Kybella

One of the biggest complaints both women and men have about their face is a double chin. Here’s what we often hear from our patients: It affects their self-esteem, has been a significant issue for them for most of their life, and is usually the number one thing they would change about their face if they could.

Often, double chins are genetic and not due to the patient’s weight. Previously, the only option for treatment was surgery. But with the FDA approval of Kybella, we can now offer a nonsurgical option.

Kybella is an injectable treatment used for treating excess fat under the chin. The active ingredient is synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.

When injected, Kybella destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin. Once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat, so most patients don’t typically require further treatment once you reach your desired aesthetic goal.

Yes! Your body naturally eliminates the fat cells that Kybella dissolves. However, some fat cells will remain, and any extreme weight gain could cause your double chin to return as those remaining cells expand. So we recommend having a plan for maintaining your weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Most patients need between 2 and 4 treatments to get the full benefits of Kybella. Some patients may require up to 6. During your consultation, your provider will talk through what you can expect based on your anatomy and goals.

We’ll go over specific aftercare instructions during your appointment, but these are some general guidelines to be aware of:

• Don’t touch or massage the treatment areas.
• Ice the treated areas for the first day (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
• Take (over the counter) acetaminophen and/or other pain relievers if needed.
• Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the next 3 to 5 days after treatment.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids after treatment.
• Avoid vigorous exercise and heat exposure (saunas and hot tubs) for 3 to 5 days after treatment.

If you have any questions during your recovery, our office is just a call away!

Yes! While double chins are not always caused by excess weight, they often are a side effect. We offer a full medically-supported weight loss program that can help you lose weight sustainably and safely.

If this is something you’re interested in, we can talk about it before beginning a Kybella treatment plan. Sometimes, losing weight can address your double chin. Of course, Kybella remains a great option because double chins are often one of the more stubborn areas of fat.

Kybella is currently only FDA-approved for treating the submental (under-chin) area. For other areas, we offer CoolSculpting as a body-contouring solution. Often patients come in toward the end of their weight loss journey to use Kybella and CoolSculpting to finish off the last stubborn pockets of fat.