clinic price list separately lists facial fat dissolving injection (steroid-free), contouring injection (contains steroid), and DCA, so you can distinguish which product is being used even under the same "injection" label (treatments and pricing).

Aftercare and Side Effects

Immediately after treatment, the injection site may become red or swollen, and bruising and tenderness may occur. These usually subside within a few days, but nodules or lumps may last longer, so it is good to keep a record of progress.

  1. A man in scrubs and gloves examining the under-chin area of a woman lying down
    Immediate check Check redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the injection site. If left and right differ greatly or pain worsens, tell the medical staff on the spot.
  2. Woman lying on a bed with a cloth-wrapped cold pack under her chin, with two medical staff beside her
    Soothing Calm the area as instructed by the clinic, and avoid rubbing or pressing hard on the injection site. Follow the day-of-treatment instructions for washing, makeup, exercise, alcohol, and sauna use.
  3. Woman applying moisturizer to her cheek in front of a mirror while a man beside her holds a tablet
    Moisturizing and sun protection Keep moisturizing so the skin does not dry out, and block UV rays when going out.
  4. Doctor photographing jawline with a small camera
    Follow-up check Record with photos and notes whether nodules, lumps, or redness are not decreasing. Showing the condition at the next follow-up makes planning easier.

Common reactions at the injection site are bruising, swelling, pain, redness, and tenderness. Nodules or lumps may form at the injection site, and the FDA identified 117 cases of nodules 3 cm or smaller or lumps larger than 3 cm associated with deoxycholic acid injection. Unresolved nodules and lumps lasted an average of 143 days, about 5 months, as of reporting (FDA safety communication). If they persist, medical treatment may be needed.

Other reported events include one-sided mouth corner elevation or a feeling of facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, nerve injury around the lips, tongue, or chin, blood vessel injury, tissue damage, infection, ulceration, necrosis, and hair loss at the injection site (FDA safety communication). Numbness or a feeling of weakness in the face and severe allergic reactions are also signs to check immediately (Cleveland Clinic guide).

If nodules or lumps do not decrease or grow larger, check without waiting for the next appointment. If one side of the mouth does not lift or swallowing is difficult, contact the clinic immediately. Redness, warmth, and spreading pain are infection signs that also should not wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are contouring injections, contouring injections, and fat dissolving injections different?

Even with similar names, the range of what is called what differs by clinic. On the ATTITUDE Clinic price list, facial fat dissolving injection is categorized as steroid-free, and contouring injection as face-only with steroid (treatments and pricing). "Contouring injection" is sometimes used as an umbrella term for several injectable treatments, so the ingredients cannot be known by name alone. At consultation, confirm the product name, ingredients, and approved area first. Instead of relying on the word "contouring," what is actually injected determines the results and risks.

Do fat dissolving injections contain steroids?

It depends on the product. Some products contain steroids and some do not, and even the same clinic lists them as separate items (treatments and pricing). Whether steroids are included is information that defines the nature of the product, so it is good to confirm and record it at consultation. This also helps when you receive other treatments later. Checking the product name and ingredient list directly is the clearest way.

Are double chin fat dissolving injections very painful?

The sensation varies with needle stimulation, injection volume, skin thickness under the chin, and individual pain threshold. How anesthesia is handled before treatment is decided at consultation based on the area and volume to be injected and the product used. It is difficult to promise pain in numbers, but if pain is severe or you feel dizzy during treatment, tell the staff immediately. Tenderness or bruising may remain after treatment.

When do results start, and how many sessions are needed?

The FDA-approved deoxycholic acid injection is indicated for up to 6 sessions, each at least 1 month apart (FDA safety communication). These numbers are the criteria for that product and do not apply as-is to other products. The timing of visible results varies with injection volume, submental fat thickness, and individual response, so follow-up timing is set at consultation. After the first session, the next number of sessions is adjusted based on the condition after swelling subsides. The goal is to receive as many sessions as needed rather than completing 6.

What criteria should I use to choose a clinic for fat dissolving injections?

First, look for a place that explains product name and ingredients, approved area, and steroid content in words. Other items to check include who performs the injection, whether infection, medications, and previous treatment history are reviewed before treatment, and how progress is monitored if nodules or lumps form. Comparing price alone can lead to mistaking different products with the same name for the same procedure. At consultation, ask about the product's label and the contact system for adverse reactions. ATTITUDE Clinic proceeds with AI skin analysis records, doctor consultation, and treatment performed by the doctor.

At a Glance

Table 2 At a Glance
Item Key point
Mechanism Non-surgical treatment that breaks down fat cells by injection beneath the skin
Approval criteria The FDA approves deoxycholic acid only for submental fat
Product check Name, ingredients, steroid content, approved area
Sessions and intervals Up to 6 sessions, at least 1 month apart for deoxycholic acid
Warning signs Nodules or lumps, facial asymmetry, swallowing difficulty, infection signs
Before consultation Medications, previous treatments, pregnancy or breastfeeding, important dates