Daniel Navi, MD, FAADKybella is the first and only FDA-approved non-invasive, non-surgical injectable medication designed to treat submental fullness commonly referred to as the “double chin”. Kybella is a synthetic molecule that is identical to deoxcycholic acid, a salt found in human bile that aids in fat digestion by destroying the cell membrane of fat cells. When injected into subcutaneous fat under the chin, Kybella does essentially the same thing. The cellular debris, produced as a result of Kybella’s action on the fat cells, and the deoxychlic acid are further broken down and cleared by the lymphatic and circulatory systems over several weeks.
How well does Kybella work?
Kybella has been evaluated for submental fullness (“double chin”) in over 20 clinical studies involving over 1,600 patients worldwide. The vast majority of patients in these studies (79%) reported satisfaction with their appearance following treatment. The safety and effectiveness of Kybella led to its FDA approval for treatment of submental fullness in April 2015.
How many treatments of Kybella are needed to see results?
In the clinical studies, most patients experienced visible results in two to four treatment sessions spaced at least one month apart. However, every patient is unique. At SBC, we customize an appropriate treatment protocol based on a patient’s evaluation and their desired chin profile. Since Kybella works by effectively destroying the fat cells, the results are permanent and re-treatment is not needed once optimal outcome is achieved.
What should I expect during a Kybella treatment session?
A treatment session generally lasts 15 to 20 minutes. Patients are encouraged to take a pain-reliever immediately before the treatment to help relieve associated injection pain. Before the injections the area under the chin is cleaned and marked appropriately. A topical or injection type anesthetic may also be applied prior to the injections. Approximately 20 injections are then administered to the appropriately marked submental fat area. Ice packs are then applied immediately afterwards to help relieve pain and swelling.
What are the side effects of Kybella?
Most patients experience mild to moderate pain, swelling and bruising after the treatment. The swelling peaks about 24 hours after treatment but may take up to 3 weeks to fully resolve. Rarely patients experience numbness and firmness in the treated area. These side effects also resolve over several weeks. Icing the treated areas and use of over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medications are typically adequate in helping relieve the associated side effects.
Is Kybella right for me?
If you are looking for a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment to permanently reduce the size of your double chin Kybella may be the answer for you. To see if you are a good candidate for this novel treatment schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists!