Over 60% of people, in a 2014 Survey on Cosmetic Dermatologic Procedures, have said that they are bothered by their submental fullness (or fat). So what exactly is submental fat? Submental fat is most times referred to as a “double chin.” It is extremely common among both men and women, most times forming because of weight gain, age, and even genetics. Unfortunately exercise sometimes does nothing to solve this issue, and there hasn’t been another solution available, until now…
Recently approved by the FDA, Kybella is an exciting new treatment to reduce fat below the chin. It uses an injection that is almost identical to a chemical in the body that naturally helps absorb fat. By injecting this into the area below the chin, Kybella destroys the fat cells permanently.
Kybella reduces submental fat or what is often called a double chin. The drug destroys fat cells, which are then eliminated by the body naturally. Some patients may also notice a tightening effect after treatment.
The treatment is tailored to each patient differently as determined by the physician. In- office treatments of Kybella can take anywhere from 15-20 minutes.
In a single session of Kybella there are up to 50 injections administered. These injections are spaced using a grid that is marked on the skin prior to the procedure. A patient can have up to 6 treatments, spaced at least one month apart. Your physician will decide how many treatments are needed for you to get the best results.
Patients will begin to see results a few weeks after their initial treatment. Patients can expect to see some bruising, redness, and swelling for up to a week, as the fat cells begin melting away.
While Kybella has been proven to permanently reduce the fat cells in the chin area, proper weight management is necessary to maintain the results of the procedure. Excessive weight gain can make the treatment area appear to be fuller, while aging can make both the chin and neck area loose.
So far, our Kybella patients have been highly satisfied with the results. Kybella is the only procedure of its kind and is currently available at all of our locations in New York including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Briarcliff and in Ridgewood and Summit, New Jersey.
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) works by permanently reducing the fat cells in the treatment area. However, a large increase in weight can cause the area to appear fuller again. As the aging process continues, there may be looseness and sagging of the skin in the chin and neck areas and there are other procedures to address these issues.
Yes, extensive clinical trials have shown that Kybella successfully reduces excessive submental fat. In the trials, patients received up to 6 treatments but many saw improvements with fewer treatments. Kybella is most suitable for people with isolated fat pockets under the chin without excessive loose skin or sagging.
During your consultation, your physician will discuss your expectations and whether this is the ideal procedure for you. If you decide to proceed, the physician will first clean and mark out the treatment site then numb the area using lidocaine injections. The medication will then be injected in a grid pattern evenly over the chin. The entire procedure should take less than 30 minutes. Side effects including swelling, discomfort, numbness, redness and bruising should resolve within a week.
Swelling in the treated area can give a “bullfrog appearance” for up to a week and may vary from patient to patient. This does not limit any daily activities but some patients may not like the temporary fuller appearance of the chin. Side effects from subsequent treatments are usually milder. Other risks including bruising and redness are typically minimal.
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