A double chin is an unsightly layer of fat that forms beneath your chin, and Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment that can help to minimize this submental fat.
As a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment, Kybella aims to destroy this fat layer in a double chin. Once destroyed, the fat does not come back.
Licensed and trained professionals at Cosmetica in Boca Raton, Florida, can help to give you the slimmer facial profile you want without surgery. This can be done through a quick, effective, safe, and noninvasive procedure involving Kybella.
What Is Kybella?
Kybella is a prescription medicine that is injected as a cosmetic procedure to enhance the appearance of submental fat under the chin. It contains deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring salt found in human bile that aids in the digestion of fat in the body.
Kybella is approved by the FDA to be injected into the fat below the chin where it works to destroy the fat cells. It is less invasive than surgical procedures designed to enhance the look of the double chin and can be a safer alternative. Kybella can improve your profile by slimming down the appearance of fat under your chin.
Who Is a Candidate?
If you are over the age of 18 and want to improve the look of your double chin, Kybella can be a good nonsurgical option for you.
You should not get Kybella if you have an infection in the skin under your chin or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you have medical conditions in the neck area, have had prior cosmetic procedures there, have difficulties swallowing, or have bleeding issues.
How Does a Double Chin Form?
A double chin can form as the result of excess weight. If your face is already full, the fat often has nowhere else to go but under your chin.
This submental fullness is not always due to excess fat. A double chin can also form for other reasons, such as:
- Aging. As you age, your skin loses some of its natural elasticity, which can cause it to sag under your chin.
- Poor posture. If you do not use your neck and chin muscles enough, they can weaken with inactivity, which can increase the amount of sagging under your chin.
- Genetics. Where and how you store fat, and a predisposition for a double chin can potentially be hereditary. If direct family members have a double chin, you may be more likely to also have a double chin.
- Facial structure. Your bone structure and the shape of your face can make you more prone to having a double chin. For example, if you have a weak jawline or a recessive chin, you are more likely to develop a double chin.
How Kybella Works in the Body
Deoxycholic acid, the active ingredient in Kybella, works to destroy fat cells when it is injected into the subcutaneous fat. Kybella causes apolysis, which converts fat into fatty acids that are then cleared from the cell membranes. The adipocytes can then no longer accumulate or store fat once destroyed. Kybella also stimulates the body to make new collagen, which is the elastic tissue that firms up the skin. In this way, Kybella can reduce subcutaneous fat deposits and tighten tissue for an improvement in the appearance of the submental area of the chin.
The Procedure
Before receiving a Kybella treatment, you will need to talk to your medical provider to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Let them know about any previous procedures you have had, any potential medical concerns, and any and all medications you are taking. You will need to avoid alcohol and blood thinners, including ibuprofen or aspirin, up to 48 hours ahead of time. The procedure itself is quick, usually about 15 or 20 minutes in the office. The provider will mark the areas for the injections before beginning and may use a numbing cream if you prefer.
Kybella is injected straight into the subcutaneous fat under the chin. It often takes between 20 and 30, or even up to 50, injections. The exact number of injections will depend on the area and fat being treated.
Recovery & Timeline
You will likely experience some bruising and swelling after the procedure. This generally peaks around 24 hours after the treatment, and it can last anywhere from two days to three weeks.
You may also experience some numbness and redness as well as areas that feel “lumpy” or hard. However, this is temporary and will dissipate in a few days or weeks.
When Will I See Results?
It can take a few weeks to notice results, and typically, several treatments are needed for the results to really be noticeable. Most people see a more drastic improvement in the appearance of the double chin after the second or third treatment.
The good news is that once the fat cells have been destroyed, they will not come back. The effects of Kybella are long-lasting, with at least three-quarters of people still seeing results up to five years later.
Costs
On average, one Kybella treatment can cost between $1,200 and $1,800. This cost will depend on your provider, location, number of treatments you need, and how many injections you will need each time.
As a cosmetic procedure, the cost will be out of pocket and not covered through insurance.
Moving Forward
Kybella is a long-term and nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that can improve your appearance and self-confidence. For more information on improving your jawline in beautiful southern Florida, contact Cosmetica today. The licensed and experienced staff at the Cosmetica Med Spa can help to melt away the fat that is causing the unsightly double chin with Kybella.
Kybella FAQ
How many treatments will I need?
It can take at least two or three treatments to see results, and it can take up to six to see the results. The number of treatments needed depends on your body and the type of results you are looking for.
How long does Kybella last?
Kybella can last at least several years and potentially even longer. Once the fat cells under your chin are destroyed by the acid in Kybella, they will not come back. This can mean lasting results and an improvement in your facial profile that can potentially be permanent.
What are the risks of Kybella?
As with any procedure, there are some risks associated with Kybella injections. The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and pain. There is a potential for nerve injury to the jaw, trouble swallowing, or issues in the injection site after a Kybella treatment, though these issues are rare.
How often can I get Kybella treatments?
You need to wait at least one month between treatments of Kybella to allow the swelling to dissipate and to see how the treatment is working before getting another one.
Who is qualified to administer Kybella?
A licensed professional needs to give Kybella injections. Cosmetica in Boca Raton, Florida, employs trained and experienced professionals who can safely and effectively improve your appearance with cosmetic procedures like Kybella.
References
Kybella. (2021). AbbVie.
Drug Trials Snapshots: Kybella. (June 2015). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Noninvasive Submental Fat Compartment Treatment. (December 2016). Plastic Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) Global Open.
The Injection That Melts a Double Chin. (June 2017). The Atlantic.
