Submental fat, also known as a “double chin,” can be one of the hardest types of fat to lose. Whether it’s the result of weight gain, aging, or simply from unlucky genetics, excess fat under the chin can be extremely challenging to decrease with diet or exercise. But, luckily, there’s an incredible new, non-surgical treatment that can permanently eliminate this stubborn submental fat: Kybella.
Kybella is a quick, non-surgical treatment that destroys submental fat cells. If you’re among the many who have considered trying this procedure for reducing or eliminating a double chin, you may be wondering what getting it is like. In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this treatment, including what Kybella is, how Kybella works, what a Kybella treatment is like, the answers to frequently asked questions about Kybella, and the results of Kybella.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is an injectable treatment that destroys targeted fat cells below the chin. It’s FDA-approved for use on the “double chin” area and it is currently the only FDA-approved injection that can treat this submental fat.
How Does it Work?
The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in the body. Deoxycholic acid is what allows the body to break down and absorb dietary fat. When deoxycholic acid is injected into the double chin area during a Kybella treatment, it works to destroy fat cells permanently, drastically reducing the appearance of a double chin and ensuring fat cells cannot store fat in the future.
What is Getting Kybella Like?
When you get Kybella, you’ll first have a consultation appointment with Dr. Zadeh, during which he will learn your aesthetic goals and create a treatment plan to reach them. Kybella is done over a series of sessions (usually between 2 and 6) and the number you may need will depend on your unique body and your goals for treatment.
Kybella treatments are quick, taking only 15 to 20 minutes, and are administered 4-6 weeks apart. During a treatment, your doctor will strategically inject Kybella below your chin. Kybella is not painful but some patients do experience some discomfort. After Kybella, no downtime is needed but you may experience some redness, swelling, numbness, or bruising after treatment, which will usually start to fade within three days of treatment.
What are the Results?
After finishing your treatments and reaching your desired aesthetic goals, no further treatments are needed. You’ll begin to see the results of treatment 4 to 6 weeks after your first treatment and will see the full results of your treatment 12 weeks after your final session.
FAQ About Kybella
What is Submental Fullness?
Submental fullness is a medical term for the gathering of excess fat beneath the chin. By those who are not in the medical field, submental fullness is better known as a “double chin.” Submental fullness can be the result of weight gain, aging, or genetics. Kybella is the only injectable treatment that is FDA-approved to treat submental fullness.
Is Kybella a Filler?
While Kybella and fillers are both injectable treatments, Kybella is not a filler. In fact, it has the opposite goal of fillers. Fillers are designed to increase volume, while Kybella is used to reduce the volume of submental fat.
Who Makes Kybella?
Kybella is a brand name for a proprietary form of synthetic deoxycholic acid made by Allergan. Allergan also makes a number of other popular cosmetic treatments, including Botox and Juvederm.
How Many Kybella Sessions Do I Need?
Kybella injections are generally administered through a series of treatment sessions. Commonly, people receive between 2 and 6 treatments. How many treatments you may need will depend on your level of submental fullness and your desired aesthetic goals. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Zadeh (an award-winning board certified plastic surgeon) will examine your body and create a treatment plan that will work best for your goals.
What are the Common Side Effects?
Common side effects of Kybella include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area.
How Well Does it Work?
It’s hard to put a number amount on the amount of fat Kybella will reduce. Generally, the more treatments a patient receives, the more fat they will lose in their treatment area. The number of treatments each patient gets, even in clinical trials, is always tailored to how much fat the patient has and their desired aesthetic goals, so fat reduction percentages vary. However, we can say that in clinical studies, 79% of Kybella patients have reported improved satisfaction of the appearance of the area beneath their chin.
How Long Does it Last?
The active ingredient in Kybella, deoxycholic acid, destroys fat cells permanently. Once you reach your desired aesthetic result, maintenance is not needed. Because your unwanted fat cells have been destroyed, they can simply no longer store or accumulate fat.
Is Kybella for Men or Women?
It is used by both men and women. While people often assume that it is a treatment used only by women, many men use Kybella to get a more chiseled, powerful jawline. Additionally, many men with submental fat get Kybella to improve how clothing fits them (in particular, we see men who want to be more comfortable when wearing a suit and tie).
Why Do People Get Kybella?
People use it to reduce submental fat for a wide range of reasons. As we mentioned in the answer to our last FAQ, many men use Kybella to get a more chiseled jawline or feel more comfortable in their clothing. Then, additionally, many patients who are interested in this treatment are simply unhappy with the area beneath their chin. According to a 2016 survey conducted by Allergan, 1 in 4 people in the general population is bothered by submental fullness (aka a double chin). Many people feel that submental fullness makes them look older, overweight, or simply less attractive.
Kybella can be a particularly popular treatment among patients who have genetic submental fullness. Meaning, they cannot lose the excess fat under their chin even when they are at a healthy weight— their bodies just happen to store fat in the submental area. For these patients, Kybella can be a way to finally get rid of something that bothers them deeply, something that they’ve tried and failed to get rid of with diet and exercise.
Who Shouldn’t Use Kybella?
This treatment should not be used if you have an active infection on the injection site (the submental area). Additionally, those with a high amount of lax skin may not be an optimal candidate for Kybella. During your consultation appointment with Dr. Zadeh, he can examine the area beneath your chin and help you decide if Kybella would be a good fit for you or if there’s another treatment that may work better for you.
Am I a Good Candidate?
It can be a great option for anyone who is interested in reducing their unwanted double chin fat. If you’re curious about whether or not you’re a good candidate for Kybella, make a consultation appointment with Dr. Zadeh.
Do You Want to Try Kybella?
If you’re considering this treatment for treating a double chin, contact our office today to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Zadeh. During your appointment, Dr. Zadeh, who is an award-winning board certified plastic surgeon, will examine the area below your chin, learn your goals for treatment, and help you decide if this treatment may be right for you.