Every week, at least one patient asks me about the new "fat melting" lipodissolve injections that media reports have linked to the slimmer waistlines of celebrities like Britney Spears. Over the past few years, more and more doctors have been offering the treatment, and entire clinics devoted to the practice have sprung up all over the country. Alarmingly, it's now even possible to buy cheap home injection kits online.

I'd like to tell you what I tell my patients: Stay away! These injections are not FDA approved in the United States, have never been proven to work and may even be dangerous.

Lipodissolve involves injecting a compound called PCDC deep into the tissue. Sometimes it's referred to as Lipostabil, which is the name brand of a drug used to treat coronary artery disease in South Africa, Brazil, Italy and Germany.

Around 1995, doctors in Brazil began using Lipostabil off-label to target unwanted fat. However, after a few years they started to notice worrisome complications, including infections, skin death and extreme swelling around injected areas. Brazilian authorities were so concerned that they have since banned the practice -- that's really saying something because Brazil rarely bans products or cosmetic procedures. (To ask a reputable doctor in Brazil about her thoughts on this treatment click here.)

At least one study has confirmed these dangerous complications. Researchers in Austria found that PCDC injections resulted in tissue fibrosis and necrosis (death) of the blood vessels. There may be other long-term health risks as well, such as liver and kidney damage and aggravation of heart disease. Unfortunately, even though the procedure is not legal in the U.S., so far, authorities have failed to protect consumers: I have not heard of any arrests or disciplinary actions associated with the use of Lipostabil or PCDC.

Shame on physicians who perform these procedures when it is unknown if they are safe! If your doctor offers lipodissolve, I would suggest finding another who is more concerned with your safety. And please don't even think of buying a home injection kit. The risk of complications is bad enough when the treatment is administered by a medical professional, and you have no way of knowing if what you are buying is really PCDC.

A number of companies are studying safe alternatives to lipodissolve, but it will take 1 or 2 years of research before such a product becomes available. However, when it comes to protecting your health, I believe the wait is worth it.

Wishing you great skin!

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To learn more visit http://www.skintypesolutions.com/ or www.twitter.com/umiamicosmetics.

Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book, " The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com. 

All of Dr. Baumann's recommended skin care products are available online, and a portion of proceeds goes to The Dermatology Foundation.

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