The dreaded double chin is something many people struggle with.
Kybella is a non-surgical solution specially designed to counter fat deposits under the chin and create a beautifully defined jawline and smooth, youthful neck.
Contents [HIDE]
1 What is Kybella?
2 How it Works
3 Lasers vs Kybella
4 Liposuction vs Kybella
5 Good Kybella Candidates
6 Treatment Process
7 Results
8 Complementing Procedures
9 Your Consultation
10 Pricing
WHAT IS KYBELLA?
Submental fullness, or more commonly known as a double chin, is not an easy part of the body to contour through one’s own efforts. Even the slightest bit of roundness under the chin can make a person look much heavier than they actually are. This happens to be a more common occurrence than you may think; the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery found that more than 65% of women and men in the United States are bothered by the look of their double chin.
Be bothered no more; cosmetic technology advancements have made it possible to simply “melt” neck fat away.
Kybella is the only injectable approved by the FDA for reduction of submental fat. Kybella is a cytolytic drug, which means that it actually destroys fat cell membranes when it’s injected into the submental fat. And once the fat cells are emulsified, the body gets rid of them through it’s natural processing system in just a few weeks. This one-of-a-kind injectable provides a safe, quick, and effective way to achieve a defined jawline and neck without needing to undergo a surgical procedure.
HOW IT WORKS
The efficacy of this drug on submental fat has been proven time and time again in clinical studies with over 2,500 candidates showing significantly improved results.
Kybella is the trade brand for a drug called ATX-101 which is comprised of deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is naturally found in the body; it acts as a metabolizing molecule, emulsifying and destroying fat cells. The FDA approved ATX-101 for use on submental fat in the neck, which when injected into fat cells, the deoxycholic acid disturbs the cell membranes and destroys targeted fat cells. The destroyed fat cells then get naturally processed through and out of the body over time. And since the cells are not diminished in size but actually destroyed, results are lasting.
LASERS VS KYBELLA
There are many laser treatments that are designed to enhance neck contour. While these lasers and Kybella target the same region of the body, their fundamental goals differ. Lasers such as SkinTyte tighten neck skin. Pulsating infrared light emitted from a Sciton BBL laser reaches deep enough where it causes soft tissue coagulation. This stimulation initiates a natural healing response and collagen production increase, creating a defined, smooth neck. Fat is not diminished with laser treatments such as SkinTyte.
Kybella on the other hand does not treat neck skin, but submental fat deposits below the skin. The reduction of these fat deposits overtime creates a more defined neck contour in individuals who only have a problem with submental fat, not loose neck skin. While submental fat is eliminated after Kybella injections, neck skin may not be taut if the patient does not have good skin elasticity, therefore not allowing for visible reduction of fullness. Kybella and SkinTyte are often paired for this reason.
LIPOSUCTION VS KYBELLA
Liposuction used to be the only way to remove neck fat deposits. Cosmetic advancements have now made it possible to eliminate fat from the neck with simple injections. Liposuction and Kybella both reduce submental fullness by eliminating fat, but with two completely different methods. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that gets rid of fat deposits with suction through a small tube. Such a procedure requires anesthesia, incisions, and a lengthy recovery.
Kybella is a non-surgical approach to fat reduction. The minimally invasive injections can reduce the appearance of a double chin, but visible results can take a few weeks. Neck liposuction can achieve desired results in a single session, but Kybella may be a better choice for those wishing to avoid the surgical intervention route.
GOOD KYBELLA CANDIDATES
Kybella injections can be performed on men and women over the age of 18 who are in good health and have sufficient skin elasticity. These potential candidates have a decent amount of pinchable skin/fat under their chin that is not solely caused by lax skin. Kybella is safe for injection on all skin types and complexions. This treatment works best for people who are not significantly overweight; individuals who are overweight will not see as dramatic of results and will require more sessions. Alternative procedures may be recommended once your condition is assessed at your consultation examination at one of Integrated Dermatology’s Massachusetts offices.
There is no standard amount of injections or sessions designated to create ideal results. Since every patient is different, the amount of injections and sessions necessary to reach desired results will differ based on the extent of the case and the individual’s desired outcome. The Quincy or Plymouth consultation examination will conclude how many injections and sessions will be needed to attain your specific desired results. One Kybella session can include up to 50 injections.
Understanding Kybella’s injection accomplishments is important before actually undergoing the injections. The deoxycholic acid targets submental fat cells; it does not have any effect on neck skin. Neck laxity may need to be addressed with another procedure such as a neck lift or SkinTyte laser treatments, which can be performed in conjunction with your injections.
If you believe you are a potential candidate for Kybella injections, feel free to contact your local Integrated Dermatology office and we will gladly get you on the road to a youthful, smooth neck. Please inform the staff if you are interested in receiving injections the day of your consultation.
TREATMENT PROCESS
The injection process takes around 20 to 30 minutes if not performed along with other procedures.
The neck will first be cleaned with an antibacterial solution, and then the injection specialist will mark an injection grid from the chin to the bottom of the neck since each injection needs to be meticulously and thoughtfully placed. A numbing agent is not necessary for the injection process but available if the patient desires; please notify us at your consultation if you are interested.
The predetermined doses are injected into the marked grid, up to 50 times; this number will have been established at your initial consultation. A tingling sensation may be felt as the solution is being injected; this is normal and ice can be provided to alleviate discomfort. Once all injections are completed, the grid will be wiped off and patients are able to return to their daily routine. Follow-up appointments can be scheduled to assess the results and apply more treatments if necessary. The majority of Kybella patients see good results after one to three sessions spread 8 weeks apart.
RESULTS
Slight redness and swelling are normal immediately following injections and can diminish quickly with ice applications. Pain medications such as ibuprofen can ease any discomfort experienced post-treatment. Kybella results are not seen right away since it works with the body’s metabolizing process; favorable contouring can be seen in about three to four weeks. For best results, patients should receive about two or three sessions spread 8 weeks apart. If patients practice a continued healthy lifestyle, results are long lasting. Weight gain may alter results if the surrounding areas are affected.
COMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES
Kybella is designed to solely target and eliminate submental fat; it does not address skin laxity. With this, there are different procedures that can be performed in addition to Kybella injections to tighten neck skin. Neck lift is the gold standard when it comes to neck skin tightening procedures. The procedure excises loose neck skin to create a tight, youthful neck contour. Neck lifts do not get rid of submental fat, so if fat deposits in the neck are also a concern, results can be greatly enhanced if the procedure is paired with Kybella injections. If you wish to continue the non-surgical route, Kybella injections can be paired with SkinTyte laser treatments to tighten lax neck skin.
YOUR CONSULTATION
At your initial consultation with one of our Kybella specialists you can share the cosmetic issues you have with the appearance of your neck and jawline. Please also mention routine medications, previous surgeries, and if you have any difficulty swallowing. An exam will then be performed on the area, taking into consideration the extent of your submental fullness, skin, age, and actual underlying cause of the double chin appearance (fat deposits vs. lax skin.) If it is found that submental fullness is actually caused by lax skin rather than fat deposits, alternative procedures will be recommended. If you are deemed a good candidate for Kybella treatments, your specialist will determine the amount of Kybella injections needed to achieve a defined, contoured jawline and neck.
Not just anyone can administer Kybella injections; it requires considerable training, and the Kybella specialists of Integrated Dermatology have undergone just that. Feel free to request a Kybella consultation at our Plymouth or Quincy office and begin the journey to a beautiful, youthful neck.
PRICING
Average cost: $700-$5,000
The cost of your Kybella treatment will depend on your specific case and if you opt to receive additional treatments or procedures. Please feel free to schedule a private consultation to receive a quote.
