Kybella for Double chin
What is Kybella?
Kybella is an injectable treatment containing synthetic deoxycholic acid for permanent fat reduction. Kybella is FDA approved for the removal of fat under the chin also known as the submental area. Deoxycholic acid is naturally produced by our body to break down and absorb dietary fat. By the same principle, Kybella is designed to permanently reduce fat under the skin for desired aesthetic outcomes such as reducing the appearance of a “double chin”.
Who is a good candidate for Kybella?
Kybella is indicated for reduction of moderate to severe fat in the patients with double chin. However, for people with very large amounts of submental fat, liposuction might be more beneficial than Kybella. Alternatively, some people may mistaken loose skin tissue for fat. For those with loose skin rather than fat, skin tightening procedures would be more beneficial. Treatment options for skin tightening include Genius RF Microneedling or EXILIS (radiofrequency and ultrasound). Patients who are taking blood thinners or who are pregnant cannot be treated with Kybella.
What to expect after Kybella treatment?
After Kybella is injected under your chin, it starts breaking down fat cell membranes. This causes temporary swelling as the contents of the fat cells are being released into the tissues. Swelling peaks in the next 2-3 days, and then gradually improves over 2-3 weeks. Brusing can also occur. We re-evaluate the results in 5-6 weeks and will continue treating to achieve the desired outcome. Kybella usually requires several sessions, depending on the amount of fat in this area.
Patients may experience temporary numbness as the swelling can push against the nerves. Your body will mobilize macrophages (white cells) to clear out the dead fat cells which usually takes 4-6 weeks. Reassessment after 6 weeks is necessary to evaluate for the need for any additional treatments. The average number of treatment sessions varies between 2 and 4. The average number of vials of Kybella per session varies between 2 and 4 depending on the amount of fat we are targeting.
How is Kybella performed?
We assess the area of treatment for presence of fat tissue. We can determine the depth of the fat tissue using ultrasound. After prepping the area with a medical grade cleanser, the margins of the treatment field are marked with a brow pencil. Injections are spaced about 1 centimeter apart and cover the entire area targeted for treatment.
How do I prepare for Kybella treatment?
The most important thing to consider before treatment is to expect social downtime due to post procedural swelling. To minimize likelihood of bruising, we recommend avoiding consumption of alcohol, NSAIDs (ibuprofen type of products), Vitamin E, and flaxseeds. It would be helpful to take a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) 30 minutes prior to treatment unless you don’t have contraindications to this medication. Please, stay well hydrated. You will be able to drive yourself home.
What are alternative treatments to Kybella?
At Rejuve Medspa, Kybella has fallen out of favor due to it’s high cost, associated swelling causing prolonged downtime, and need for repeat treatments to produce noticeble results. In addition, Kybella does not help with skin laxity (loose skin) once volume has been reduced. On the other hand, Genius RF microneedling can both target fat and tighten skin. A newer technology called XERF, can also target fat while in addition to address structural skin tightness.
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