A LOOK AT KYBELLA AS THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE CHIN REMOVAL TREATMENT

A double chin is a layer of fat (called submental fat) that accumulates under the chin, giving the appearance of a bulge between the chin and the neck. While this often occurs with weight gain, it can also occur due to genetics or just as part of the aging process. Many people are troubled by this extra layer of fat and want to have it removed.

While there are exercises that you can try to remove a double chin, they are not extremely effective. Losing weight can help, but it does not always remedy the problem, as you would need to lose weight in that specific area of the body in order to see a big difference. Kybella is the first and only injectable treatment for double chin removal. Read on to learn more about it.

WHAT IS KYBELLA?

Kybella is an injectable form of synthetic deoxycholic acid. This acid is naturally produced by your body and it helps to dissolve fat. When injected, Kybella will destroy the fat cells under your chin, dissolving the fat itself and also making it so that fat cannot accumulate there in the future.

It is administered as an injection, so there are no cuts or sutures needed. It’s important to go to someone trained in its technique because if it is injected improperly, it could damage cells that shouldn’t have been targeted or other structures in the area.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE?

When you show up for your appointment, your provider will make marks under your chin to indicate where the injections will go. You will normally have between 20 and 30 injections, but some people will have up to 50. Your provider will numb the area with a topical anesthetic or ice packs. You can talk to them ahead of time about how they will minimize your pain and discomfort.

The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes. Once the injections are over, you will be free to go home. It’s best to schedule your Kybella treatment when you don’t have something major going on in the next few days because bruising can occur. Avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen before your procedure can help keep bruising down to a minimum. Talk to your provider about whether and when to apply ice to prevent further bruising.

You might also experience some swelling or numbness. This should go away within a week or two. More serious side effects include an uneven smile, damage to the jaw, and facial weakness. If you experience these, contact your provider right away.

WHAT KIND OF EFFECTS SHOULD I SEE FROM KYBELLA?

Kybella works gradually, and you’ll be able to see the effects within a few weeks. You will notice that your double chin is receding and eventually it will be gone or nearly gone. Some people require only one treatment, but others require up to six treatments. They must be spaced at least a month apart.

Once your fat cells have been destroyed, they will not be able to store fat anymore, so when your treatment is over, you won’t have to have it repeated. Note that fat can still accumulate in other areas of the neck and face, but it will not accumulate in the area that was treated.

WHO SHOULD NOT GET KYBELLA?

Kybella treatment is meant for adults who are 21 years of age or older. It works best on people who have moderate to severe submental fat stores; it won’t make as big of a difference for someone with a slight double chin. With that being said, if you are unhappy with your double chin, then talk to your doctor about whether Kybella is right for you.

People who are pregnant or nursing should discuss this with their doctors, as there haven’t been a lot of studies done regarding the safety of the procedure in pregnant or lactating people. Also, if you are having or recently had cosmetic surgery on your face, then you might need to wait a period of time or you might not be a good candidate for Kybella.

IS KYBELLA COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?

Because Kybella is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is generally not covered by health insurance. Each treatment will cost an average of $1,500, but this will vary depending on where you live, what your provider charges for office fees, and so on. If you have more than one treatment, be aware that you will pay the charge for each one.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR DOUBLE CHIN REMOVAL TREATMENT

If Kybella is not for you or you want to try other treatments first, here are a few more to consider:

CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting works similarly to Kybella in that it destroys fat cells under the skin, but it does so by freezing them. A cold patch is applied to the skin with the help of a suction, and the fat cells are frozen. This procedure takes about 45 minutes in the office and it doesn’t involve any needles or scalpels. Side effects include numbness and redness; a few patients experience bruising, but that’s not as common as it is with Kybella. You might need more than one treatment, but it is usually done within three months and your results will be permanent.
Liposuction. Another permanent way to remove fat under the chin is liposuction. This is a more invasive procedure than the others mentioned and works by physically suctioning out the fat cells. Because the cells are removed, they cannot store fat anymore. Liposuction can cause swelling, bruising, scarring, and more pain than the less invasive treatments.
Exercise. As stated, exercises for toning under the chin are not terribly effective. Still, they come with no side effects other than the potential for temporary soreness if you overwork the muscles. If you’d like to give this method a go, here are some exercises to try.