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Injection lipolysis in aesthetic medicine: mechanisms, clinical safety, and clinical applications
1Department of Plastic Surgery and Medical Cosmetic Center, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Background:
Injection lipolysis is increasingly used as a minimally invasive option for focal fat reduction. However, systematic data on its safety and efficacy remain limited.
Objective:
This review summarizes the development, mechanism, clinical application, complication management, and future directions of injection lipolysis, grounded in the anatomy of facial and cervical fat.
Methods:
We searched PubMed for literature published between 1943 and 2026 to trace the research history of lipolytic agents. In vitro data were used to compare the differential effects of deoxycholic acid (DCA) on adipocytes versus neural tissue. Clinical indications, injection techniques, and complication strategies were also reviewed.
Results:
Deoxycholic acid preferentially disrupts adipocytes and exerts cytolytic effects with relative tissue selectivity. The submental fat pad is the best-documented indication. Poor injection technique can lead to skin necrosis, marginal mandibular nerve palsy, and other complications.
Conclusion:
Injection lipolysis is an effective tool for spot fat reduction, but its safety depends heavily on anatomical knowledge, patient selection, and strict procedural discipline. Future work should focus on precision fat reduction and further clinical validation.
