Demand for minimally invasive, nonsurgical fat-reduction procedures is growing in Korea and overseas, with clinicians at 365mc pointing to rising interest among younger patients seeking localized body contouring without the downtime associated with surgery.
365mc explains that deoxycholic acid-based fat-reduction injections can help manage localized fat deposits but may cause temporary swelling, bruising or tenderness after treatment. (Credit: 365mc)
The trend reflects a broader shift in aesthetic medicine toward targeted, lower-burden procedures such as injectable fat-reduction treatments and cryolipolysis. Son Bodri, head physician of 365mc Yeongdeungpo Clinic, said more patients are looking to refine specific areas rather than pursue dramatic surgical changes.
“In Korea, more patients are looking for procedures that reduce the burden of surgery while still offering body-contouring effects close to those of surgical treatment,” Son said. “This is especially linked to demand for managing localized fat or refining body lines after weight loss.”
According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, about 624,000 nonsurgical fat-reduction procedures were performed worldwide last year, making it the fifth most common nonsurgical aesthetic procedure globally. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has also noted stronger interest among younger consumers in subtle changes and minimally invasive treatments.
Son Bodri, head physician of 365mc Yeongdeungpo Clinic. (Credit: 365mc)
In Korea, clinics specializing in body contouring are expanding nonsurgical options in response to this demand. Deoxycholic acid-based injectable treatments are among the options used for localized fat reduction, particularly in smaller areas where contour refinement is the main goal rather than large-volume fat removal.
Deoxycholic acid, or DCA, is used to break down fat cells in targeted areas. Some DCA-based injectables have been approved by the U.S. FDA and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for submental fat, commonly known as a double chin. The treatment is generally used for relatively small areas where patients want to improve contour rather than remove large volumes of fat.
The procedure usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on the treatment area. Because it does not involve surgical fat removal, patients may see it as a lower-burden option, although repeated sessions are often needed over time.
The growing use of GLP-1 obesity drugs may also be affecting demand for body-contouring procedures. As more patients lose weight through medication, some are turning to localized treatments to address remaining fat deposits or refine body lines after weight reduction.
DCA-based injectable treatments are typically performed more than once, with the number of sessions and interval adjusted according to fat thickness, treatment response and the treated area. Some products approved for double-chin improvement, for example, are designed to be administered multiple times at roughly one-month intervals.
Because the treatment works by acting directly on the fat layer, temporary local reactions can occur after injection. Son said these reactions should be explained clearly to patients before treatment.
“After the procedure, temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness, warmth or firmness may occur,” Son said. “These are local reactions that can appear as the drug acts on the fat layer, and most tend to ease over time.”
Injectable fat-reduction treatments and liposuction both aim to reduce fat, but their methods and expected outcomes differ.
Injectable fat reduction uses a drug to disrupt fat cell membranes, after which the treated fat is gradually processed and removed through the body’s metabolic pathways. It is usually considered for smaller areas such as a double chin, upper arms or accessory breast tissue, where the goal is to refine contour or reduce localized volume.
Liposuction, by contrast, removes fat cells directly through a cannula inserted into the fat layer. Because it can remove a larger amount of fat at once, it is often used for broader areas such as the abdomen or thighs and may produce more visible body-shape changes over a shorter period.
Son said patients should follow medical guidance after treatment because temporary reactions such as swelling, bruising and tenderness can occur.
“Patients should avoid alcohol, saunas and strenuous exercise for a certain period after treatment and monitor their condition according to medical advice,” Son said.
Lee Han-soo
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