Beauty Industry & Med Spa
Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats)
Street names: Kybella, deoxycholic acid, Aqualyx, Lipodissolve, Fat melting shots
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Destroys fat cells at injection site — gradual slimming over 4–6 weeks
- FDA-approved ONLY for submental fat (double chin)
⚠Key risks
- OFF-LABEL DANGER: injecting body fat (thighs, stomach) outside the chin causes nerve damage, skin necrosis, uneven results
- Copycat 'fat dissolvers' sold online: unknown acids, wrong concentrations, permanent scarring
- Swelling, bruising, pain — chin treatment is weeks of recovery
- Nerve injury — marginal mandibular nerve damage causes asymmetric smile
- TikTok DIY trend: buying vials online and self-injecting
✚Overdose signs
- Severe swelling, difficulty swallowing (neck)
- Facial asymmetry (nerve injury)
- Skin necrosis at injection site
📋Quick facts
Also known asKybella, deoxycholic acid, Aqualyx, Lipodissolve, Fat melting shots
CategoryBeauty Industry & Med Spa
Schedule / classKybella FDA-approved (double chin only); copycats unregulated
AppearanceInjection vials of deoxycholic acid or phosphatidylcholine; injected into fat pockets
Street priceKybella: $1,200–$2,400 per session (2–4 sessions); copycat vials $50–$200 online
Legal statusKybella FDA-approved (chin only); off-label use and copycat products unregulated; DIY injection kits illegal gray market
Last updated2026-09-17
Sources: FDA, EMA
Category comparison — Beauty Industry & Med Spa
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats) | Kybella FDA-approved | OFF-LABEL DANGER: injecting body fat (thighs, stomach) outside the chin causes nerve damage, skin necrosis, uneven results; Copycat 'fat dissolvers' sold online: unknown acids, wrong concentrations, permanent scarring | Kybella: $1,200–$2,400 per session |
| Dermal Fillers (HA & Biostimulators) | Rx-only devices | VASCULAR OCCLUSION — the big one: filler injected into an artery blocks blood flow → skin necrosis (black dying skin) or BLINDNESS (filler migrating to eye artery; ~300+ documented cases); Unlicensed injector + no hyaluronidase on hand = occlusion becomes catastrophe | Legit: $500–$2,000 per syringe |
| Botulinum Toxin (Botox) | Rx-only biologic | BLACK-MARKET BOTOX: counterfeit vials, overdosed units, and fake 'Botox parties' cause drooping, asymmetry, swallowing/breathing difficulty; Injection into wrong muscle: eyelid ptosis (drooping eye), uneven smile — lasts weeks-months | Legit: $10–$15 per unit |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats) look like?
Injection vials of deoxycholic acid or phosphatidylcholine; injected into fat pockets
What are the signs of a Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats) overdose?
Severe swelling, difficulty swallowing (neck); Facial asymmetry (nerve injury); Skin necrosis at injection site Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
OFF-LABEL DANGER: injecting body fat (thighs, stomach) outside the chin causes nerve damage, skin necrosis, uneven results Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.