What is Kybella?

KYBELLA® is the first FDA-approved injectable treatment created to destroy fat cells under the chin area otherwise known as a “double-chin”. Containing deoxycholic acid, which occurs naturally in the body, KYBELLA® helps to breakdown hard to reach fat, which will reduce fullness under the chin. Since the fat cells will be destroyed, further treatment isn’t anticipated once you’ve reached your desired results.

What Are the Benefits of Kybella?

  • Defined jawline. As patients age and metabolisms change, fat can accumulate in less than desirable places, like the jawline and chin. However, Kybella offers patients an opportunity to remove stubborn fat deposits that are hard to treat through diet and exercise alone.
  • Youthful appearance. In addition to a more defined jawline, Kybella’s ability to contour the chin and jawline can shave years off a patient’s appearance.
  • Similar results as surgery without the expenses, pain and complications. It used to be that if a patient wanted to address excess fat or definition in the face, surgery was the go-to option. Kybella is not only a fraction of the cost compared to procedures like neck lift surgery, but it also provides less pain and fewer complications than traditional surgery.
  • No follow-up procedures after treatment is complete. One of the biggest advantages of Kybella is that once the fat is permanently removed, it won’t return. No need to follow up with your dermatologist every 6 months or even 2 years or to worry about troublesome chin fat anymore.

What Should You Expect During Treatment?

During a series of visits, your dermatologist will administer multiple injections to treat the chin area. Although not completely painless, recovery time is minimal and each procedure takes less than 30 minutes. The number of treatments needed will vary, but there should be no more than 6 procedures with at least a 1 month span between visits.

After each visit, you’ll likely experience some soreness or numbness in your chin. Any mild swelling should go down in just a few days. The larger the targeted area is, the more the body has to heal, which can increase the chances of side effects.

Kybella FAQ’s

How soon will I see results?

Kybella’s results are most often seen after at least 2 treatments.

How many treatments will I need?

Your treatment plan will be evaluated by your dermatologist depending on a number of factors including the the amount of fat in the chin area. However, the number of treatments will exceed no more than 6 total and will be spread out with at least 4 weeks in-between injections.

How long is the downtime?

In the first 24 hours, swelling after Kybella treatment is common, and patients are recommended to not use alcohol or pain medications up to 48 hours after the procedure. Kybella operates differently than other injectables in that there are multiple injections administered at once, and recovery can last up to 3 weeks after treatment.

What are the side effects of Kybella?

Kybella side effects can include swelling, pain, numbness, redness, and hardness in and around the treatment area. More serious side effects can include an uneven smile or weakness in the facial area and should be reported to your dermatologist immediately.

How is Kybella administered?

Only a Kybella-trained healthcare specialist can administer Kybella treatments.

Who is a good candidate for Kybella?

The best candidates for Kybella are ones whose submental fat is attributed to genetics as opposed to their weight.

Additional Resources:

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