Kybella®: Stubborn Double Chin Reduction Without Liposuction

If you’ve noticed you have more under-chin fat than you’d like or are annoyed that you don’t have quite the chin and jaw contour you want, you can benefit from a non-surgical approach to reducing this fat. Other solutions include liposuction and neck lift surgery, but you don’t necessarily need incisions to reduce a double chin. Let’s learn about the injectable option for fat reduction: Kybella®.
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What is Kybella®?

Kybella® is a non-surgical injectable procedure that involves an injectable to target excess fat under the chin. The injections are formulated with deoxycholic acid, a compound found in the body that is responsible for damaging fat cell walls and thereby removing them. Your immune system naturally clears the damaged cells from the area, in this case, under the chin, over the course of a few weeks to months.

The best candidates for Kybella® injections are individuals 18 or older who have moderate excess fat under their chins. If you’ve previously had facial surgery or plan on having it in the future, you might not be an ideal candidate for Kybella®. People who have difficulty swallowing, are pregnant or nursing, or have a medical condition or infection in or near the site to be treated are also not good candidates.

At this point, Kybella® is the only treatment for the look of double chins that is FDA-approved.

How Do You Prepare for Kybella® Treatment?

Before you schedule your Kybella® treatment, it’s essential to speak with our team of board-certified doctors to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Tell them about your medical history, including any cosmetic procedures you’ve previously had done on your face, chin, or neck. Let them know if you’ve had any difficulty swallowing or bleeding issues. If you’re pregnant or nursing or planning on becoming pregnant, these are also important details to share with your provider. Kybella®’s effects on pregnancy or infants are unknown as research is still being performed, so it’s important to discuss whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding with us.

How Does Kybella® Work?

Kybella® uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid to destroy fat cells. Deoxycholic acid is a type of acid found in bile that helps your body to break down dietary fat. Injections of Kybella® target and remove fat cells under the chin, resulting in a slimmer area and no more double chin. However, due to the high precision needed to administer the formula, only a trained healthcare professional should administer the injections.

Before your treatment, the provider will cleanse and mark the injection site. You can expect 10 to 30 injections under the chin for optimal results. In the next few weeks after your treatment, the acid will disrupt the fat cells and your body will metabolize and clear them.

The number of treatment sessions needed for the best results depends on the person. Some people may need several to get the best results. Up to six treatments can be administered with at least one month between sessions.

Side Effects of Kybella®

Even though it is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure, Kybella® still has some side effects. The most common are pain, bruising, redness, swelling, and numbness. Downtime varies per person as well, but minor side effects usually ease after one or two weeks.

If you have more serious side effects, including difficulty swallowing, facial muscle weakness, nerve injury in the jaw, or uneven smile, immediately contact us.

What Should You Expect After Kybella®?

At Dermatology + Plastic Surgery we create personalized treatment plans for all our Kybella® patients. Most people need more than one treatment to get their desired results. In most cases, two to four treatments are enough, but some people may need as many as six.

Because deoxycholic acid permanently destroys the fat cells under the chin, the results should be very long-lasting. You shouldn’t need additional treatments in the future to maintain your results.

Schedule a Consultation About Kybella®

To learn more about this convenient, painless, and affordable option for getting rid of a double chin, it’s best to hear it straight from the experts. To schedule your consultation, call our Melbourne, FL office location or fill out a contact form online today, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.