The truth about lemon injections for weight loss: Are they safe?

These days, it seems like there's a new weight loss method popping up every other day, making all kinds of bold promises about what it can do for you, and this can make it hard to sort fact from fiction.

"Use this tool and get rid of your double chin for good!" a TikTok will say.

"Eating this one food will dissolve fat cells in just a few weeks!" an article will claim.

"This supplement is made with all-natural ingredients and will give you the toned appearance of your dreams without any other changes!" some so-called health coach will claim.

If you've been online recently, you may have heard about fat-dissolving injections that target stubborn fat deposits. But what is a lemon injection for weight loss?

Is it actually a thing, or is it just another fad that's bound to be replaced with something new in 3-5 business days?

In the article ahead, we'll break down everything you need to know about lemon bottle fat dissolving injections, from what lemon bottle injections are, to whether they work to target stubborn fat deposits and speed up the fat reduction process like they claim, or whether we should all just stick to traditional weight loss methods.

How do lemon fat-dissolving injections work?

Lemon bottle fat dissolving injections are a cosmetic procedure that aims to dissolve stubborn fat deposits in localised, targeted areas, like the face, upper arms, outer thighs, and other stubborn areas.

Lemon bottle injections have gone viral on TikTok this year as an alternative to surgical procedures like liposuction because they promise optimal outcomes with minimal downtime, minimal swelling, and minimal discomfort.

Sounds great, right? You get to reduce excess fat in precisely targeted areas for that youthful appearance we're all striving for, all with minimal downtime?

But are fat-dissolving injections actually an effective solution for stubborn fat deposits? How does it work? And how many sessions do people usually need?

First things first, it's important to note that lemon bottle injections are very new, which means that we don't have a lot of scientific, evidence-based studies that support all the benefits they claim to provide.

In fact, one doctor recently told The Guardian that the rapid rise of lemon bottle injections was concerning, as there was a lack of evidence to support the claims being made about them.

“It really does worry me,” Dr Sophie Shotter, an aesthetic doctor and trustee of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine told The Guardian [6]. “This is a product that is claiming to be the ‘fastest and strongest’ fat dissolver in the industry, but it doesn’t appear to have clinical evidence.”

Clinics that offer lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections claim that the natural ingredients work to provide targeted fat reduction by breaking down fat cells in specific areas [1].

Because it's a localised treatment, you can target one specific area or multiple areas for a body contouring effect, depending on your personalised treatment plan.

The clinician will inject the fat-dissolving injections into the area of concern, where the compound will work to aid fat breakdown. It does this by disrupting the fat cell membranes, which prompts the fat cells to release and be metabolised by the body [1].

What's in a lemon injection?

Lemon bottle injections boast all-natural ingredients that work to create a powerful fat-dissolving solution.

The key ingredients include Riboflavin, aka vitamin B2, which helps to metabolise fats; bromelain, an extract of pineapple that clinicians claim helps break down fat and reduces inflammation; and lecithin, which may help to break down both dietary and blood fats into smaller molecules [1][7][8].

When injected into targeted areas, the combination of these ingredients supposedly works to break fat cells into fatty acid, which is then naturally eliminated from the body as you urinate.

However, there is a lack of clinical evidence that this is actually the case.

"While there is evidence to suggest that bromelain, one of the components, can influence fat cells and fat breakdown, this work was conducted in a mouse cell model," Amy Morgan, a lecturer in human biology at Liverpool Hope University, told The Guardian [6].

"It is difficult to predict whether these results translate to human cells and to humans themselves,” she continued, adding, “I would err on the side of caution.”

Are lemon injections effective for weight loss?

Lemon injections are not intended for overall or significant weight loss. Rather, they are designed as a fat-dissolving treatment for localised fat reduction in smaller, more specific areas [1][2].

Here’s a breakdown of why they are not suitable for general weight loss:

Targeted fat reduction

These injections are meant to treat small, stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. They work on specific areas rather than providing a comprehensive solution for the whole body.

Weight loss vs. fat loss

Weight loss typically refers to a reduction in overall body weight, which includes fat, muscle, and water. Lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections solely target fat cells, which means that they don't affect muscle or water retention.

Therefore, they can improve body contour and appearance but won’t significantly impact your overall weight.

Small-scale results

These treatments may help reduce a small amount of fat, but they are not designed to remove large volumes of fat or work in place of a healthy lifestyle.

Typically, lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections are used as a cosmetic, aesthetic medicine, rather than a medical weight management solution.

Cost and commitment

Multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the desired results, and this can become costly. It also takes a few weeks for the body to metabolise and remove the dissolved fat.

For overall weight loss, a combination of diet, exercise, and sometimes medical interventions will be more effective than localised treatments like fat-dissolving injections.

Are there any risks to consider?

Yes, there are risks that come with lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections.

Common side effects from fat-dissolving injections include some swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site [1].

Some people also report pain, discomfort, and/or increased sensitivity around the targeted area after the local anaesthetic wears off. Numbing creams and ice packs can help to reduce discomfort.

Some else report temporary numbness or a tingling sensation near the treated area, which can last for several weeks after the treatment process.

Less common but serious risks

• Infection: As with any procedure that involves needles, there’s a risk of infection at the injection site, especially if proper hygiene protocols are not followed [1].
• Nerve damage: In rare cases, injections in certain areas (like under the chin) can lead to nerve damage, which may cause facial muscle weakness or an uneven smile [4]. This can be temporary or, in rare cases, permanent.
• Tissue necrosis: If not administered correctly, fat-dissolving injections may damage surrounding tissues, leading to tissue necrosis (death of the tissue) [6].
• Asymmetry: Uneven fat reduction can occur, leading to an asymmetrical appearance if the fat is not broken down evenly across the treatment area [1][6].
• Allergic reactions: People who are allergic to pineapple should not have lemon bottle injections [9].
• Difficulty swallowing: In treatments around the chin, there have been reports of temporary difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) due to swelling and pressure on surrounding tissues [5].

However, the risks of lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections don't end there.

You see, lemon bottle injections are currently classified as a cosmetic product, rather than a medical product, which means it is not being held to the same safety standards or testing that other procedures are [6].

There are additional risks that come with lemon bottle injections being classified as cosmetic, as it means the treatment can be administered by anyone, including those with no medical training [6].

Finally, there have also been some questions about what's actually in the lemon bottle treatment, as the product is not being tested or regulated to the same levels that it would be if it were classified as a medical treatment.

In fact, the Swissmedic laboratory that tested lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections "found that the ingredients do not match the declaration and even vary greatly from one pack to another" [10].

The Swissmedic report went on to state that in one sample, "the only substance found was caffeine" — and in another, "none of the ingredients listed on the packaging could be detected" [10].

Alternative ways to lose weight

With a lack of clinical evidence to support the claims that lemon bottle fat-dissolving injections actually help with fat reduction, you may want to look at alternate ways to lose weight and aid the overall fat-reduction process.

While losing weight may not offer the body contouring results that targeted fat reduction treatments aim to, it can help you improve your cardiovascular health and obtain a leaner, healthier body.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a healthy diet and regular exercise are the best ways to achieve this. But if you've been struggling with yo-yo dieting or just not seeing the weight loss results you want, Juniper's Weight Reset Programme may be just what you're after.

Designed by UK clinicians and dietitians, the programme uses groundbreaking medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro to help you end the cycle of yo-yo dieting once and for all.

These medications work to curb binge eating habits, reduce food cravings, and help you lose weight safely.

But it's not just about losing weight with medication — it's about setting you up for long-term success.

When you sign up for Juniper's Weight Reset Programme, your personalised treatment plan also includes one-on-one support from a health coach, who's there to offer you support and advice at every point of your weight loss journey, and to hold you accountable along the way.

If you're ready to lose weight and keep it off for good, check your eligibility today.

Image credit: Antoni Shkraba via Pexels