Kybella^®

Located on the Main Line, Cirillo Cosmetic is conveniently accessible to patients driving from Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties.

While diet and exercise can reduce the size of fat cells, these strategies cannot make those fat cells “disappear.” Even the most disciplined and dedicated individuals can struggle to reduce localized fat deposits. The double chin is one of the most commonly complained about diet- and exercise-resistant fat areas.

Kybella^® is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive, non-surgical prescription injectable from Allergan (manufacturer of other popular products such as BOTOX^® Cosmetic and Juvederm^®) that treats moderate to severe submental fullness. The active ingredient in Kybella^® is a synthesized version of deoxycholic acid, one that is nearly identical to the chemical naturally found in the body.

Deoxycholic acid helps break down fat as part of our body’s daily dietary processes. When it is carefully injected, as Kybella^®, into the area between the chin and neck, it triggers a process known as cytolysis, where the membranes of fat cells are broken down while the surrounding skin and other tissues will remain unharmed.

Over time, the remnants of these cells are naturally processed from the body, leaving the chin looking slimmer and overall facial appearance more youthful and refreshed.

Kybella^® is approved to reduce submental fullness in patients over the age of 18. It is not approved for use outside the submental area. Patients who choose to receive Kybella^® should ideally be at a healthy weight and committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is especially important in maintaining long-term results, as the remaining fat cells in the body are still capable of increasing in size with weight gain.

Ideal Kybella^® candidates are those who are unhappy with their double chin and are ready to seek help to make a change. Oftentimes, women and men who opt for Kybella^® have become frustrated over the fact that their lifestyle changes to lose weight have made a definite impact on other areas of the body, leaving the submental area untouched. There are several possible reasons for this problem, including genetics, which play a significant role in determining where a person’s fat is distributed and how well it may respond to exercise and diet.

Fat cells that appear unchanged despite a person’s best efforts to shrink them make up what is known as “stubborn” or “diet/exercise-resistant” fat. These cells can be found anywhere from the flanks to the abdomen to the submental area, which explains why calorie counting may trim inches from a waistline, but not do anything for a double chin.

Note that exercise and careful meal planning are important elements of a healthy lifestyle, and they carry more benefits than aesthetic fat reduction. Kybella^® and other similar cosmetic treatments are not substitutes for making healthy choices. Instead, they represent carefully studied techniques for helping people to achieve their desired body contours.

A typical treatment session lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and involves Kybella^® injections to carefully mapped out areas on the neck where submental fat is concentrated. A topical numbing agent and ice may first be applied to minimize discomfort. The specific number of Kybella^® injections and amount of product used per session will vary from patient to patient, as each person’s chin profile is unique.

Injection-related side effects are usually temporary, and may include bruising, swelling, tingling, or numbness in the area. The swelling may last for seven to 10 days after a Kybella^® treatment session, while numbness may last for several weeks.

Since the cytolysis process is a gradual one, the fat-reducing results from a Kybella^® session will not be apparent right away, but will begin to be visible in the following weeks. Patients will typically see the most dramatic results from a treatment four to six weeks after their injections. While many patients see improvements in their chin profile within weeks of their first Kybella^® treatment, some patients may require additional treatments to achieve their desired results.

Remember: Since Kybella^® is so effective, it is important to ensure that only a medically certified, experienced injector administers it. This not only maximizes patient safety, but also maximizes natural-looking results. All of our Kybella^® providers are medically licensed and trained to ensure that every patient receives a safe, comfortable, and effective treatment.

In many cases, the appearance of a double chin may be due to lax, sagging skin, or a combination of lax skin and excess fat. Since Kybella^® addresses fat cells and not skin laxity, a different strategy is needed to address lax skin. Loose neck skin that contributes to submental fullness, often referred to as a “turkey wattle,” can be addressed by radiofrequency therapy. This skin tightening treatment can be an effective solution, as it focuses on remodeling existing collagen for a smoother, slimmer look and stimulating new collagen production to further improve the results.

Another skin-tightening treatment, ZWavePRO, uses energy from shockwaves to improve skin firmness and elasticity. Microneedling with radiofrequency (Genius^™™) and ultrasound (vShape Ultra) therapy may be also be recommended, with the treatment depending on the patient’s unique needs. People who have lost a significant amount of weight may find themselves with less fat on the chin, but no way to show it due to the loose skin left behind.

Patients considering other body sculpting options can choose from nonsurgical CoolSculpting^®, which chills fat cells to destroy them, and surgical liposuction, which involves removing fat cells via suction through a small incision in the skin. Either of these strategies can be used virtually anywhere on the body in addition to the submental area.

Given the range of choices available, as well as the many reasons contributing to submental fullness, a consultation is an important start to any treatment plan, whether it includes Kybella^® or not. The Cirillo Cosmetic Dermatology Spa team is ready to work with each person as an individual, custom-tailoring the treatment for personalized results.