All You Need to Know: Should You Buy Weight Loss Injections Online?

Syringe with a needle and yellow measuring tape

It’s common for women and men to have one area on their bodies where fat accumulates. It could be around the mid-section, buttocks or thighs, or maybe you have some unwanted fat under your chin. These stubborn areas are always the last to go when trying to lose weight with diet and exercise. So, you might want to consider the options below to help you shed that last bit of weight.

But should you buy weight loss injections online — and are they safe

Before we jump into all of the critical questions surrounding weight loss injections and their efficacy, let’s get an overview as to what types of weight loss injections are available: 

Saxenda (available at the Harley Street MD clinic in London)
Aqualyx fat dissolving injection (available at the Harley Street MD clinic in London)
Wegovy
Ozempic.

Complete Guide to Weight Loss Injections from Our London Clinic Experts

Quick Search

 What Are Weight Loss Injections?
 Do Weight Loss Injections Work?

 What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss with Injections?
 Are Weight Loss Injections Safe?
 How Long Does It Take To See Results from Weight Loss Shots?
 Is an Injection for Weight Loss the Right Option for Me?
 What Weight Loss Injection Is Best for Weight Loss?
 Where Can I Get Weight Loss Injections in the UK?
 Final Considerations: Buying Weight Loss Injections Online
 Weight and Fat Loss Injections at Harley Street, MD
Weight Loss Injection Treatment 1: Saxenda
Weight Loss Injection Treatment 2: Aqualyx
Alternatives Procedures to Weight Loss Injections
Why Choose Harley Street, MD, for Your Treatments?

What Are Weight Loss Injections?

The term “weight loss injection” may refer to several different types of treatment. At our reputable UK Harley Street clinic, certified professionals can provide Saxenda medical weight loss injections, injection lipolysis and other forms of weight loss treatment, such as fat freezing and shockwave therapy. Read on for more information about the weight loss injections we specialise in.

Do Weight Loss Injections Work?

Weight loss shots aren’t magic — they won’t instantly melt away your fat and can’t guarantee sustained weight loss if you’re unwilling to make corresponding lifestyle changes. However, if used as part of a wider weight loss plan, specialist injections can help reduce stubborn areas of fat and have been an effective form of weight loss treatment for many people.

Before considering any form of weight loss treatment, you should consider why you want to lose weight and what your ultimate goal is. You should never pursue a weight loss journey that makes you feel unhappy due to pressure from other people — this is a decision that should be made for yourself and should come from a place of empowerment and positivity. If weight loss feels right for you, injections are one method that can help you achieve the results you’re striving for.

What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Injections?

Weight loss shots shouldn’t be treated as a quick fix to reduce fat. However, they can be incredibly beneficial if you want to tackle particularly stubborn fat deposits, need a helping hand on your weight loss journey, or require some extra motivation.

People are increasingly choosing weight loss injections as an effective alternative to surgical procedures such as liposuction, as this minimally invasive treatment option requires no downtime. A single injection lipolysis treatment can be completed within 45 to 60 minutes, while Saxenda can be self-administered at home as long as you’ve received guidance from a medical professional.

Are Weight Loss Injections Safe?

Both medical weight loss injections and injection lipolysis are considered safe forms of weight loss treatment with minimal side effects. These treatments are licensed for use in the UK and are MHRA-approved. Weight loss injections should only be provided by a certified practitioner, who will discuss your options, run any required tests and provide professional advice alongside treatment.

Man in oversized pants in weight loss concept

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Weight Loss Shots?

Results and the time it takes to achieve them will vary depending on the type of treatment you receive and other factors such as lifestyle changes.

With Aqualyx, patients typically start to see results around eight weeks after their initial treatment, as this is when fatty tissue dissolves and passes naturally through the lymphatic system. Most people will need at least two treatments to see the results they’re looking for.

If you’re using Saxenda injections, you should feel its appetite-regulating effects from day one. The first round of treatment will last you at least 44 days, and you may begin to notice some weight loss within a few weeks. Although many patients achieve weight loss with Saxenda, there’s no guarantee of the result, the time it may take or the additional lifestyle changes required to lose weight.

Is an Injection for Weight Loss the Right Option for Me?

With today’s busy workload and mounting family obligations, many people don’t have the time or resources to devote to hitting the gym. You may find it hard to make time to prepare healthy meals for your family, or maybe you’ve struggled with your weight all your life because of genetics. 

Whatever your reasons for wanting to lose weight, these weight-loss injections are great options with little to no downtime. Fat reduction and weight loss treatments are very exciting for people who want to change their appearance without surgery. Our procedures are government-approved, safe and used by thousands of clients each year.

Weight loss injections may be a good fit for you if you’re struggling to achieve your desired weight, but you mustn’t see these treatments as a quick and easy way to reduce fat; your own efforts will also be required for positive results. These weight loss methods are designed to complement a healthy lifestyle, which means you should aim to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet alongside treatment.

If you’re close to your ideal body weight and want to target localised fat deposits, or you are severely overweight and looking to regulate your appetite through prescription medication, weight loss injections could be an excellent option. 

What Weight Loss Injection Is Best for Weight Loss?

Saxenda — This injection is administered daily and stays active for 24 hours. Subsequently, if you experience side effects, you can stop using it immediately, and they should subside quickly.

In clinical trials, the effects of liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda weight loss injections, have been found to accelerate weight loss by as much as 10% in randomised controlled studies.

Aqualyx — Aqualyx is a non-surgical fat-dissolving injection treatment that uses a solution of deoxycholic acid to target and remove stubborn fat deposits. When injected, Aqualyx dissolves fat cells and expels them from the body. This treatment is good for localised fat resistant to diet and exercise and is commonly used on areas such as the chin, thighs, and abdomen. 

Wegovy and Ozempic — these weight loss injections contain the same active ingredient — semaglutide. The difference between these injections is that the FDA approves Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy has been approved for weight loss. Both are now used as weight loss injections and can be prescribed by a doctor to help you achieve your ideal weight. Some people prefer these weight loss injections because you only need to administer them every week.

The main disadvantage of both of the above treatments is that they remain active for seven days. So, if you suffer from side effects, you will have to wait longer for them to stop if you discontinue treatment. A warning has been issued that Ozempic may cause thyroid tumours or thyroid cancer.

Where Can I Get Weight Loss Injections in the UK?

You should only ever seek weight loss injections from a certified medical professional. The right clinic will provide all the necessary medical advice and assistance, explain the procedure, and make sure your chosen treatment is right for you.

At Harley Street MD in London, an expert practitioner will professionally administer any weight-loss injections. In the case of Saxenda, a clinician will help you with the first injection and provide further guidance for self-administration at home. Weight loss injections are safe and effective with minimal risks and optimal benefits, but only in the hands of a trusted clinic.

If you’re thinking about weight loss injections, contact Harley Street MD today for a consultation. Our trusted medical professionals will help you find the best treatment option to help you achieve your desired weight.

Weight and Fat Loss Injections at Harley Street, MD

aesthetic cosmetology makes lipolytic injections to burn body fat on a woman’s stomach

Now we know a little more about the concept and science behind weight loss injections, let’s dig a little deeper into the two that expert aesthetic doctor Dr Chia Tan trusts the most — Saxenda and Aqualyx. 

Weight Loss Injection Treatment 1: Saxenda

Saxenda medical weight loss injections are a form of prescription medication designed to regulate your appetite and make you feel full more quickly. If you are clinically obese or severely overweight, Saxenda could be a good option for you.

Saxenda is a liraglutide injection that can be used to help overweight patients lose weight and keep it off. It emulates glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), an appetite hormone naturally produced in the body. This treatment works by regulating your appetite, which can help you consume fewer calories and lose weight. As with any healthy weight loss treatment, Saxenda should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to ensure positive results and improve overall health.

Studies into weight loss injections have shown that Saxenda is an effective weight management treatment when paired with healthy lifestyle changes. Five randomised, placebo-controlled trials consistently resulted in a 4-6kg weight loss.

At Harley Street MD in London, we offer medical weight loss treatments at our clinic to help clients who are struggling to lose weight no matter what they try. Saxenda has the advantage of being one of the UK’s easiest-to-use weight reduction injection therapies because it can be administered at any hour of the day, ensuring no disruption to your regular routine. Saxenda is also less expensive than Wegovy or Ozempic. 

Saxenda is an FDA and MHRA-approved medicine that helps regulate your appetite — so it’s great for those people who have struggled most of their life with their weight and have overeating problems. Saxenda can make you feel full faster, and prolong the sensation of satiety to help you not overeat. If you want to try Saxenda, set up a consultation and we can see if it’s the right treatment for you. 

We’ll guide you on how to self-administer the injections, and we set monthly follow-up appointments for the first three months to track your progress. When Saxenda accompanies a healthy meal plan and an active lifestyle, more people keep the weight off for good. With every drug, there are risks and side effects, but we will discuss your options when you come into the clinic.

Is Saxenda, the Weight Loss Injection, Safe?

Saxenda weight loss injections are FDA-approved and have been clinically proven to work. The glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist, Saxenda, controls your appetite, increases your feeling of fullness, and can prolong satiety. You will lose weight by eating less, and unlike previous diet fads, this therapy can assist in helping you maintain your weight loss.

Can You Get Saxenda on the NHS?

Saxenda is available on the NHS for patients who meet very strict criteria. Generally, you will have had to show you have actively tried to lose weight through diet and exercise before you will be considered for this treatment.

To be reviewed for Saxenda treatment through the NHS, all of the following must apply:

You have non-diabetic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) with a BMI of 35 or higher, or you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or African-Caribbean descent and have a BMI of 32.5 or higher.

You have a greater chance of developing heart issues, such as heart attacks and strokes, due to factors like high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

DISCLAIMER: Saxenda may help most patients lose weight, but there isn’t any certainty as to how long this will take or the reduction of weight that will be achieved. When using Saxenda weight loss injections, it is necessary to follow a low-calorie diet and/or undertake more exercise to acheive weight loss.

Weight Loss Injection Treatment 2: Aqualyx

Aqualyx Injection Lipolysis

Perhaps you’ve also heard of “fat-dissolving injections” and wondered what the difference is between these and traditional weight loss shots. When you receive Aqualyx injections at our London clinic, you’ll benefit from a flexible fat dissolving treatment that can be used almost anywhere on the body.

It works by dissolving fat cells rather than regulating your appetite. Aqualyx is often used to treat the following areas:

Upper arms
Stomach
Double chin
Buffalo humps (behind the neck)
Chest fat
Muffin top
Inner thighs
Pre-jowl area
Knees.

Injection lipolysis is a non-surgical and minimally invasive alternative to liposuction. Aqualyx is an injectable, gel-based compound solution that works by attaching to fatty deposits and breaking them down over time. The fat is then dissolved and flushed out via natural processes in the body.

Injection lipolysis can be used with great success to reduce fat, with treatments required every three to four weeks until desired results are achieved. On average, patients require three to five sessions in total.

Do you want to reduce fat in certain areas of your body quickly without surgery or slugging for hours on the treadmill? Then an Aqualyx fat dissolving injection followed by state-of-the-art 3D LIPO Ultrasound Cavitation could be the perfect solution. It might sound scary, but fat dissolving injections like Aqualyx are more popular than ever and are extremely safe.

Related reading: 7 Myths about Aqualyx Fat-Melting Treatment

Do you want to get a fat-loss treatment this year? Book a no-obligation consultation with our aesthetic treatment experts. We offer the best weight-loss treatments like Aqualyx and more to meet all your needs.

How Does Aqualyx Work?

The way Aqualyx works is simple — it’s injected into the adipose tissue under the skin and dissolves the fat cells. This fatty stuff then leaves the body naturally through the lymphatic system. Your chosen area — and how stubborn the fat is — will determine how many sessions you need. 

The treatment will be repeated, typically between two to five times, depending on the thickness of the fatty layer. We include the ultrasound cavitation treatment at no extra charge to tighten, reshape and tone the skin. There is no pain during this procedure. Come in for your consultation to go over your wants and needs.

Aqualyx injection lipolysis has been used in the UK since 2013 and is an EU-approved fat loss treatment. As shown in clinical tests, Aqualyx injections are effective in dissolving localised fat deposits; Aqualyx injections are a more targeted way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits and can be used to target fat reduction for various areas of the body. 

The process of injection lipolysis involves injecting a water-based solution containing deoxycholic acid, which dissolves the fat cell membranes. This results in the interior lipid (fatty) content being released. The liver and lymphatic system eliminate the fat over three to four weeks, and it is then excreted in your urine. 

How Quickly Can You See Results from Aqualyx?

Results from Aqualyx fat-dissolving injections are usually evident within three to four weeks.

Aqualyx: Common Fat Loss Injection for Men

Men might opt for this fat loss injection due to a larger portion of fat residing on their stomachs. This so-called “beer belly” can be stubborn. Other fat loss areas that are commonly targeted for men include:

Lower abdomen (belly fat)
Male chest (man boobs)
Double chin fat
Back of neck fat.

Aqualyx: Common Fat Loss Injection for Women

Women may opt for fat loss injections to tackle stubborn belly fat, but due to a difference in hormones, women may also have other areas they’d like to change. For example, women tend to have more fat around their buttocks, hips, thighs and lower stomach. The fat stored in the legs and buttocks, known as gluteofemoral fat, is a positive sign for their metabolic health, but some women may find this affects their self-esteem and may want a change.

Women often choose to treat the following areas:

Hips
Thighs
Lower abdomen
Buttocks.

But anyone of any gender can come to our Harley Street clinic in London for a free aesthetic consultation, where we can discuss your goals and how we can best achieve them.

Recommended Reading: How Do Fat Dissolving Injections Work?

Alternatives Procedures to Weight Loss Injections

Fat Freezing

Approved by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EU, fat freezing, otherwise called cryolipolysis, helps you lose fat in specific areas of your body. This non-surgical fat removal treatment utilises a regulated, exact cooling process. A CoolSculpting machine kills fat cells in particular regions of your body while preserving other vital tissues.

Each fat cell exposed to a temperature below -1C will crystallise (freeze) and sustain permanent damage. Their cell walls disintegrate as a result, which causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) to occur. The body’s natural elimination process will then rid the body of the dead fat cells and their fatty contents.

Results are typically evident within 12 weeks. While fat freezing cannot deliver an instant six-pack, muscle definition may become increasingly apparent if stomach fat is targeted and you also exercise and lift weights.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy releases sound waves that cause vibrations. The treatment is applied to specific regions, allowing for targeted fat reduction. The fat cells break down and are released by the body’s lymphatic drainage system.

As with fat freezing, muscle tone is likely to become more noticeable if you work out after shockwave therapy. Results can be noticeable two weeks after treatment. However, the final results can take months as the fat cells are slowly eliminated from the body. You may also choose to combine shockwave therapy with cryolipolysis fat freezing.

Recommended Reading: Non-Surgical Fat Removal: Freezing vs Fat Dissolving Injections

Final Considerations: Buying Weight Loss Injections Online

Before deciding to use any weight loss injections, consider a few final factors:

It is imperative that all weight loss injections are bought from a trusted source — the dangers of buying off-brand weight loss injections or for them to be administered in an unsafe way are evident and growing. Always make sure you opt for a reputable source or renowned aesthetic clinic
You cannot target specific areas with weight loss injections, and you may not lose weight from the areas of your body that bother you the most.
Weight loss injections are not a quick fix; you must commit to dietary changes and exercise to see the best results.
You may need to use weight loss injections for 12 weeks or longer to achieve your ideal weight.
Side effects are possible with any weight loss injection. Some more common side effects include vomiting and nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
Consider all of your options and discuss them with your GP. If you have been overweight for a long time or your weight is constantly going up and down, bariatric surgery might be your best option for long-term, sustained weight loss.

Also, if you are close to your ideal weight but have pockets of fat that you want to get rid of, then you may want to consider one of these three other non-surgical treatments for fat reduction.

Why Choose Harley Street, MD, for Your Treatments?

We are a trusted name within our industry, offering the highest standards, expertise and great results. Let’s explore why you should choose Harley Street, MD, for your weight loss treatment or procedure. 

Expertise and Qualifications

Harley Street MD’s Dr Chia Tan is renowned for his wide range of medical experience, impressive memberships and qualifications in cosmetic procedures. This includes for reliable weight loss injections and other weight loss procedures. With over 20 years experiene, Dr Chia Tan has the expertise needed to carry out reliable, high-quality aesthetic medical treatments.

Safety and High Standards

Harley Street MD adheres to the highest safety standards and protocols to ensure that all procedures are performed under optimal conditions. This commitment to safety reduces risks and enhances the overall treatment experience.

Personalised Approach

Each treatment plan at Harley Street MD is tailored to the individual needs of the patient, ensuring personalised care and top results. This customised approach helps address specific concerns and results in clients feeling calm ahead of their procedure — you can rest assured of your safety when you start treatment at Harley Street MD in London. 

Proven Results

The clinic offers tried and tested treatments for weight loss injections, known for its high effectiveness in reducing fat. These treatments have a strong reputation and are backed by positive patient outcomes — and all types offered are trusted by the expert Dr Chia Tan.

Long-Lasting Results

The weight loss injections offered by Harley Street MD are designed to give long-lasting results and help patients achieve their body goals. They are perfect when used alongside a good diet and an exercise regime.

Want to reduce excess weight to enhance your fitness and well-being? Schedule a consultation at our Harley Street clinic in London to find out if Saxenda weight loss injections could be the right solution for you. 

Evidence-Based Research and Studies

The research and study references we used, in addition to our internal research, are all referenced here; most of them have an external link to the scientific publication. We work hard to bring you the most recent, impartial, factual, and evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions.

References

Weight-loss injections pose a risk to health, say officials. From: BBC
MHRA warns of unsafe fake weight loss pens. From: MHRA
Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss. From: FDA
Amore R, Amuso D, Leonardi V, Leva F, Sibaud AC, Guida A, Costa E, Terranova F, Amodeo V, Gkritzalas K. Evaluation of Safe and Effectiveness of an Injectable Solution Acid Deoxycholic Based for Reduction of Localised Adiposities. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018 Jun 11;6(6):e1794. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001794. PMID: 30276043; PMCID: PMC6157955. From: NIH
Treatment — Obesity. From: NHS
Manolopoulos KN, Karpe F, Frayn KN. Gluteofemoral body fat as a determinant of metabolic health. Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Jun;34(6):949-59. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.286. Epub 2010 Jan 12. PMID: 20065965. From: NIH
European Medicine Agency — Saxenda. From: EMA

Founder at Harley Street MD
Dr. Chia Tan is a UK-trained and GMC-registered doctor and a respected member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM). As a former Clinical Education Fellow at the University of Warwick, Dr. Tan has published numerous articles in leading scientific and medical journals, highlighting his expertise.

His extensive qualifications and memberships reflect his profound medical knowledge and dedication to providing exceptional patient care in aesthetic weight loss, and men’s health treatments.
Dr. Chia Tan
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