Kybella is an injection that can help decrease fat under the chin and improve the appearance of a double chin.
First, you should know that Kybella is the brand name for an FDA-approved injectable medication called deoxycholic acid. You can think of it as a double chin reduction in a bottle! In fact, Kybella is the only approved injectable treatment for submental fullness.
Kybella works by destroying fat cells under your chin. Once those cells are destroyed, they’re gone for good and won’t accumulate new fat. This means you’ll notice results after two or three treatments with Kybella, which usually entails three to four 15-minute visits to your doctor’s office over the course of several weeks.
Kybella is used on people who have submental fullness—or “fat under the chin.” People who are overweight may also be candidates for Kybella if their excess weight has accumulated there (though diet and exercise may be the best way to treat this). Still not sure whether Kybella could help? Your doctor will give you a thorough consultation before recommending any treatment so she can determine if it’s right for you and evaluate your candidacy.
Kybella is Kythera, Inc.’s brand name for the injectable drug deoxycholic acid.
Kybella is Kythera, Inc.’s brand name for the injectable drug deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath your chin, it causes the destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat.
Kybella is a prescription medicine used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin.” It’s not known if Kybella is safe and effective for use outside of submental area or in children under 18 years of age.
While the FDA approved Kybella in 2015, doctors have been using deoxycholic acid to destroy targeted fat cells since 1996.
While the FDA approved Kybella in 2015, doctors have been using deoxycholic acid to destroy targeted fat cells since 1996. Deoxycholic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in your body to help break down dietary fat. It’s most commonly associated with CoolSculpting — which can be used for both arms and thighs — but Kybella uses the same technique for double chins.
Deoxycholic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in your body to help break down dietary fat.
Deoxycholic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in your body. It helps break down dietary fat.
When injected into the fat beneath your chin, Kybella destroys fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat.
After treatment with Kybella, you should begin to see results in two to four weeks.
Injections of deoxycholic acid permanently destroy fat cells in people with a double chin, after which your body metabolizes and eliminates them over time as though they’re dead cells.
Deoxycholic acid is a naturally-occurring molecule in the body that helps break down fat. By injecting deoxycholic acid into a patient’s submental fullness (the technical term for double chin fat), it destroys the fat cells, which are then metabolized and eliminated by the body over three to six weeks.
The first thing to know about this treatment is that it isn’t for everyone; it only works on people with submental fullness, or double chins. It won’t get rid of other types of facial fat or sagging skin. If you have submental fullness, though, it could be right for you—in addition to being FDA approved and clinically proven, Kybella is considered very safe and effective.
Your skin may be a bit sensitive to pressure for up to 12 weeks after injection because new collagen fibers form under the skin.
The number of treatments needed depends on the amount of fat under your chin and your desired profile. Most patients need 2-4 treatments spaced about 6 weeks apart. Results are permanent. However, please be aware that the Kybella treatment does not prevent you from gaining weight; if you put on a few pounds, it could still impact the appearance of your chin.
It’s normal to have some swelling and redness after treatment, but you can resume your normal activities right away — although you should avoid straining your jaw.
Although you can return to your normal activities right away (barring any strenuous exercise or straining of the jaw), there are certain things you should avoid in the first 48 hours after injection. These include:
- Chin strap: It’s best to avoid wearing a chin strap for the first 48 hours, since it may put pressure on your treatment area, which could lead to increased bruising and swelling.
- Sun exposure: You should also avoid sun exposure for at least 48 hours following treatment—and for longer if you see that your skin is still red or swollen.
- Touching or manipulating the treated area: For about two days after treatment, try not to massage, manipulate, or rub the treated area. Doing so may disperse Kybella beyond where it was intended to go, resulting in unwanted side effects like difficulty swallowing and nerve damage.
It’s also important not to rush through Kybella treatments if you want effective results without unnecessary side effects.
You’ll need two to four treatments four to six weeks apart, but results are permanent.
It will take several treatments, but the results are permanent. Most patients need two to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. The number of treatments you’ll need depends on how much fat is below your chin and your personal goals.
The amount of fat in the area will determine how many times a patient needs to return for another treatment. The average number of treatments is two to three, but it may vary from patient to patient.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes or less. Patients usually receive between 20 and 50 injections in one treatment session, with each injection spaced 1 centimeter apart.
If you’ve considered Kybella, you may be wondering what the procedure itself is like. While every patient’s experience will vary, here are the basics:
- The procedure takes about 15 minutes or less.
- Patients usually receive between 20 and 50 injections in one treatment session, with each injection spaced 1 centimeter apart.
- It’s normal for patients to experience redness and swelling at the injection site for a few days following treatment. This can be managed by icing the area and using an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.