Double chin and fat-dissolving injection in Korea
Deoxycholic acid without steroid, in an area assessed first. Where the problem is lax skin rather than fat, this is the wrong treatment and you are told so.
What is injected, and why that matters
Composition is the question to askThe active agent is deoxycholic acid, a bile acid that breaks down the membrane of fat cells in the area it is placed. The cells destroyed do not come back, though the cells that remain can still enlarge with weight gain.
The formulation used here contains no steroid. This is worth asking about wherever you are treated. Fat-dissolving injections sold under many names in this market differ in composition, some include steroid to control swelling, and repeated steroid exposure in one area produces thinning and contour irregularity of its own. A cheap session that leaves a dent is not a saving.
When it is the wrong treatment
Fat, laxity, or muscleThe submental area looks full for two different reasons and they are not treated the same way. Fat responds to this injection. Lax skin does not, and removing fat from beneath skin that has lost its support can leave the area looking worse than it started.
Jaw position and muscle bulk also contribute, and neither is a fat problem. This is why the area is examined before a course is sold rather than after the second session has failed to change anything.
Where laxity is the main issue, focused ultrasound or radiofrequency is the relevant treatment. Where it is a mixture, which it often is, the order matters.
Alongside GLP-1 treatment
Many patients here are on tirzepatide or semaglutide at the same time. GLP-1 treatment reduces fat generally and cannot be aimed at one area, so a stubborn region is a common reason to add injections.
The sequence matters more than it appears. Losing a substantial amount of weight changes how the same area will look in three months, and treating it aggressively before that point can mean treating something that was about to resolve on its own. Where a course is already underway, the usual advice is to wait and reassess.
Prices
Lipolysis injection autumn 2026
Autumn pricing · VAT 10% not included
| Double chin, single session | $106₩150,000 |
| Double chin ×3 | $276₩390,000 |
| Flank, arm or saddlebag, single session | $212₩300,000 |
| Flank, arm or saddlebag ×3 | $496₩700,000 |
What to expect after
Swelling is part of it
- Marked swelling for three to five days, most noticeable under the chin
- Tenderness and firmness in the area for up to two weeks
- Sessions about four weeks apart, commonly two to four in total
- Not a treatment to have shortly before an event or a flight
Prices above exclude 10% VAT. A first consultation is $35 (₩50,000). This is the autumn schedule, valid 1 September to 31 October 2026; it is the same list quoted to Korean patients, with no agency commission and no international-patient surcharge. Prices after 31 October are quoted at consultation.
Frequently asked
What is in the injection?
Deoxycholic acid, a bile acid that disrupts fat cell membranes in the area injected. The formulation used here contains no steroid. That is worth asking about anywhere you are treated, because fat-dissolving injections in this market vary in what they contain and repeated steroid exposure in one area causes its own problems.
How much does a double chin injection cost in Korea?
On the autumn 2026 schedule a single session for the double chin is ₩150,000, or ₩390,000 for three. For flank, arm or saddlebag a single session is ₩300,000, or ₩700,000 for three. VAT of 10% is added and a first consultation is ₩50,000.
How many sessions does it take?
Commonly two to four for the submental area, spaced about four weeks apart. The number depends on how much fat is present and how you respond to the first session, so it is reviewed rather than sold as a fixed course.
What is the downtime?
Swelling is expected and is often pronounced for the first three to five days, particularly under the chin. Tenderness and firmness in the area can last a couple of weeks. This is not a treatment to have immediately before an event.
Does it work for loose skin under the chin?
No. It reduces fat. If the problem is lax skin rather than volume, removing fat can make the appearance worse, which is why the area is assessed before treatment rather than after. Where laxity is the issue, lifting is the relevant treatment.
Can I have this while taking Mounjaro or Wegovy?
Usually yes, and the combination is common. GLP-1 treatment reduces fat generally and does not target a specific area, so patients often use injections for a stubborn region. The sequence is discussed at consultation, because losing weight quickly changes what the area will look like in three months.
Is the fat gone permanently?
Fat cells destroyed in the treated area do not return, but the remaining cells can still enlarge with weight gain. It is not a substitute for weight management, and it is not protection against regain.
Do I need Korean health insurance?
No. A passport is enough to register. This is a private treatment for residents as well.
Ask whether this suits the area
Send a photograph from the side and tell us when you are in Seoul. We reply within one business day.