You work out, eat right, and avoid age-related weight gain, but it happens anyway – one day, you look in the mirror and notice a little mound of soft tissue below your chin. The good news? Having a double chin doesn’t necessarily mean you’re overweight. The bad news? Once you have a double chin, it probably won’t go away on its own, even if you shed a few pounds. Most people with a double chin need a cosmetic procedure, like Kybella, to restore the sharpness of their jawline.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is an injectable compound that dissolves unwanted submental fat without surgery or incisions. Many of our patients prefer Kybella to liposuction because this procedure doesn’t require downtime or sedation, but it’s highly effective for reducing (or eliminating) their double chin.
Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, a natural substance that’s produced in the intestines to aid in fat digestion. When placed through skillful, precise injections under the chin, Kybella painlessly breaks down fat cells without harming surrounding skin or muscle tissue. The damaged fat cells will release their fat, which will then be excreted from your body via the lymphatic system.
How do I know if Kybella is for me?
After a series of two to four treatments (spaced one month apart), most people who have Kybella injections experience a marked reduction in the size of their double chin. Though the results of Kybella are not evident right away, you will notice a gradual decrease in the submental fat over the next several weeks. According to clinical trials, Kybella is extremely effective for most patients, though some need up to six treatments to achieve optimal results. Kybella is ideally suited to patients with moderate submental fat accumulation and good skin elasticity. If you have excess or loose skin, your results may not be as significant as you’d like.
Kybella is similar to liposuction in that it creates permanent fat loss, though significant weight gain may interfere with the results of both procedures. To maintain the results of your procedure, our doctors recommend that you keep your weight relatively stable and protect your neck from excessive sun exposure.
What Should I Know Before Trying Kybella?
Kybella has few risks; most people who try Kybella don’t experience any side-effects or complications. Deoxycholic acid injections don’t mix well with other procedures, though, so you should plan your treatment carefully. If you’re considering Kybella, tell your care provider if you have had any facial procedures (including other injectables, like Botox or dermal fillers) in the last six months. You may need to wait until your previous treatments have dissipated before having Kybella.
Some of our patients benefit from having laser skin tightening after fully recovering from Kybella. Removing submental fat can create or accentuate loose skin below the jawline, especially in older patients, but our advanced Aerolase Laser System can firm your neck without the need for invasive surgery.
Have Questions About Kybella? Our Doctors Can Help
At M Spa Face and Body, we’re committed to providing gentle alternatives to surgery, no matter what cosmetic concerns our patients are facing. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of Kybella, don’t hesitate to contact our team with your questions.