Kybella
ICON Dermatology & Aesthetics offers Kybella for patients who are seeking a nonsurgical solution to eliminate excess fat under the chin. Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment that destroys fat cells in the treatment area under the chin to improve a patient’s profile.
If you are bothered by the area beneath your chin, you are certainly not alone. In research by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), over two-thirds of consumers surveyed were bother by submental fullness. While submental fullness is common, it is undertreated and often not decreased by diet and exercise alone. Kybella, or deoxycholic acid, injection is approved by the FDA for the treatment of submental fullness or “double chin.”
At ICON, we also achieve great results treating the jowls with the use of Kybella. It is important to note that treatment of this area, however, is considered “off label” and not everyone is a candidate.
What is Kybella?
Kybella or deoxycholic acid is the first and only injection treatment approved by the FDA to improve the appearance of submental fullness due to fat beneath the chin. Deoxycholic acid is a bile acid, naturally found in our body, which breaks down and absorbs fats in our diets.
What is submental fullness?
Submental fullness commonly referred to as “double chin,” is a common but undertreated cosmetic condition related to excess fat underneath the chin. Submental fullness can cause patients to look older and heavier than they are by disrupting normal facial balance and proportion.
How does Kybella work?
The active ingredient in Kybella is synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells. The result is a slimming effect at the treatment site. The fat cells are permanently destroyed which can result in lasting results. However, it is important to know that the remaining fat cells are capable of enlarging with weight gain so keeping a stable weight is helpful in maintaining your results.
Is Kybella right for me?
Kybella may be right for you if:
You are bothered by fat under the chin, also known as submental fullness
You feel the condition makes you look older or heavier than you are
You don’t want to have surgery
You eat well and exercise, but submental fullness does not go away
Kybella is not for everyone. Please let your dermatologist know if you:
Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin
Have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin
Have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area
Have had or have trouble swallowing
Have bleeding problems
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA® will harm your unborn baby)
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA® passes into your breast milk)
Are taking any medications, especially blood thinners
How should I prepare for Kybella treatment?
To reduce the risk of bruising and swelling, we recommend that you avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements for one week prior to treatment. Be sure to consult your primary physician before discontinuing any normally prescribed medications.
What is Kybella treatment like?
At the start of a treatment session, topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to make the treatment more comfortable. Your dermatologist will mark the area, and then multiple injections of the Kybella solution are deposited into the fat layer under the skin using a small needle. The entire treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Is Kybella safe?
Kybella is FDA- approved and generally considered to be safe. The procedure does carry a small risk of nerve damage that may result in a lopsided smile or difficulty swallowing. In most cases, this damage is temporary. Kybella has only been approved for use in the chin area. Our experienced dermatologists have also safely used Kybella to treat the jowl area in patients who are appropriate candidates.
What are the risks and potential side effects of Kybella?
The most common side effects of Kybella include: swelling, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area.
Kybella can cause serious side effects such as:
Nerve injury in the jaw (which can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness)
Trouble swallowing
Injection site reactions including: bruising, hair loss, open sores (ulcers), damage and tissue cell-death (necrosis) around the injection site.
What is Kybella recovery like?
After Kybella treatment, you will likely have some swelling, bruising, or numbness under your chin. The swelling can be significant in some patients and may last up to 2 weeks. It is important to schedule treatments accordingly. Be sure to inform us if you develop an uneven smile, facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing or injection site problems such as bruising, hair loss, or open sores around the injection site.
How soon will I see results from my Kybella treatment?
Patients receive a series of treatments over time, with each set of injections eliminating more and more of the fat cells that cause submental fullness. You can expect to see results from Kybella within 6-8 weeks of your first treatment with continued fat reduction after every appointment that follows.
How many Kybella treatments will I need?
Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the number of treatments varies from patient to patient. Your dermatologist will help determine how many treatment sessions you need based on the amount and distribution of your submental fat and your personal treatment goals. Each Kybella treatment session is given at least 1 month apart, and you should not receive more than 6 treatments. In clinical studies, 59% of patients received 6 treatments. When treating the jowl area, typically 2 treatments are required.
Why choose ICON for Kybella treatment?
Our board-certified dermatologists have extensive experience with Kybella, having worked with it since it came out in 2015. They have treated hundreds of patients and dedicated hundreds of hours to perfecting their technique to correct a number of facial issues and asymmetries.
Patient education is a cornerstone of our philosophy of care. Many patients visit ICON Dermatology seeking a specific treatment without realizing all their options and alternatives. Depending on your situation and goals, our physicians may recommend additional or alternative treatments to help you achieve the appearance you desire.
Whether our doctors recommend Kybella, Botox or skin tightening treatment to help address your aesthetic goals as they relate to your neck, you can rest assured that we always hold your best interests at heart and will never recommend a procedure that is not right for you. You will never feel rushed or pressured into deciding. The decisions are up to you. We are here to help.
Schedule your Kybella Consultation
Finding which cosmetic procedure is right for you is all about listening to you and your goals, answering your questions, and addressing your concerns. You can count on us to do all of this on your behalf.
If you think Kybella might be right for you, please call ICON Dermatology today at (301) 810-3600 to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists.
