aqualyx review - 15 things you need to know

the results of my research into aqualyx were somewhat surprising. we at dietspotlight did one of our intensive reviews, focusing on the ingredients, side effects, clinical studies, and customer service quality. plus we read countless user comments and responses from all over the internet. lastly, we summed up all of the information to give you the bottom line.

aqualyx can be purchased through their official site.

what is aqualyx?

aqualyx represents a water-based, fat-dissolving solution designed for injection into localized fatty tissue, with a focus on areas such as the stomach, back, chin, under the buttocks, thighs, hips, and knees. notably, it is not recommended for use around the eyes. functioning as a non-surgical intervention, aqualyx aims to address stubborn pockets of fat, providing a safe and effective alternative to traditional liposuction.

this innovative solution is particularly adept at treating small facial regions like the jowls and chin, where a single session can notably reduce fat deposits, imparting a more youthful and well-defined facial contour. aqualyx operates on the principles of ‘aquaplasty’ or ‘aqualysis,’ targeting localized fat areas, making it particularly useful in addressing pseudo-gynecomastia in men, arising from excess fatty tissue in the breast region.

the claimed mechanism of action involves the efficient liquefaction of fat cells by aqualyx, releasing lipids in the process. these liberated lipids are then managed by the body’s lymphatic system and subsequently excreted. it is noteworthy that the acid present in aqualyx is a naturally occurring substance within the human body, with an inherent role in promoting fat destruction.

in essence, aqualyx serves as a targeted, non-surgical alternative to traditional liposuction methods. available as an injectable compound solution derived from the deoxycholate family, it asserts its efficacy based on claims that over 3 million vials have been sold worldwide. the product traces its origins to five years of research and development led by professor pasquale motolese, emphasizing its non-surgical approach to fat dissolution.

it is manufactured by the italian firm marllor, but does it work?

• food chemistry – red macroalgae sugar is a sugar obtained from agar, which has anti-cariogenic properties. this means that this kind of sugar substitute is good for preventing dental cavities. the demand for this sugar is on the rise, given the increased preference for dietary sugars.
• human metabolome database – d-galactose is naturally found in mammalian milk, fruits, and vegetables.
• prs global open – “intralipotherapic technique, when performed properly with an appropriate adipocytolytic device and when proper precautions are taken, can be effective and safe for reducing undesirable subcutaneous fat deposits.”

aqualyx competitors

how did aqualyx start?

developed by professor pasquale motolese, a renowned aesthetic surgeon and a high-ranking member of the italian society of aesthetic surgery and medicine, the aqualyx was first brought to prominence in the aesthetic medical international congress in milan in 2004; and was launched globally in 2009.

the product received a ce approval in 2012 (as we shall explore later) and was launched the following year in the uk.

the product is now available in the uk and ireland exclusively through the distributor healthxchange pharmacy – a trustworthy supplier of pharmacy products to medical professionals in the aesthetic and cosmetic industry. aqualyx is manufactured by marllor biomedical, italy. their headquarters are at via don minzoni, 12 – 47842 s. giovanni in marignano (rn), and their logistics and warehouse is located at via torconca, 1 – 47842 s. giovanni in marignano (rn). they currently do not have a bbb page.

scroll below for one of the best products we’ve seen over the last year.

aqualyx customer service information

• contact form: https://www.marllor.com/en/contacts/
• email: info@marllor.com, comunicazione@marllor.com
• telephone: 0541 410286
• fax: 0541 954644

aqualyx claims

the aqualyx product website has mentioned that this product and the ensuing technique of aqualysis categorically has nothing to do with weight loss. aqualyx is only a means of body contouring, wherein localized pockets of fat are targeted and dissolved, thus giving a lean appearance.

it is claimed that results will start showing right after the one treatment, although patients should wait for between 3 to 8 sessions for full results.

it should be noted that the us food and drug administration (fda) approved the use of deoxycholic acid (also known as kybella, a derivative form of which is used in aqualyx) for treatment for moderate-to-severe fat below the chin (submental fat) in 2015. the use of this compound for targeting any other body fat is not approved and recommended.

this limited approval is based on the understanding that while deoxycholic acid is instrumental in breaking down cellular walls, it can do the same to other cells as well, including skin cells.

this means it can have some mild side-effects such as swelling/bruising, numbness, redness, and pain in the treated area, although more severe effects have also been seen in the form of nerve injury around the jaw and trouble swallowing.

the only compositional difference between kybella and aqualyx is that while kybella is deoxycholic acid, aqualyx is a derivative. as we shall see in the following segment, the ingredients of aqualyx have been tweaked to yield similar results more safely.

aqualyx ingredients

aqualyx is a compound solution belonging to the deoxycholate family, albeit modified to some extent. the deoxycholate family – the conjugate base of deoxycholic acid – is a bile acid, synthesized in the human liver. naturally occurring deoxycholic acid is used in the body’s natural fat emulsification process, where fat is broken down so that the intestines can absorb it.

the key ingredients of aqualyx include the following:

• sugar obtained from red macroalgae
• a monosaccharide sugar
• chemicals acting as a buffer system
• deoxycholic acid
• water (87%)
• sodium chloride (0.8%)

despite the scientific terminology for these chemicals, they are all derived from plants. let us take a look at each component chemical to understand their role in the product.

sugar obtained from red macroalgae

this hexose polymer can attract water and exchange it for molecules of the active principle (the biologically active ingredient of a pharmaceutical drug). it releases the principle slowly, as per bioresource technology. 

a monosaccharide sugar

a monosaccharide sugar, d-galactose, is responsible for providing energy and finds use as a substrate for biosynthesis of several macromolecules in the human body, per pubchem. 

buffer systems (4.2%)

this is one of the key components of aqualyx, which is responsible for ensuring that the sodium salt of the deoxycholic acid is delivered to just the intended spot.

sodium salt of deoxycholic acid

while preparing aqualyx, this ingredient – also known as a derivative of the deoxycholic acid – has been attenuated. in conjunction with the deliberate slowing of release by the hexose sugar, the reduced aggressiveness of this polymer makes, as per the developer’s claims, the product safe for use.

sodium deoxycholate – mixed with phosphatidylcholine – is often used in mesotherapy to induce lipolysis. we shall explore the concept of mesotherapy in detail below.

water and sodium chloride

the water content in the product is mainly used as a substrate and for injection purposes.

does aqualyx work?

the product website has been helpful in this regard. clinical evidence is listed, wherein the doctors have employed the aqualyx injectable solution instead of invasive liposuction procedures.

one particularly definitive study, executed by doctors in spain (one of whom, admittedly, is the external medical advisor of a distribution agency of aqualyx in spain), reveals why this product is safer and more efficient than its counterparts available on the market.

another study – performed by dr. pasquale motolese himself, and published in a european academic journal in the field of aesthetic medicine and dermatology – showed real differences in different sets of fatty tissues, subjected to other kinds of treatments; the cells exposed to aqualyx treatment exhibit maximum cellular degeneration, thus proving its efficacy.

however, due to the lack of any external study available, it is impossible to ensure the extent to which it works.

based on customer reviews, though, it seems that aqualyx provides only the assisted push towards fat reduction; subsequent maintenance of the status quo is up to the patients themselves. this can be achieved by regular exercising and following a healthy dietary habit so that the fat loss does not rebuild and get deposited in the same part.

another source of comfort is that aqualyx has received full ce (conformité européene) approval in december 2012, which means that the product has been tested and approved regarding the safety standards applicable to all states of the european union, according to the security and exchange commission. this means that aqualyx can be used safely without further testing or modification.

aqualyx benefits and results

the aqualysis treatment is suitable for those patients who prefer not to have invasive liposuction surgery or even laser lipo treatments. these latter forms of treatment are ideal for patients who are keen to rid themselves of a significant amount of fat. in contrast, for localized pockets of fat, aqualyx is a relatively hassle-free option.

the results take time to manifest themselves. this depends on the stability of cell membranes. thus, younger people, with more substantial and more stable cellular membranes, usually have to wait longer than older patients for the effects to manifest themselves. body conditions also play a significant role in determining the response rate.

regarding possible side-effects from using aqualyx, an extensive study appears to have been made (as noted on the product website), which can be summarized as follows. 331 therapeutic sessions were conducted on 145 patients, with a mean age of nearly 42 years and mean body mass index (bmi) of 24.78 kg/cm2.

more than 90% of the respondents were women. most of the treatments were tested in the abdominal region, followed by the flank. the results are as follows:

• a clear majority of the adverse effects observed were inflammatory and pretty mild.
• most patients reported some degree of pain and a stinging sensation throughout the process, although these sensations were usually tolerable and temporary.
• ninety percent of the patients suffered from erythema (redness of the skin) or hematoma (swelling of clotted blood within the tissues) in the post-operative stages. it can thus be safely assumed these are unavoidable manifestations in this form of treatment.
• no severe inflammatory lesions, ulcers, or skin necrosis were reported.
• however, some candidates reported experiencing nodules, although overall, no patient reported a severe effect of having received this treatment.

details on aqualyx and weight loss

while aqualyx is instrumental in eliminating pockets of fat, it should be noted that weight loss is not the ultimate aim of this product.

use of aqualysis is reported to cause increased urination, which in its early days, gave the impression that it was leading, in some way, towards weight loss. it should be remembered that aqualyx is merely a means to body contouring, as confirmed on the product’s website.

this is understandable, considering that the aqualysis treatment is targeted at localized areas of stubborn fat, as opposed to large-scale procedures like liposuction, which focus on larger volumes of fat, which, if removed, will lead to a noticeable drop in body weight.

how to use aqualyx

during a course of aqualyx treatment should be done only under the guidance of a doctor, surgeon, or a specialist. usually, two treatment sessions – each ranging between 30 to 60 minutes – are required to remove the stubborn fat in a particular part of the body.

this can be repeated up to 8 times, as per the number of fat patches required to be eliminated. this treatment is repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. the process can be broken down as:

• the medical practitioner usually applies a local anesthetic to ease the patient’s discomfort during the treatment process. this can be injected either separately or along with the aqualyx.
• the cell membrane of the adipose cell undergoes a change in surface tension when the solution reaches them. in the process, the permeability of the membrane increases.
• the skin outside the targeted area is then subjected to pulses generated by an ultrasound device. the fat cells thus swell and burst. therefore, microdroplets of fatty liquids are released into the bloodstream and are metabolized by the lymphatic system and finally excreted.

the elimination of fat under the neck or the chin usually takes less time to eradicate fat pockets in the hip and the thighs. though, it should be noted that the effects of using aqualyx are truly beneficial only if the patient follows a healthy lifestyle afterward and avoids weight gain.

potential aqualyx side effects

as with all products, using aqualyx will come with its own set of side effects, some of which are mild, while others can be serious.

the product website mentions that the patient is likely to feel swelling, redness, and skin irritation after each treatment session. some patients are also known to complain of light bruising. this can continue for up to 4-6 days. one patient is reported to have suffered scarring along the neck after being treated with aqualyx®, although this seems like an extremely rare occurrence and need not cause worry.

though unconfirmed, some reports suggest that this form of drastic fat disposal may not always be healthy; rather, it can disturb the body’s glucose and cholesterol level, causing complications at a later stage.

before using any medication for weight loss, make sure to consult with your doctor, per the national institute of diabetes and digestive diseases.

aqualyx product warnings

however, it should be noted that this treatment is never to be used on patients with the following conditions:

pregnant and lactating women are advised not to use this product. women are advised not to lose weight during the first two months after birth, as it is during this period, the female body recovers from the exhaustion of childbirth and generates an adequate supply of milk. reports have suggested that breastfeeding itself relieves the fat accumulated in the body, especially in the hip and lower thigh region.

patients with lipodystrophy (where the body is unable to produce fat) or any other pathological condition should refrain from this kind of treatment. fat tissues produce the hormone leptin, which instructs the body that no further food intake is necessary; and enables the production of insulin in the body. when a person is affected with lipodystrophy, the patient may not only suffer from the lack of this hormone but also suffer from other secondary problems,” according to the journal endotext.

patients who have reported any skin disease, especially in the area meant to be treated, should not undergo this kind of treatment.

patients under 18 or above 60 years of age should not opt for this treatment.

in any case, it is always advisable for potential patients to undergo a comprehensive health check and consultation sessions with their doctors before embarking on this procedure.

while it is still unclear why kybella is us fda approved, and aqualyx is not – given that the ingredients to both are mostly the same – it can only be assumed that the product has had the rigorous and more extensive scrutiny of the fda. also, it should be noted that the use of kybella is restricted to the area of the jaw, while aqualyx can potentially be used for any part of the body.

any aqualyx lawsuits?

so far, there have been no reports of any lawsuits filed against this product. backed by studies, and with ce approval, the product has not elicited any negative response regarding adverse complications.

although there have been sporadic customer reviews concerning the efficacy of aqualyx, these can be put down to factors beyond the product’s reach.

aqualyx alternatives

one of the biggest concerns raised by customers is the pricing of aqualyx. at $395-495 per treatment (as per the product website; some customer reviews have pegged this at a higher level), this cost is relatively high for ordinary patients.

when it comes to the body’s problematic areas – like the stomach or the hips, which involve longer courses – the cost can rapidly burn a hole in the patient’s pockets. on the other hand, when compared to the us fda approved kybella, aqualyx appears to be a more cost-effective option.

of course, the more holistic and cheaper way of reducing fat is to exercise regularly to maintain healthy body fat levels and follow a healthy diet plan. once these techniques have been applied, body fat does disappear, only to return if no measures are taken to keep it in check. considering the significant costs involved, it is not wise for patients to revert to this form of treatment every time the fat develops conspicuously in any part of the body.

besides the obvious choices of liposuction and laser lipo treatments, patients willing to lose adipose fat can choose other means. however, not all of these measures are universally accepted:

mesotherapy

this non-surgical procedure involves injecting a cocktail of several chemical compounds into the body to dissolve the fat and remove cellulite, according to the international journal of dermatology. this mode of therapy is especially used in the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks.

however, it should be noted that the injection used in this process can cause a certain amount of irritation to the skin. some patients also report a mild burning sensation after the injection. however, this can be assuaged to some extent by using a topical anesthetic. in any case, these symptoms relieve themselves after a few days.

the trouble with mesotherapy is that there is no uniformity in the kind of chemicals used in the concoction injected into the body. as a result of this, there is no concrete literature available that can favor or reject mesotherapy. there have been both happy customers and those who have faced complications following treatment.

thermage

also known as thermacool or thermalift, this mode of treatment involves the use of radio frequencies to tighten the facial skin. while this technique is not mainly aimed at removing fat, it can yield the same kind of skin-tightening effect as using aqualyx.

this method’s benefit is that it is aimed just beneath the surface of the skin, without bruising the epidermis. this instigates the growth of collagen and ultimately tightens the skin.

patients who use thermage treatments may complain of tenderness and a depression on the cheek that resolved shortly after being reported, states the journal of drugs in dermatology.

liposonix

this treatment mode employs one of the age-old techniques of using high-intensity ultrasound to target and dissolve fat cells. this usually entails 3 to 4 sessions. during each session, an ultrasonic probe is placed on the skin. upon massaging the skin with the probe, the ultrasonic frequencies target the fatty cells and melt them clean.

this concept is also used in aqualysis, albeit in conjunction with aqualyx. studies conducted by dr. motolese have shown that while using only ultrasonic pulses can dissolve fat cells, the results are more decisive with the use of aqualyx.

what users are saying

“i’m now a few months post my second treatment of aqualyx used to treat my double chin. i’m a skinny fat 10/12 , but even when a couple of dress sizes smaller i still had a pocket of fat under chin. so last year just before second lockdown had my first treatment. i swelled significantly first time, it was scary but it subsided over the next week. i would say the swelling was considerable and i was glad to be wearing my mask when out and about. it lasted about month. second time also swelled just as bad but it went down quicker. procedure was relatively painless but you do get a headache/ jaw ache for 24 hours after. it was worth it for me as it reduced that fatty deposit under chin. i also lost some weight during the summer which improved the overall appearance of my chin /jawline. but it’s definitely not a magic wand and the downtime is considerable. i would recommend choosing an experienced provider to avoid some of the problems people posting on here have had. northwest aesthetics were great / medically qualified and definitely answered any worries i had.”

“i have had two aqualyx treatments on outer thigh area. one in april and second in june. my skin is still tender and numb in areas. i have a swollen lymph gland in my left groin which only appeared since the treatment, which has required me to have ultrasound. i also get a strange cold dripping sensation under my skin on my thighs. i thought there might have been a slight difference in the first treatment but i think that was just the swelling going down. there is no noticeable difference at all. a waste of £300.”

“couldn’t be happier with the results of my 2 x aqualyx treatments on double chin. the swelling was pretty bad after each time, but only lasted at it’s worst (bullfrog style!) a few days and after a week looked ok and more ‘normal’. saw results after 1 month, had the two treatments 6 weeks apart. i had aqualyx in the double chin area and along the jawline and it looks fantastic. 18 months later still looks great!”

the bottom line – does aqualyx work?

now the moment you’ve been waiting for: our bottom line on aqualyx injections. well, we appreciate that this fat-loss procedure is available all over the world. but we have some reservations about it because of the steep cost. also, we’re concerned about the hassle and pain of the actual shots.

if you’d like to shed more pounds, then we suggest you choose a weight-loss program that is both affordable and backed by multiple clinical studies.

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