Kybella

Kybella is an excellent treatment option for men and women who are unhappy with the appearance of submental fullness caused by excess fatty tissue beneath the chin. A thorough consultation and skin evaluation is performed to determine if the results of treatment align with the desired outcome for each patient. Patients who have realistic expectations of what Kybella can do are most likely to be satisfied with their overall treatment experience.

Men and women over the age of 18 who are in good general health and have no active infection such as acne are good candidates for Kybella. This treatment is suitable for all ethnicities and skin types. Women who are pregnant or nursing should postpone treatment for a later time.

We would be happy to speak with you about your cosmetic goals, and discuss how Kybella may be an integral part of your long-term beauty regimen. Contact Westerville Dermatology for more information.

Kybella is an injectable treatment developed solely for the correction of submental fullness. It works through the natural action of deoxycholic acid, which is the base ingredient of this prescription cosmetic solution. Deoxycholic acid is a natural product within the body that is involved in the breakdown of dietary fat. For cosmetic use, we inject the local area under the chin and at the uppermost part of the neck with this liquid, which allows it to work directly on unwanted fat. Fat cells interact with the acid, which blunts their ability to store fat. These cells, perceived as damaged, are metabolized by the body and eliminated.

Each treatment may be completed within about thirty minutes, depending on the number of injections needed to fully address the area of concern. A “map” is used to delineate the area of treatment, and the number of injections that will be made. Some patients need only about 20 minor injections to reach all unwanted fat, while others may need twice that.

Kybella works best when multiple treatment sessions are conducted. Appointments are scheduled approximately 4 weeks apart. The number of treatments needed may be adjusted based on the response to each session. At this time, it is recommended that no more than 6 sessions occur over a six-month period.

The most common side effects that occur as a result of Kybella treatment include:

These side effects are temporary and diminish over a few hours to a few days. Swelling may be one of the most noticeable side effects of Kybella treatment. This is because swelling is the result of the absorption of deoxycholic acid within local tissues. In most situations, swelling peaks about one day after treatment, and then gradually subsides over the course of another two days. Some patients do continue to notice swelling beyond this time frame. This does not indicate a problem from treatment, but may correlate to a larger number of injections or the natural response from your skin. Swelling may also seem more pronounced if the skin beneath the chin is somewhat lax and saggy.

Knowing that swelling may seem slightly dramatic for a few days, patients may prefer to schedule their treatment before the weekend.

One of the benefits of Kybella treatment is that this non-surgical treatment can accomplish permanent results, similar to liposuction. This is because fat cells are not downsized, they are metabolized. The body eliminates the treated fat for good. With healthy habits in the future, patients should expect to experience only the normal progression of age, such as changes in skin laxity along the jawline and on the neck.