DESO Body & DESO Face Fat Dissolving Injections
Background
DESO BODY and DESO FACE are the next generation of injectable Deoxycholic Acid ‘fat dissolvers’ in the UK.
DESO Body/Face are state-of-the-art fat dissolving injectable products designed to treat those difficult localised pockets of fat. Areas that can be treated include a ‘double’ chin, the arms, abdomen, flanks, buttocks, inner knees, thighs and back or bra ‘rolls’. Depending on the area treated and the amount of fat involved, several sessions may be required to achieve the desired result.
In line with similar injectable treatments like Aqualyx®, the active ingredient is Deoxycholic Acid, proven to reduce fat deposits for the right patients. The product is conveniently separated into a face and body concentration and side effects are minimal. In addition, DESO is known to result in much less swelling than Aqualyx®.
When treating the body localised fat is reduced and skin firmness is improved. When treating the face, drainage of excess fluids takes place as well as reduced localised fat amounts.
This treatment requires skill with administration to obtain the best results. Injections may only be administered subcutaneously, avoiding muscular or dermal tissue. Only a qualified and appropriately trained Doctor/Nurse should be administering this treatment, and you should aim for a well scrutinised practice (for example, with Save Face accreditation).
DESO is manufactured by LOVE Cosmedical (Italy) and is available in two concentrations of sodium deoxycholate suitable for either the face or the body.
What is Deoxycholic Acid?
Deoxycholic acid normally emulsifies and solubilises dietary fats in the intestine, and when injected subcutaneously, it disrupts and destroys fat cells in that tissue making it the perfect agent to remove stubborn pockets of fat. Like most non-surgical fat reducing procedures, intralipotherapy using DESO FACE and BODY is not intended for the obese body but does target the fat at cell level making it one of the most successful formulas for targeting specific areas.
Side Effects & Complications
Serious risks of DESO treatment are extremely small, but these include redness, pain, irritation, allergic reaction, pigmentation, tissue necrosis (very rare) and temporary nodules. There are special aftercare instructions you would have to adhere to and the drainage of the treated fat cells can be improved by adding other therapies (e.g. compression and/or ultrasound).
Contraindications
DESO injections are contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding, acute/untreated hormonal disorders (e.g untreated thyroid disease, advanced organ disease (e.g. renal/hepatic failure), allergy to the substance or materials necessary for the procedure, severe autoimmune disease, immunosuppression, active infection and Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD).
Procedure
A thorough consultation is essential to establish 1) an appropriate indication and 2) no barriers to treatment. You have the opportunity to leave things as they are to consider matters further (a ‘cooling off’ period), or to proceed with treatment on the day following fully informed written consent. This means that following thorough discussion, you consent to the treatment with full understanding of the benefits and risks.
Following your consultation, an assessment is necessary to confirm that the area desired for treatment is suitable - this depends on the thickness of the fat, measured by ‘pinching’ with a caliper. Too little fat and the procedure carries unecessary risk. Generalised obesity is also inappropriate for DESO treatment. This assessment will allow up to calculate the amount of product required, the number of sessions, the safest session interval and the final cost of your treatment plan.
Examples of treatment regimes are given below.
The treatment areas are then marked and baseline photography is taken with your permission. The sterile product used is mixed with local anaesthetic and drawn up into a small syringe. The skin in the treatment area is cleaned then disinfected and the product is injected with a needle. Multiple injections are required per treatment area. The procedure causes minimal pain and lasts around 20-30 minutes, depending on the area(s) treated. You may notice tiny puncture marks and it is common to have localised redness. An compression garment may be recommended, depending on the treated area.
Prior to departing, a follow-up appointment is arranged and you receive aftercare instructions and clinic contacts in case of any concerns/emergency.
Aftercare
Following DESO fat dissolving injections we would advise that you:
Avoid Aspirin for pain to reduce the risk of bruising or bleeding. Paracetamol is acceptable. Intermittent cooling with ice can be used by applying for 5 minutes post-procedure. A simple fan can also be helpful for discomfort.
Bruising may occur. Avoid direct sunlight, sunbeds and heat therapies during the treatment period.
Avoid hot baths and showers (tepid water only) for 5 days.
Nodules are not uncommon. They can last up to a month and usually disappear without any intervention. However, your Practitioner would need to assess anything unusual.
A compression garment may be worn for 2-5 days following treatment (this will be guided by your Practitioner’s recommendation).
Contact your Aesthetic Practitioner with any concerns without delay.
Frequently Asked
+ How will I feel after treatment?
Redness in the affected area is common. You may experience bruising and/or swelling. Mild discomfort is common but some may have more prolonged pain. This can be managed and we provide guidance and support throughout your treatment journey. Occasionally, 'nodules' may form, but are transient and require no treatment. Should they persist, they may require more focused DESO injection.
+ Do I need to take time off work or cover up?
Not necessarily. If discomfort is minimal and the treated area is not visible (e.g. thighs, abdomen) there is no objection to working. Treating the chin area may result in visible redness, bruising and/or swelling so you may wish organise a few days off work, if this is an issue for you.
+ Do you provide compression garments?
In certain cases we may recommend a compression garment to aid healing. We provide a special chin garment. Otherwise, for areas like the buttocks, thighs and abdomen, supportive underwear can be worn (e.g. Spanx). These are not provided.
+ Is DESO Body/Face treatment safe?
Used correctly and in the trained hands of a Doctor, DESO treatments are very safe. No injectable treatment however is without risk. The absolute risk of serious complications however remains very low: The risk of damage to deep structured such as nerves, vessels and muscles is quoted at <0.01% data-preserve-html-node="true" in the literature. Necrosis of the skin at 0.0076% risk, with blistering and bruising as important warning signs. Allergic reactions are quoted at <0.002%. data-preserve-html-node="true" Very rarely, discolouration may occur (<0.002%) data-preserve-html-node="true" but this is usually temporary and related to bruising. There are rare cases of permanent discolouration.
+ Are the results permanent?
Yes, the fat cells in the treated areas are destroyed by this treatment. However, this does not stop your body's ability to put on weight. DESO is not a treatment for obesity, it is a treatment for stubborn, localised pockets of fat and body/facial sculpting.
+ When will I notice results?
This depends on the area treated and number of sessions required. Results are noticed approximately 4-6 weeks after your final session.
+ How long will my results last?
Results are permanent provided in the treated areas. However the treatment does not stop your body from accumulating new fat, if there is dietary intake/lifestyle issue. It is not a treatment for obesity.
+ How much does the procedure cost?
A session is charged at £250. More than one session may be required depending on the area and desired result. If your treatment plan requires more than 1 session, a 10% discount is applied when purchasing the full value of the course at the first session.
+ Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is usually very well tolerated with a small amount of disocomfort. Injecting DESO in the wrong 'plane' can trigger sharp pain (e.g. incorrect placement near the skin or muscle). Injection entry points are kept to a minimum for comfort.
+ How long does the procedure last?
The procedure itself is brief, lasting approximately 10-30 minutes depending on the area. We allocate an hour to the session to allow for thorough consultation, discussion of benefits/risks and to ensure any consent is fully informed. Procedures are not rushed.
+ What about alcohol and exercise following treatment?
It is best to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy alcohol in the first 24hrs after treatment. Exercise is otherwise acceptable. We would always encourage adherence to recommended guidelines on alcohol consumption, both for general wellbeing and preserving facial/body aesthetics.
+ Do I need a follow-up appointment?
We offer all patients a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks following treatment. This is to ensure results are satisfactory, there are no concerns and no complications. This interval also allows sufficient time to offer further DESO injections safely, if the treatment plan requires more than 1 session.