Lipo Dissolve Treatment

Lipo-Dissolve is marketed as an easy way to dissolve fat without surgery. But some doctors are not so sure this procedure--a series of injections--works. Critics say it can even cause serious side effects.

History

• According to articles in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal, Lipo-Dissolve is similar to mesotherapy, which was developed in Europe as a series of injections to help with pain relief. But the cosmetic applications for fat and cellulite removal have made it increasingly popular in the U.S.

Effects

• A network of dermatologists describes Lipo-Dissolve as a series of minscule injections that include what they call "two naturally occurring chemicals, phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate...These chemicals act like detergents and have the ability to dissolve fat." The group, DermaNetwork, says the substances are normally stored in the gall bladder and help in the digestion of fat.

  Once the Lipo-Dissolve injections are made, DermaNetwork says the fat breaks down and is cleaned up by the body's scavenging cells within a few weeks. DermaNetwork says one to four sessions may be required to treat an area, and doctors wait between four and six weeks between sessions. It must be noted that the group, DermaNetwork, also provides referrals to dermatologists who perform the procedure.

  In an email in August 2009, FDA spokeswoman Mary Long wrote "The FDA is aware of the practice of mesotherapy using Lipo-Dissolve and similar products. Lipo-Dissolve is not FDA-approved for any use. In fact, there are no FDA-approved drugs to dissolve fat. The FDA cannot assure the safety and efficacy of these types of drugs."

Possible Side Effects

• Some doctors say that, even though Lipo-Dissolve is considered a noninvasive procedure, there can be serious side effects.

  Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic nutritionist, writes on the Mayo Clinic website that, while the aim of Lipo-Dissolve injections is to kill fat cells, skin or muscle tissue can also be killed. She says people can get bacterial infections, skin ulcerations, allergic reactions, scarring and granulomas--masses of inflamed tissue. She also says another concern is that, in some cases, the shots are not administered by physicians.

  DermaNetwork counters that no serious side effects have been observed.

Does It Work?

• Articles in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal say there have been "experimental data" that the ingredients could reduce fat, but those effects have not been proven. The Mayo Clinic says there have been only a few small studies to see how safe and effective Lipo-Dissolve is, and the shots have not worked for everyone.

Warning

• As of August 2009, Lipo-Dissolve has not been approved by the FDA.