Fat dissolving injections are the treatment people ask about for the small, stubborn areas that diet does not touch: the pocket under the chin, the bra-line roll, the armpit bulge, the lower belly pooch. They work — on the right person, in the right area, with realistic expectations. They are not a weight-loss treatment, and anyone selling them as one is selling you something else.
How fat dissolving injections work
A solution is injected in a grid of small shots into the layer of fat just under the skin. The active ingredients disrupt the walls of fat cells; the body then clears the released fat through the lymphatic system over the following weeks. Treated fat cells do not come back.
Two families of product are used in Lagos:
- Classic lipolysis solutions — based on phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate, the longer-established approach. Effective; more swelling for the first week.
- Lemon Bottle — a newer, plant-derived formula that went viral for faster visible results and less downtime. We offer both, and the choice depends on the area, your budget and how much swelling you can tolerate socially that week.
What it is for — and what it is not
Good candidates: small, pinchable, defined pockets
- Double chin (submental fat) — the classic indication
- Armpit bulge (the roll beside the bra)
- Bra-line and back rolls
- Lower belly pooch and love handles in someone at or near a healthy weight
- Inner knees, upper arms (small areas), jowls
Not candidates
- Overall weight — the product cannot reach deep fat, and treating a large area needs a volume that is neither safe nor affordable. Medical weight loss (GLP-1 programs) is the right tool.
- Loose skin — dissolving fat under loose skin makes it looser. Skin tightening (RF, microneedling) is the tool there.
- A big belly that is firm rather than pinchable — that is visceral fat, inside the abdominal wall.
- Anyone who wants a result for an event in two weeks — the process takes a month per session.
An honest assessment at the start saves you money. We pinch, we measure, and we say no when it will not work.
Sessions, timing and results
- Per session: the area is marked, cleaned and numbed; injections take 10–20 minutes.
- Immediately after: swelling, redness, tenderness and a firm, "doughy" feel. This peaks at 2–3 days and settles over about a week. With classic solutions the swelling is more noticeable; with Lemon Bottle usually less.
- Weeks 2–6: the body clears the fat; the area gradually softens and reduces.
- Repeat: sessions are 3–4 weeks apart. A double chin typically needs 2–3; belly and back rolls 3–4; small bulges sometimes 1–2.
- Final result: 6–8 weeks after the last session.
Keep your weight steady during the course — the treatment removes cells, but the ones remaining will grow with weight gain.
Side effects and safety
Expected: swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness or tingling in the area for a few days to a few weeks. Uncommon: small firm nodules that settle over weeks, skin irregularity if too much is injected in one spot, temporary nerve irritation (around the jaw with chin treatment). Rare but serious: skin ulceration from product placed too shallow, and infection. These are why the injector's technique matters and why it is done in a clinic, not a living room.
Do not have fat dissolving injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an infection in the area, take blood thinners, have uncontrolled thyroid disease, liver or kidney problems, or are allergic to any ingredient. Tell us everything you take.
What it costs in Lagos
Fat dissolving is priced per area, per session, with the classic solution and Lemon Bottle listed separately (Lemon Bottle costs more per vial). Small areas — double chin, cheek fat, armpit bulge — are single-vial treatments. Love handles, the first back roll and the abdomen use more product; the abdomen is a minimum of two vials. Clients who need more than the standard amount are quoted for additional vials before treatment starts, so there are no surprises at the desk.
The current price for every area, including VAT, is on our Services & Pricing page.
Fat dissolving vs the alternatives
| Goal | Better option |
|---|---|
| A small pocket on a stable weight | Fat dissolving injections |
| 5–30 kg to lose | GLP-1 medical weight loss |
| Loose or crepey skin | RF skin tightening, microneedling |
| A square jaw (muscle, not fat) | Masseter Botox |
| Shaping while losing weight on a program | Body sculpting sessions alongside the program |
Many clients combine: a GLP-1 program for the weight, then fat dissolving for the chin and armpit pockets that remain, then skin tightening where needed. The sequence matters — dissolving fat first and losing weight second wastes money.
Book an assessment first
We treat fat dissolving as a medical procedure: assessment, honest candidacy, a plan with the number of vials and sessions written down, and a clinician doing the injecting at our Lekki Phase 1 clinic. If the area is not suitable, we will say so and suggest what is. Prices for every area are live on the Services & Pricing page.
Questions people ask
What is Lemon Bottle?
Lemon Bottle is a branded fat-dissolving solution (containing riboflavin, bromelain and lecithin, among other ingredients) that became popular on social media for its lower swelling compared with older deoxycholic-acid-based products. It is used the same way — small injections into the fat layer — and like all fat dissolvers it suits small, defined areas best.
Do fat dissolving injections really work?
On small pockets of soft, pinchable fat, yes — with visible reduction over a course. They do not work on visceral (deep belly) fat, loose skin, or large areas, and results vary between people. We assess the area first and tell you if it is not a good candidate.
How many vials do I need?
It depends on the size of the area. A double chin is usually one vial per session; armpit bulges one; the abdomen a minimum of two; back rolls one per roll. Larger areas are priced with additional vials, and we quote before we start.
Is it painful?
A series of small injections with a fine needle. There is a stinging or burning feeling during and for a few minutes after; the treated area then feels tender and swollen for several days. Numbing cream and ice make it very manageable.
Who should not have fat dissolving injections?
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with an infection in the area, bleeding disorders or blood thinners, uncontrolled thyroid disease, liver or kidney disease, or a known allergy to any ingredient (bromelain is from pineapple). Also anyone expecting it to replace weight loss.
Are the results permanent?
The fat cells that are broken down are gone for good. The cells that remain can still enlarge if you gain weight, so results last as long as your weight is stable.
This article is general information for people in Nigeria and is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Treatments at The Baddie Lab are only started after a consultation with our medical team. Results vary from person to person. If you have a medical emergency, go to the nearest hospital.