Kybella®
What Is Kybella?
As the years continue to pass, some of us start noticing that some fat has decided to take up residence under our chin — the dreaded “double chin”. It’s an area that doesn’t respond to exercise or diet, and there has been little — short of a neck lift or lower facelift — that could be done about it. For several years, we have utilized CoolSculpting® to eliminate fat from this area, but for some patients, Kybella® is a better choice.
In April 2015, the FDA approved the use of a new prescription injection called Kybella®. When injected into moderate-to-severe double chins, Kybella® drastically tightens and improves the profile by attacking the targeted fat.
Dr. Steven E. Musick and the providers at Musick Dermatology & Advanced Clinical Spa offer Kybella® as a solution to this common side-effect of aging.
What Is a “Double Chin”?
The skin on the neck and under the chin is at the mercy of unrelenting gravity and slackening that is a part of normal aging. On top of this, there isn’t any bone to support these areas from sagging. Double chins — the downward sagging of the skin under the chin — develop due to a variety of factors:
- Gravity
- Weight Gain
- Decreased Collagen Production
- Genetics
The clinical term for a double chin is submental fullness. Surveys have shown that over two-thirds of respondents are bothered by their double chins just as much as they are by wrinkles and other signs of aging.
How Does Kybella Work?
Kybella® is actually more simple than it may sound! It is deoxycholic acid, which is something that occurs naturally in humans. Its job is to aid in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When Kybella® is injected into the fat beneath your chin, it breaks down the fat cells, just as it does with ingested fat. Once these fat cells are destroyed, not only does your profile return to a much slimmer, tighter appearance, but the ability to store future fat in the area is diminished due to the elimination of fat cells. This means that your double chin is gone for good, as long excessive weight isn’t attained after your treatment(s).
Advantages of Kybella
Double chins have always been a difficult area to target. Exercise doesn’t target unwanted fat. Dietary changes won’t have much of an effect, short of starvation. It’s been the job of plastic surgeons to provide a remedy via neck lifts, facelifts, and/or liposuction, all of which are invasive procedures.
Kybella® is a non-invasive procedure that only takes a few minutes per session and does not leave behind any scaring.
Would Kybella Work For Me?
Double chins can form due to fat deposits weighing down the skin, or they can form from excess, sagging skin. If fat deposits are the cause of your double chin, Kybella® is perfect for you.
However, if your double chin is more a factor of sagging, loose skin, you may be better to consider options like surgery to remove the excess skin and tighten the underlying support tissue. During a cosmetic consult, an assessment of your chin will be done and recommendations will be made to best suit your specific situation.
Before and After
Kybella Before & After
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How Many Kybella Treatments Will I Need?
Every patient is unique, so it’s hard to say you’ll need “x” number of Kybella® treatments. However, the maximum number of Kybella® treatments approved by the FDA is six. During each session, your provider administers numerous small injections under your chin. Many patients feel they achieve the results they seek in two to four Kybella® treatments. It is important to note that each treatment needs to be spaced at least four weeks apart.
What our patients have to say
Read what our patients are saying!
“Just an amazing down to earth practice. Dr. Musick is very caring and gentle. I’m so glad to have been referred to them!” – Debbie
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Kybella Side Effects
Unlike dermal fillers or Botox, a recovery period is present with Kybella®. There is some pain associated with the 15-20 tiny injections involved in a session. To reduce discomfort during the treatment, a Zimmer Chiller is used to chill the area reducing pain. Most patients will experience swelling. The amount of swelling is related to the amount of fat the patient had under their chin, as the swelling is due to the deoxycholic acid reacting with the fat cells. This swelling usually peaks after one day and goes away within 48 hours. But in some patients, the swelling can linger for up to three weeks. The first injection session usually involves the most swelling.
It should also be noted that the injected areas may develop some numbness that can last for up to two months. There can also be some tenderness to the touch in the treated area. The fat under your chin will go through a major change. First, it will become more like gel after three or four days. Then it hardens into little pea sized bumps. You can feel this, but don’t worry, it is not visible. The solidified fat then breaks into bits and the body’s immune system goes about disposing of it over the next couple of months.
When Will I See My Results With Kybella?
It takes some time for Kybella® to attack and get rid of the fat. Results are not immediate and most patients see their results at around four weeks. These results are permanent, as the fat is gone for good.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you ready to book your complimentary consultation with Musick Dermatology & Advanced Clinical Spa located in Swansea, IL? Contact our office today or schedule your appointment by phone at 618. 628.2588
