NEXT day delivery available - 3pm cut off
Worldwide shipping available
Free standard UK delivery on orders over £100
Fat dissolving injections have become an increasingly popular non-surgical option for reducing or getting rid of the stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise won’t reach. Whether targeting the chin, jawline, abdomen, or thighs, clients often choose fat dissolving injection treatments for their effectiveness, minimal downtime, and natural-looking results.
However, understanding the recovery timeline after fat dissolving injections is essential for both practitioners and clients. Clear expectations help practitioners deliver the highest standard of care, and help clients feel confident and reassured throughout every stage of healing.
Fat dissolving injections work by breaking down fat cells, which the body then metabolises and removes in a similar process to how dietary fat is broken down in the digestive system. This process creates temporary inflammation in the treated area. By understanding the typical healing stages, practitioners can guide clients clearly, and clients can follow appropriate fat-dissolving aftercare, reducing anxiety and helping results appear more refined.
In the first 24 hours after fat-dissolving injections, clients commonly experience swelling, warmth, redness, and tenderness. These side effects are normal and indicate that the solution is beginning to break down fat cells. Practitioners should advise clients that this initial swelling is expected.
Intermittently applying a cool compress, if needed, can help reduce discomfort, but clients should avoid touching or massaging the treated area unless specifically instructed. The swelling and tenderness at this early phase is typically mild, but reactions can vary depending on the treatment area and individual sensitivity.
Between one and three days post-treatment, clients will reach peak swelling. Puffiness, unevenness, firmness, and potential bruising are all common. Practitioners should reassure clients that this is the most intense stage of the recovery timeline and typically passes quickly.
During this period, clients should avoid:
Strenuous exercise
Heat exposure (saunas, hot tubs, sunbeds)
Alcohol
Anti-inflammatory medications, unless medically advised
These can each worsen inflammation or slow the treatment’s effectiveness. Encouraging clients to rest and stay hydrated supports the body’s natural healing process.
By the end of week one, most swelling will have significantly reduced. Some tenderness or mild firmness may remain, but clients usually feel much more comfortable. This is often when early changes start to become visible, though results will not yet be final.
Practitioners should use this stage to check in with clients and ensure the treatment area is healing as expected. Reassurance and clear communication help maintain client confidence throughout the process.
Over the next two to four weeks, the body continues to break down and eliminate the disrupted fat cells. Clients often begin to see a more sculpted shape or improved contour in the treated area. At this stage, results become progressively clearer.
Practitioners may schedule a follow-up appointment between weeks two and four to assess progress and decide whether additional sessions are needed. After all, some clients will achieve their desired result in one treatment, while others may require multiple sessions for optimal contouring.
The final results of fat dissolving injections typically appear between six and eight weeks post-treatment. Swelling has fully resolved, and the area appears smoother, more contoured, and more refined. Practitioners should evaluate the final outcome at this stage and provide guidance on whether further sessions would enhance the result.
For clients, understanding the recovery journey helps set realistic expectations. For practitioners, offering detailed aftercare advice ensures safer, more predictable outcomes. With proper communication and structured guidance, the fat-dissolving injection recovery timeline becomes a smooth, manageable process that leads to confident, long-lasting results.
Make the clinically proven fat dissolving injection choice and explore our range of fat dissolving injections today.
