Lipolysis Melts Away Appearance of Double Chin

MIAMI BEACH — Phosphatidylcholine injections were found to effectively dissolve submental fat deposits associated with a "double chin" appearance without any significant adverse effects.

Up to five injections of phosphatidylcholine (PC) over 6 months yielded a 40%-50% clinical fat reduction in patients, said Dr. Glynis R. Ablon at the South Beach Symposium.

PC is a linoleic acid with anticollagenase activity that provides antioxidant and antifibrotic benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies, Dr. Ablon said. PC also has been used to treat hyperlipidemia, cardiac ischemia, and liver disease.

Lipolysis injections are often a combination of PC and deoxycholic acid (DC), a bile acid converted to a sodium salt that lyses fat cells. DC also is used in medications to reduce gallstones.

Dr. Ablon randomized 44 patients—38 women and 6 men—to a mixture of PC and DC, a DC solution, or bacteriostatic saline. Participants were aged 25–60 years and had mild, moderate, or severe submental fat deposits.

Caliper measurements of fat were made at a point midway between the submental crease and the hyoid bone. Injections alternated to the right or left side with up to five treatments over 6 months.

"We had great results with no significant complications. Patients were extremely happy," said Dr. Ablon of the University of California, Los Angeles.

This limited study showed 100% improvement and long-term benefit, she added.

All patients experienced some mild burning and edema. The burning lasted 15 minutes or less. The submental edema resolved within 8 days for 96% of participants, she said.

In addition, 28% of the patients reported submental erythema lasting 15 minutes or less; 16% reported discomfort; and 14% reported short-term paresthesia or numbness. No patient experienced hematoma, headache, or systemic complaints.

Additional studies are warranted, said Dr. Ablon, especially large, randomized trials with histologic images to confirm the dissolution of fat. "We are also doing studies of PC and DC for hips and thighs, as well as for anterior axillae," she said.

She pointed out that injection lipolysis differs from mesotherapy. With mesotherapy there are "no standard formulations, injection techniques or therapeutic doses, and that is a little frightening."

"Not only are non-MDs performing this procedure, there are people with no training doing this [mesotherapy]," Dr. Ablon added.

"In our practice, since 2003, we are doing strictly injection lipolysis with PC/DC or DC," she said.

Advantages of injection lipolysis include no downtime, typically minimal side effects, and use as an adjunct to liposuction.

She disclosed having no relevant conflicts of interest.

MIAMI BEACH — Phosphatidylcholine injections were found to effectively dissolve submental fat deposits associated with a "double chin" appearance without any significant adverse effects.

Up to five injections of phosphatidylcholine (PC) over 6 months yielded a 40%-50% clinical fat reduction in patients, said Dr. Glynis R. Ablon at the South Beach Symposium.

PC is a linoleic acid with anticollagenase activity that provides antioxidant and antifibrotic benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies, Dr. Ablon said. PC also has been used to treat hyperlipidemia, cardiac ischemia, and liver disease.

Lipolysis injections are often a combination of PC and deoxycholic acid (DC), a bile acid converted to a sodium salt that lyses fat cells. DC also is used in medications to reduce gallstones.

Dr. Ablon randomized 44 patients—38 women and 6 men—to a mixture of PC and DC, a DC solution, or bacteriostatic saline. Participants were aged 25–60 years and had mild, moderate, or severe submental fat deposits.

Caliper measurements of fat were made at a point midway between the submental crease and the hyoid bone. Injections alternated to the right or left side with up to five treatments over 6 months.

"We had great results with no significant complications. Patients were extremely happy," said Dr. Ablon of the University of California, Los Angeles.

This limited study showed 100% improvement and long-term benefit, she added.

All patients experienced some mild burning and edema. The burning lasted 15 minutes or less. The submental edema resolved within 8 days for 96% of participants, she said.

In addition, 28% of the patients reported submental erythema lasting 15 minutes or less; 16% reported discomfort; and 14% reported short-term paresthesia or numbness. No patient experienced hematoma, headache, or systemic complaints.

Additional studies are warranted, said Dr. Ablon, especially large, randomized trials with histologic images to confirm the dissolution of fat. "We are also doing studies of PC and DC for hips and thighs, as well as for anterior axillae," she said.

She pointed out that injection lipolysis differs from mesotherapy. With mesotherapy there are "no standard formulations, injection techniques or therapeutic doses, and that is a little frightening."

"Not only are non-MDs performing this procedure, there are people with no training doing this [mesotherapy]," Dr. Ablon added.

"In our practice, since 2003, we are doing strictly injection lipolysis with PC/DC or DC," she said.

Advantages of injection lipolysis include no downtime, typically minimal side effects, and use as an adjunct to liposuction.

She disclosed having no relevant conflicts of interest.

MIAMI BEACH — Phosphatidylcholine injections were found to effectively dissolve submental fat deposits associated with a "double chin" appearance without any significant adverse effects.

Up to five injections of phosphatidylcholine (PC) over 6 months yielded a 40%-50% clinical fat reduction in patients, said Dr. Glynis R. Ablon at the South Beach Symposium.

PC is a linoleic acid with anticollagenase activity that provides antioxidant and antifibrotic benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies, Dr. Ablon said. PC also has been used to treat hyperlipidemia, cardiac ischemia, and liver disease.

Lipolysis injections are often a combination of PC and deoxycholic acid (DC), a bile acid converted to a sodium salt that lyses fat cells. DC also is used in medications to reduce gallstones.

Dr. Ablon randomized 44 patients—38 women and 6 men—to a mixture of PC and DC, a DC solution, or bacteriostatic saline. Participants were aged 25–60 years and had mild, moderate, or severe submental fat deposits.

Caliper measurements of fat were made at a point midway between the submental crease and the hyoid bone. Injections alternated to the right or left side with up to five treatments over 6 months.

"We had great results with no significant complications. Patients were extremely happy," said Dr. Ablon of the University of California, Los Angeles.

This limited study showed 100% improvement and long-term benefit, she added.

All patients experienced some mild burning and edema. The burning lasted 15 minutes or less. The submental edema resolved within 8 days for 96% of participants, she said.

In addition, 28% of the patients reported submental erythema lasting 15 minutes or less; 16% reported discomfort; and 14% reported short-term paresthesia or numbness. No patient experienced hematoma, headache, or systemic complaints.

Additional studies are warranted, said Dr. Ablon, especially large, randomized trials with histologic images to confirm the dissolution of fat. "We are also doing studies of PC and DC for hips and thighs, as well as for anterior axillae," she said.

She pointed out that injection lipolysis differs from mesotherapy. With mesotherapy there are "no standard formulations, injection techniques or therapeutic doses, and that is a little frightening."

"Not only are non-MDs performing this procedure, there are people with no training doing this [mesotherapy]," Dr. Ablon added.

"In our practice, since 2003, we are doing strictly injection lipolysis with PC/DC or DC," she said.

Advantages of injection lipolysis include no downtime, typically minimal side effects, and use as an adjunct to liposuction.

She disclosed having no relevant conflicts of interest.