Deoxycholic acid is an injectable indicated to reduce submental fat in adults, also known as double chin, being a non-invasive solution and safer than surgery, with visible results in the first applications.
This treatment can be performed in cosmetic clinics by a doctor or dental practice by a dentist, and the price of each application varies from person to person, depending on the amount of fat or the region being treated, for example, therefore, it is advisable to first carry out an evaluation with the doctor.
Learn about other treatments to eliminate double chin.
How Deoxycholic Acid Works
Deoxycholic acid is a molecule that is present in the human body, in bile salts, and serves to metabolize fats.
When applied to the gill region, this substance destroys fat cells, also known as adipocytes, stimulating an inflammatory response through the body, which will help eliminate cellular waste and body fat from the region.
As adipocytes are destroyed, less fat will accumulate at this site and the results are visible about 30 days later.
How the application is made
Deoxycholic acid should be administered by a health care professional, and a topical anesthetic may be given beforehand to reduce the pain of the bite. The recommended dose is about 6 applications of 10 mL, spaced for at least one month, however the number of applications will also depend on the amount of fat that the person has.
Deoxycholic acid is injected into subcutaneous adipose tissue at the gill region using a dose of 2 mg / cm 2 divided by a maximum of 50 injections of 0.2 mL each, to a total of 10 mL, spaced 1 cm .
The region near the marginal mandibular nerve should be avoided in order to avoid lesions on this nerve, which may cause asymmetry in the smile.
Contraindications
Injectable deoxycholic acid is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the injection site and in people under 18 years of age. In addition, it should also not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women because there are not enough studies to prove their safety.
Possible side effects
The side effects that can occur with the use of deoxycholic acid are swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, erythema, hardening at the injection site and more rarely, difficulty swallowing.
In addition, although rare, there is a risk of jaw nerve damage and infection.
