Key Takeaways
- Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable that eliminates submental fat (double chin) without surgery, anesthesia, or significant time away from normal activities.
- Before treatment, a consultation is required to examine the area, review medical history, and determine whether Kybella is the right option.
- Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that breaks down and absorbs fat, injected in a precise grid pattern under the chin.
- Most patients require two to four Kybella sessions spaced at least one month apart, with some needing up to six sessions for optimal results.
- Once fat cells are destroyed by Kybella they cannot store fat again, making results permanent as long as weight remains stable.
Age, weight gain, weight loss, and natural skin changes—including decreased collagen production—can lead to loose skin and lost definition under the chin. Although these changes are common and no cause for alarm, many people feel self-conscious about their double chin and look for safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment options. Kybella is a revolutionary injectable proven to restore definition under the chin with no time away from work or your regular activity.
How is Kybella administered?
Before treatment is administered, a consultation appointment is required. This gives the practitioner an opportunity to examine the problem area, discuss your concerns and treatment goals, and review your medical history. Because Kybella isn’t for everybody, the consultation appointment is a very important step in the process. The information your provider gathers during this appointment will be integral in determining whether Kybella can help you achieve the look you want. When time allows, you might receive your first treatment on the same day as your consultation. Kybella is injected into the fatty tissue underneath your chin. Your provider will determine how many injections you need based on the unique circumstances of your case, but it’s common to receive up to fifty injections during an appointment. Patients with a larger volume of fatty tissue or a larger treatment area will naturally require more injections than patients with smaller volumes. During your appointment, you’ll experience some discomfort or pain. Most patients describe each injection as a small pinch, similar to other injections they’ve received, and most describe the discomfort as tolerable. Kybella is less invasive and less painful than surgical solutions for your double chin.How many appointments are needed?
On average, patients are satisfied with the results they achieve in 2-4 treatments. However, some patients require as little as one treatment, and others might need six or more treatments. Once the desired result is achieved, fat isn’t expected to return to that area, which means you won’t need ongoing maintenance treatment sessions. Your appointments will be brief and easy to fit into your schedule, lasting just 45 minutes on average. Most people schedule their appointments before a couple of days off of work and then get right back to their busy lives. When you can expect to first notice a difference is hard to predict; some patients see a notable difference after their first treatment, and others can’t tell a difference until they’ve received up to six Kybella treatments. Your doctor will share all of this information with you during your initial consultation to ensure your expectations are realistic and Kybella is able to provide the results you’re hoping to achieve.What kind of recovery can I expect?
Although some patients opt for or require surgical correction of their double chin and other age-related facial changes, surgical treatment is followed by soreness, time away from work, and restrictions that impact your daily routines. The recovery from Kybella is much easier, which is why so many patients are eager to explore it as a treatment option. Kybella is accompanied by a normal recovery process that varies from patient to patient but generally follows this course:- Hoarseness or a sore throat that lasts 12 hours on average but generally not more than 24 hours.
- Mild to moderate swelling, redness, and/or bruising that lasts up to 48 hours.
- Some numbness in the treatment area lasting up to two months.
- Tenderness to the touch for 1-2 months.
- Hardness in the treatment area 3-4 days after treatment, followed by the development of nodules that can be felt through touch but not seen; these nodules disappear as the body flushes out the deadened fat in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kybella and how does it reduce a double chin?
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable that uses deoxycholic acid, a molecule the body naturally produces to break down dietary fat, to destroy submental fat cells under the chin. Once the fat cells are eliminated, they cannot regenerate, providing permanent reduction in double chin appearance without surgery.
How many Kybella sessions will I need?
Most patients require two to four sessions spaced at least one month apart to achieve their desired result. Some patients with more significant submental fat may need up to six sessions. The exact number is determined during your consultation based on the amount of fat present and your aesthetic goals.
Is there any downtime after Kybella injections?
Kybella involves minimal downtime. Most patients experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness under the chin in the days following each session, which typically resolves within one to two weeks. These are normal reactions to the treatment and most patients return to regular activities shortly after each appointment.
Are Kybella results permanent?
Yes. Once Kybella destroys the fat cells under the chin, those cells cannot regenerate or store fat again. The results are permanent as long as you maintain a stable weight. Significant weight gain after treatment can cause remaining fat cells elsewhere in the body to expand.
Who is a good candidate for Kybella?
Good candidates are adults bothered by moderate to significant submental fat that does not respond adequately to diet and exercise alone. The treatment is not appropriate for everyone, which is why a consultation is required. Patients with loose neck skin or significant neck bands may be better served by a surgical neck lift.