Submental fullness, the medical term for a double chin, is a concern that we have heard voiced by many of our patients. For many years, the leading procedure to correct a double chin was liposuction. Due to the invasive nature of liposuction and the inherent risks the procedure carries, many people decided forgo treatment for submental fullness.
At the Dermatology Institute of Southern California, our goal is to help all of our patients look and feel their best. This is why Dr. Daniel Behroozan so excited to hear about the FDA’s approval of Kybella, the first treatment approved to reduce submental fullness by destroying fat cells.
How Does Kybella Work?
The appearance of a double chin is caused by excess fat under the chin, a problem that tends to get worse with age as skin becomes more lax and the effects of gravity take their toll. Kybella is an injectable solution that is molecularly identical to deoxycholic acid, a substance created by the human body to help absorb fats. During a Kybella treatment, deoxycholic acid is injected into the skin under a patient’s chin. After it is injected, the substance destroys fat cell membranes, which releases the fat into the body, allowing the body’s natural metabolic and waste processes to dispose of it.
What to Expect During & After Your Kybella Treatment
One of the reasons that we are so excited about this remarkable product is because treatment with Kybella is very straightforward. Before the procedure begins, we’ll apply a numbing cream to minimize any discomfort. Then Dr. Behroozan will inject micro-doses of Kybella into carefully selected locations below the chin. The entire treatment session lasts about 20 minutes.
After the treatment, you will be free to resume normal activities, but should expect to see a small amount of redness in the injection area. Other side effects include pain, swelling and bruising in and around the treatment area. If you experience any of these side effects, you can expect them to fully resolve within a week of treatment.
Most patients will require more than one treatment session to completely eliminate troublesome under-chin fat. On average, you can expect to receive between two and four treatments, spaced one month apart, to receive optimal results. If needed, up to six treatments session can be performed. Unlike other popular cosmetic procedures, such as Botox, the effects of Kybella are permanent. Studies performed by Kythera, the manufacturers of Kybella, indicate that once submental fat has been eliminated, it will not return.
Kybella Results
Kybella was recently approved for use in treating submental fullness by the FDA in April 2015. During FDA trials, roughly 80% of patients reported a reduction in submental fullness after they completed their Kybella treatments. These are excellent results and ones we expect to see duplicated in our practice.
The Difference Between Kybella and Morpheus8
Morpheus8 and Kybella are both popular skin treatments, but they differ significantly in their approach and intended outcomes. Morpheus8 is a minimally invasive treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to remodel and contour the face and body. This technology penetrates deep into the skin and fat, stimulating collagen production to tighten and rejuvenate the skin, improve its texture, and contour the underlying fat. It’s particularly effective for reducing wrinkles, acne scars, and sagging skin, offering a more youthful appearance. The treatment can be customized to target specific depths and concerns, making it versatile for various skin issues.
On the other hand, Kybella is an injectable treatment specifically designed to reduce fat under the chin, known as submental fullness or a “double chin.” The active ingredient in Kybella is 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, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness. Unlike Morpheus8, Kybella is solely focused on fat reduction in a targeted area and does not directly address skin tightening, texture, or collagen production. The choice between Morpheus8 and Kybella depends on the individual’s specific concerns, whether they are more focused on skin rejuvenation and tightening with Morpheus8 or fat reduction with Kybella.
The Difference Between Kybella and CoolSculpting
Kybella and CoolSculpting are both non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to reduce fat, but they employ different mechanisms to achieve their results. Kybella involves the injection of deoxycholic acid into the treatment area, which specifically targets and destroys fat cells under the chin, leading to a reduction in double chin appearance. The body then naturally eliminates these cells over time. In contrast, CoolSculpting uses a process called cryolipolysis, where controlled cooling is applied to the treatment area to freeze and kill fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissue. This method is applicable to various parts of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, and arms. While Kybella is more focused and chemical in its approach, CoolSculpting offers a broader application through physical cooling techniques.
Dr. Behroozan prides himself in offering the safest and most effective fat removal procedures, so adding Kybella to our list of services only seems natural. Kybella is a unique treatment because it specifically targets and permanently destroys under-chin fat. In some ways, it is similar to another fat reduction treatment we offer, CoolSculpting, which uses very cold temperatures to destroy fat cells in the targeted area. Currently, the only other treatments that can be used to eliminate a double chin are liposuction or a neck and chin lift. Both of these are invasive surgical which we do not offer in our practice.
Kybella Consultation at Beverly Hills
While Kybella is a new treatment, Dr. Behroozan is highly experienced in performing injectable and non-invasive fat reduction procedures. His expertise in these areas helps ensure a safe and natural result to those wishing to try Kybella.
If you are bothered by a double chin, we encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Kybella. Perhaps you considered liposuction in the past, but were put off by the recovery period and side effects associated with it. Finally, you have an alternative with Kybella! Please contact us to set up an initial consultation with Dr. Behroozan so we can help you decide if Kybella can provide the results you desire.