Assessing the Efficacy of Deoxycholic Acid for the Treatment of Submental Fat: A Three-Dimensional Study
September 2018
in “
Aesthetic surgery journal
”
Studysummary This study found that deoxycholic acid effectively reduces excess fat under the chin, showing significant volume reduction and increased patient satisfaction in both aesthetic improvements and recovery experiences among the 13 participants. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study evaluated the effectiveness of deoxycholic acid in treating submental fat in 13 patients, using 3D volumetric analysis and patient satisfaction scores. Results indicated a significant reduction in submental volume after an average of 3.4 treatment sessions, with a temporary volume increase during recovery. Patients reported improved satisfaction, despite experiencing self-resolving paresthesia, and no major complications were observed. The study concluded that deoxycholic acid is an effective treatment for submental adiposity, with objective measurements aligning with patient-reported outcomes. Side effects were noted to decrease over time, and the study highlighted the importance of patient selection. However, the small sample size was a limitation, suggesting the need for larger studies to better understand potential serious adverse events.
