KYBELLA™ injection is the first and only FDA-approved nonsurgical treatment that improves the appearance of submental fullness, also referred to as 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.
Kybella is a brand name for deoxycholic acid, a molecule already produced by your body. Deoxycholic acid helps your body break down and absorb dietary fat, which is the fat you get from the food you eat.
When administered into the fat beneath your chin, the deoxycholic acid in Kybella injections destroys the fat cells to create a flatter, smoother appearance.
As with any treatment, Kybella may cause side effects. These effects usually involve reactions at the injection site and may include:
No downtime is associated with Kybella treatment, so you can go about your day as usual. After Kybella injections, it is normal to have some swelling and bruising under your chin; you may even experience some pinpoint bleeding at the injection sites. Kybella aftercare focuses on minimizing swelling and bleeding and can include:
Because it is a non-surgical option, Kybella recovery is very short – any Kybella swelling and tenderness typically goes away in a week or two.
Many patients experience visible contouring of their chin profile in 2-4 treatment sessions spaced at least one month apart. Up to 6 treatments may be administered in total.
Kybella injections are a permanent solution to the submental fat that causes a double chin. The deoxycholic acid in Kybella kills the fat cells, which means the treated cells can never again store fat. Gaining a significant amount of weight after Kybella treatment can trigger the growth of new fat cells under your chin, however, but the reappearance of a double chin will likely be minimal.
For more information about Kybella recovery and Kybella treatment aftercare, consult with one of our top dermatologists in Portland and Hillsboro today.