There are areas that stubbornly refuse to slim down no matter how carefully you manage your diet and exercise. The double chin is a prime example, and when people finally reduce it through aggressive weight loss, facial volume tends to go with it, which can easily make the face look older. This article walks through the mechanism of the V-OLET injection used on fat in the double chin area, the treatment process, and the reactions that follow.
What makes the V-OLET injection different
V-OLET is an injectable made by Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Unlike the many conventional fat-dissolving injections whose contents are hard to identify, it is the only product in Korea approved by the MFDS for reducing fat in the submental (double chin) area. Its main ingredient is deoxycholic acid (DCA), which behaves similarly to the body's own bile acids: it emulsifies fat and breaks down the cell walls of fat cells. Rather than simply shrinking fat volume, it reduces the number of fat cells themselves. It also has an action that supports collagen synthesis, which can help with skin firmness in the treated area, and in clinical practice it is sometimes used off-label on areas such as the upper arms and thighs.
Is fat the only issue, or is laxity involved too
Looking at patients who come in with double chin concerns, it is not unusual to find age-related skin laxity layered on top of the fat. In that situation we tend to recommend several sessions rather than a single 2cc round of V-OLET, and depending on the condition, combining it with a firming treatment such as Ultherapy on the double chin area may help improve the outcome. How many vials are needed, and which combination suits your own double chin, should be judged by a medical professional who has examined your face in person, not by reviews found online. Every treatment at Skinique Clinic proceeds only after a direct consultation with the doctor who will perform it, and we make it a principle not to recommend treatments that are not needed.
From verifying the product to checking the empty vial
Once the consultation leads to a decision to treat, we first show you the unopened product and its expiry date, then open it in front of you and transfer it into the syringe.
After the treatment we also show you the empty vial. The reason we make the process this transparent, perhaps to an excessive degree, is simple: we believe trust is built when patients can see with their own eyes which product went in and how much.
Where and how the injections are placed
Before starting, the doctor explains the sequence to ease any tension, then injects the product with the chin tucked so that the double chin folds, focusing on the folding area. There are structures in this region that injections must avoid, and injecting indiscriminately without accounting for them can lead to complications, so the injection sites are followed strictly.
With a few brief stinging injections, the 2cc is delivered quickly.
Pain and swelling afterwards: is it a side effect
A heavy, tingling sensation and a warm flush can appear as soon as the product goes in. This is a form of inflammatory response caused by deoxycholic acid breaking down fat. It varies between individuals, but warmth, a dull aching pain and swelling can typically continue for about one to two weeks. Since these are natural reactions that occur while the product does its work, there is no need for excessive worry. If symptoms are unusually severe or long-lasting, however, it is safer to contact the clinic.
After the treatment, the area is calmed with an ice pack and you can head home. Consultation, preparation and treatment together take less time than most people expect.
Wrapping Up
V-OLET is an MFDS-approved injectable containing deoxycholic acid that works by reducing the number of fat cells in the double chin, and the warmth and swelling over one to two weeks after treatment fall within the expected range of reactions. The number of sessions needed and any combined treatments depend on the condition of your face, so please decide through an in-person consultation. Detailed costs are available on the price guide, and you are welcome to ask first through a chat consultation about what suits your double chin.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung, Chief Director. He is the Chief Director of Skinique Clinic and serves as Senior Director of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Trichology.
First published January 9, 2024 - Last reviewed August 23, 2026
This text is general medical information. Skin condition and response to treatment can vary between individuals. Whether and how to treat should be decided through an in-person consultation.