Aqualyx

Aqualyx is a fat dissolving treatment which is provided via an injection. It uses a deoxycholic acid solution, and can be effective in eliminating small fat pockets which exercise and diet changes have failed to combat. Manufactured by Marllor, the Italian company, Aqualyx has been available in the UK since 2013.

The treatment is designed to target hard-to-reach, localised pockets of fat under the skin's surface, and can be used to target fat pockets in the chin, buttocks, back, thighs, hips, knees, back and stomach.

Aqualyx is sometimes used to treat pseudo-gynaecomastia in men, a condition which is characterised by fatty tissue development around the nipples.

Am I a good candidate for Aqualyx treatment?

Aqualyx should not be considered a weight loss treatment; rather, it is a body contouring technique which can complement weight loss methods such as physical exercise, dietary changes and lifestyle changes. You may be a good candidate for Aqualyx if you are already maintaining your weight via regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Those who have reached, and are maintaining, their desired weight, will be best placed to assess the effectiveness of the Aqualyx treatment in addressing stubborn fat pockets.

You may not be suitable for Aqualyx if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have been diagnosed with certain pathological conditions or lipodystrophy. Aqualyx is only typically recommended for people between the ages of 18 and 60.

In many cases, joint problems can lead to pain in other areas of the body, such as the lower back, legs, buttocks, and groin. Joint injections - typically administered at the foot, knee, shoulder or hip - can help to ease these symptoms, too.

Benefits of Aqualyx treatment

- Potentially life changing - for individuals who are unhappy with their body shape, Aqualyx can boost confidence and be a life changing treatment option.

- Stubborn fat buster - some people just find it difficult to eliminate stubborn deposits of fat, even with the most disciplined exercise and diet regimes. That's where Aqualyx comes in, offering you a localised treatment which targets these small fat pockets.

- Safe and minimally invasive - compared to more drastic, surgical procedures - such as liposuction - Aqualyx is a minimally invasive treatment which requires a shorter recovery time.

- Permanent fat removal - if an exercise regime and healthy diet is maintained, Aqualyx can facilitate the permanent removal of fat pockets.

Because joint injections for pain are local injections, there can be a small risk of side effects when compared to other types of treatment. In the case of steroid injections, there is the possibility of avoiding larger doses of oral steroids, which are understood to have a greater risk of side effects.

Another advantage of joint injections for pain is the amount of time they can be effective for. While joint injections can lead to a temporary flare in inflammation and pain for up to 48 hours after the treatment, they take effect quickly, and can result in pain relief and a decrease in inflammation which last for up to several months.

The treatment itself is quick and safe, taking only a few minutes and typically not requiring any downtime.

Joint injections for pain also offer the benefit of working well as part of a wider treatment plan which includes other treatments such as physical therapy.

How Aqualyx treatment works

An Aqualyx treatment usually involves two injection sites. A local anaesthetic such as lidocaine will typically be administered ahead of the treatment. In some cases, the anaesthetic can be added to the Aqualyx solution and injected together with it. Ultrasound is sometimes used to guide the Aqualyx injections, improving accuracy and helping in the depletion of fat cells.

The time which an Aqualyx treatment takes will typically be determined by the size of the area being treated. The treatment usually takes between half an hour and an hour, and most people will need from two to eight treatments, which are scheduled four weeks apart. In some cases Aqualyx is able to achieve significant results in just one or two sessions. In general, fat pockets situated in the thighs and hips will take longer to treat than fat pockets around the chin or neck.

In some cases light bruising may be experienced following the treatment. This usually subsides within a few days.

Ultrasound may be used to help find the best injection site, and you will be instructed to lie down in a way which allows easy access to the injection site. The injection - of a mix which can include a numbing agent - will then be administered. You'll be given instructions on how to keep the injection site dry and clean over the next few hours, and you may want to use an ice pack to help relieve any pain.