Lipolysis injections, known in medical aesthetics as mesolipolysis (meso lipolysis), are a mesotherapy method in which special mixtures that target fat tissue are given in small injections into areas of local fat. The treatment is also described as body contouring with mesotherapy or fat reduction with mesotherapy.

The mixture aims to support the breakdown of fat cells and reduce their volume. The released fat is then cleared gradually through the body’s natural metabolic pathways. Some mixtures may also help the skin look firmer.

Mesolipolysis is not a weight-loss method. An active lifestyle and balanced diet are the basic steps; mesolipolysis is a supportive option for stubborn fat in certain areas that remains despite diet and exercise. If your body mass index shows excess weight, a complete weight-loss program is usually planned first, or alongside it.

One advantage of lipolysis injections is that they can be adjusted to the person and the area. The number of injections, the mixture and the interval between sessions are set to your needs, so a single small area or several areas can be treated.

There are many device-based and injection-based methods for body contouring. Devices use heat to help with local fat, while injections allow more detailed work in small and curved areas. That is why mesolipolysis can also be used where devices are hard to apply.

The most commonly treated body areas are:

• Abdomen and waist: Fat on the lower abdomen and the sides of the waist (“love handles”).
• Back: Bra-line folds and back fat.
• Arms: Fat on the backs of the upper arms.
• Side of the chest: Fat between the underarm and the chest.
• Hips and legs: Fat on the inner and outer thighs.

Mesolipolysis is suitable for both women and men. Men most often treat the abdomen and the sides of the waist, while women more often treat the hips, legs and arms.

If local fat comes with an orange-peel look, treatment can be planned together with cellulite treatment. For small local areas such as a double chin, PB Serum is a separate option. See double chin treatment for all options.

Treatment starts with an examination and analysis of the area. The thickness of the fat, skin elasticity and your general health are assessed, and if there is general excess weight as well as local fat, the plan takes this into account.

1. Photos and measurements of the area may be taken before treatment.
2. The area is cleansed and marked.
3. The prepared mixture is injected into the fat tissue with very fine needles, about 1 cm apart.
4. Ice is applied afterward for comfort.

A session is usually short, depending on the size of the area, and you can return to your day afterward. Sessions are repeated every 10–15 days. At each session the response is assessed and, if needed, the injection points or mixture are adjusted. PB Serum may also be one of the mixtures used in mesolipolysis; the product is decided at your consultation.

If the skin is noticeably loose, or fat reduction needs extra support, device treatments can be added. Onda Pro, which works with microwave technology, is one option that can be used in the same plan.

The number of sessions depends on the thickness of the fat, the size of the area and your metabolism. Most people have a course of 4–8 sessions, with the exact number set at your consultation. Spacing sessions 10–15 days apart gives the body time to clear the released fat between treatments.

First changes are often noticed after a few sessions, as clothes start to fit more comfortably. Because clearing fat cells takes time, results appear gradually.

When there is both internal (visceral) and surface fat, treatment may go beyond injections. A medical detox program that addresses metabolism and a personalized diet plan can be added. At our Nişantaşı clinic in Istanbul, the aim is lasting change through a balanced metabolism rather than calorie restriction alone, so local and general fat are addressed together.

After treatment, mild redness, tenderness, swelling and small bruises may appear at the injection points, and the area may feel full for a few days. These effects usually settle on their own within a few days.

• First 24 hours: Avoid saunas, Turkish baths and intense exercise.
• Water: Drinking enough water during the day supports your metabolism.
• Movement: Light walks may help support results.
• Diet: Avoiding heavy, fatty and sugary foods helps preserve the effect.

Fat usually does not build up as noticeably as before where fat cells have been reduced, but the remaining cells can grow if you gain weight. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, results can be kept for many years.