Many people are bothered by the appearance of a double chin but don’t know what treatment options are available to them. Although anti-aging treatments for the face have been popular for some time, non-surgical treatment options were not available for the neck area until recently. But now, more and more people are turning to KYBELLA® contouring to get rid of the appearance of a double chin and to improve their chin profile, with stunning results. Although some people haven’t yet heard of KYBELLA®, they may have seen the subtle effects of this non-surgical procedure without realizing it and marveled at a friend’s improved appearance. Here are some common questions and answers about KYBELLA®, one of many anti-aging procedures available in Sterling Heights:
What is KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® is the only FDA-approved injectable dermatologic treatment used in adults to improve the appearance of moderate to severe convexity below the chin associated with submental fat. Submental fat can cause some people to feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance.
What is Submental Fat?
Submental fat is a gathering of excess fat beneath the chin, commonly known as “double chin.” Submental fat can be present as a result of genetics or can start to appear as a patient ages or gains weight. It creates a look of fullness under the chin.
Who is a good candidate for KYBELLA®?
For those bothered by submental fat, KYBELLA® can re-contour the area under the neck and smooth and improve the chin profile. KYBELLA® treatments can be effective for those who feel that a double chin makes them look older or heavier than they are, who do not want to have surgery, or who eat healthy diets and exercise but still experience the negative effects of submental fat.
KYBELLA® is not suitable for children under the age of 18, or for women who are pregnant or nursing. KYBELLA® should not be used for patients who have a current or prior history of dysphagia, or who have causes of submental fullness other than submental fat.
How Does it Work?
KYBELLA® is a prescription medication. The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When deoxycholic acid is injected into the fat beneath the chin, it destroys fat cells. Once fat cells are destroyed with KYBELLA®, they can no longer store or accumulate fat. This results in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin, revealing an improved chin profile.
KYBELLA® treatment can only be administered by a trained physician. Before starting treatment, the physician will examine the area under and around the patient’s chin to determine if KYBELLA® is indicated. Then, the physician will create a treatment plan based on the patient’s chin profile and will tailor the treatment to the amount of fat under the chin and to the patient’s desired aesthetic goals. The injection process takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and multiple injections are given under the chin during each treatment.
How Many Treatments are Necessary?
During each treatment, patients will receive multiple small injections under the chin. Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the number of treatments varies from patient to patient and will depend on the amount of submental fat under the patient’s chin and the patient’s desired profile. Each patient may receive up to six treatment sessions, spaced at least one month apart. Many patients experience visible results in two to four KYBELLA® treatments. In clinical studies, 59% of patients received six treatments to achieve their desired profile.
How Long Will Recovery Take?
After the initial KYBELLA® treatment, there may be a mild aching sensation under the chin for a short period of time, which is generally managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Swelling, bruising, or numbness under the chin is also possible. The recovery period for Kybella injections is generally just a few days, while the area gradually tightens over several weeks. Any swelling and bruising should not last long, but patients should inform their physician if these effects do not dissipate. Patients can go back to work after a treatment as desired, but some may choose to take the rest of the day to recover at home.
Do Clinical Studies Support KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® has been developed using a global clinical program involving over 20 clinical studies. More than 1600 people were treated with KYBELLA® in these studies.
Is KYBELLA® Safe?
The most common side effects of KYBELLA® are swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness around the treatment area. KYBELLA® can cause other side effects, including injection site problems such as bruising, hair loss, skin ulcers, and damage and tissue necrosis around the injection site. Other side effects include difficulty swallowing and nerve injury in the jaw that can temporarily cause facial muscle weakness. In clinical studies, nerve injury in the jaw resolved on its own in a median of 44 days, and trouble swallowing resolved on its own in a median of 3 days.
How Long Do KYBELLA® Results Last?
Unlike other anti-aging injectables, KYBELLA® treatment results do not wear off or diminish over time. When injected into the fat under the chin, KYBELLA® causes the destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat. After reaching their desired aesthetic, most people require no further KYBELLA® treatment.
Is KYBELLA® a Good Value?
The cost of KYBELLA® not only includes the price of the product but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the physician who is administering the treatment. It’s important to select a physician who is licensed and trained and has experience treating patients with KYBELLA®. An experienced physician will take the time to understand treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for each patient. When KYBELLA® treatment is administered by a trained physician, it is an excellent value with longstanding results. A Sterling Heights physician proficient in anti-aging procedures can determine if KYBELLA® treatment will help each patient achieve a beautiful chin profile and submental contouring.