Fat under the chin is stubborn against dieting, which is why it stays on many people's minds for years. V-OLET is an injectable approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) that targets this submental fat. This article walks through the background that led to V-OLET, how it works, the order of the procedure, and what happens afterwards.
From Belkyra to V-OLET
The starting point for submental fat injections was Belkyra. Developed by Allergan and approved by the US FDA for reducing fat under the chin, it never came into wide use because the cost per session was very high, and it eventually disappeared from the market. Fat-dissolving injections known collectively as contouring injections filled the gap afterwards, but they had a limitation: every clinic mixed its own formula, some added steroids, and there was no standard for what went into them.
V-OLET is an injectable developed by Daewoong Pharmaceutical using deoxycholic acid (DCA), the main ingredient of Belkyra. The biggest difference from earlier contouring injections is that it went through clinical trials in Korean patients and received MFDS approval for improving submental fat. Rather than temporarily shrinking the size of fat cells, it works by dissolving the cell membrane so that the number of fat cells themselves is reduced.
With any injectable, however, the degree of response varies from person to person, so it is important to discuss with your doctor beforehand how much change can reasonably be expected for the state of your own submental area.
The procedure follows this order
At SKINIQUE Clinic, a V-OLET session consists of four steps: pain relief, product check, design and injection. First, numbing cream or a cold compress dulls sensation at the injection site, and the product to be used is shown directly to the patient before the procedure. The design step that follows matters especially: it marks a safe injection area that avoids the nerve running along the lower jaw, and sets the injection points according to the shape of each person's double chin.
Once the design is complete, small amounts are injected closely along the marked points.
What to know about the days after
Pain and swelling appear from immediately after the injection and usually continue for one to three days, while a firm feeling on touch along with mild pain and swelling can remain for about two weeks. This is an inflammatory response that occurs as deoxycholic acid breaks down fat cells, and it is a natural part of how the treatment works. Change can begin as early as the second week and is most often noticed around the one-month mark, though the timing and degree vary from person to person.
If loss of firmness is part of the picture
If your double chin involves sagging skin as well as fat, a plan that combines Ultherapy can be considered. Having both treatments on the same day can increase pain and swelling, so we generally recommend alternating them two weeks apart; for patients who find frequent visits difficult, we sometimes proceed with Ultherapy followed by V-OLET after explaining what to expect in detail. Detailed costs are listed on our pricing information page.
Wrapping Up
V-OLET is a submental fat injection that works by reducing the number of fat cells with deoxycholic acid. It is a treatment you can approach with confidence when the evidence behind its MFDS approval, a design process that avoids the nerves, and an understanding of what follows the session all come together. If you are wondering whether your double chin is the fat type or one where loss of firmness is also involved, ask us through chat for advice on the direction that fits your jawline.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung. He is the Chief Director of SKINIQUE Clinic and serves as Senior Director of the Korean Society of Laser Dermatology and Hair. First published February 11, 2022 · Last reviewed August 24, 2026
This article is general medical information. Skin conditions and responses to treatment vary from person to person. Whether and how to treat should be decided through an in-person consultation.