Non-invasive cosmetic enhancements have become a popular trend due to the rise of the “filtered” face era. A recent study revealed that nearly half of Americans are bothered by the appearance of their submental fat or double chin.
Many surgical options can reduce this excess fat beneath the chin. Among the popular ones is the Kybella injection, a minimally invasive procedure for unwanted double chin.
But how long does Kybella last? This is a common question that many patients ask.
Keep reading to learn more about double chins and how a Kybella treatment session can help.
What Causes a Double Chin?
The major cause of a double chin is the localized build-up of submental fat cells as a result of obesity. Furthermore, the area underneath the chin is one of the most likely places to see a significant amount of fat cells being deposited even after a slight weight gain.
Besides obesity, other causes of a double chin include too much dietary fat consumption, genetics, medical conditions such as Cushing’s disease, and the natural aging process. Although double chins on their own do not constitute a medical condition, they usually cause insecurities and problems with self-image. One of the treatment options that are rapidly gaining popularity is Kybella.
What Is Kybella?
Kybella is the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment for moderate to severe submental fat (aka “double chin”). It is essentially an injection containing deoxycholic acid as the active ingredient injection that targets submental fat cells. This is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance and profile of your face.
It is difficult to lose fat in the lower half of your face with diet and exercise, as you probably know. Kybella helps address this issue by tightening and firming the skin around the chin. Once you’ve achieved your desired results, it’s unlikely that you’ll need further treatments.
[Read: Healing Your Skin From Within: How Diet Affects Your Skin]
How Do Kybella Injections Work?
Kybella is composed of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids with the digestion and absorption of dietary cholesterol.
Once Kybella is injected, it destroys fat cells to prevent them from storing or accumulating more fat. This causes a noticeable decrease in the fat underneath the chin and reveals a more defined chin profile.
What To Expect From Your Kybella Treatment Sessions?
Kybella isn’t for everyone, the treatment is only for patients who are healthy and have no history of autoimmune diseases. Your trusted aesthetician must also assess the chin first to determine if Kybella is the appropriate treatment for you.
After the area has been numbed, your cosmetic provider will apply Kybella to the treatment sites. Your body weight will determine the amount of Kybella you need.
Putting ice in the area will help decrease swelling and pain after the treatment. As a whole, each Kybella treatment session will last around 15 to 20 minutes.
Side effects of Kybella include swelling and fullness within the first few days after treatment. It is highly advised to schedule your Kybella treatment strategically to reduce swelling before attending social events.
Kybella Results
Patients will see immediate results, but that will only last for 3 to 4 days. Over the next four weeks, collagen will begin to grow and will make more visible results.
In addition, patients need to massage the injection site 5 times daily for five consecutive days after the injections. The results will not look natural if the area isn’t massaged.
The treatment plan works subtly and gradually over time, but produces beautiful natural-looking results!
How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
Usually, patients should start to see noticeable results after the first treatment, but this varies from individual to individual. The appearance of submental fullness should gradually decrease after two to four sessions thanks to the action of synthetic deoxycholic acid.
Additionally, the patient’s individual needs and the target results will determine how many treatments are necessary. Patients usually require between 2-6 treatments to achieve full correction and desired results that last permanently. Rarely are any additional treatments required beyond this.
You can come in for an initial consultation with a reputable medical aesthetician to discuss your medical history, skin condition, and the best treatment plan to get rid of your double chins.
How Long Does Kybella Last?
Kybella treatments destroy unwanted chin fat cells permanently so they’ll never return. This means that you can enjoy your new sculpted chin that can last for many years. However, a healthy lifestyle is still very important to prevent fat cells and submental fullness from appearing in other areas of the body.
Will I Experience Downtime?
Kybella does not require the same recovery time as other invasive surgical procedures. The procedure itself will only take a matter of minutes because it is a simple matter of going in for your Kybella shots. In no time at all, you can be in and out of the provider’s office.
A local anesthetic or numbing cream is all that is required and in most cases, patients do not experience any pain during the procedure. Although the injection sites may be swollen and bruised for a few days, they will eventually heal within one week. You can take any over-the-counter pain medication to relieve any discomfort.
FAQs
Does Kybella Last Permanently?
Fat cells that have been treated with deoxycholic acid do not return because the reaction is permanent, so in that regard, Kybella can be regarded as lasting forever.
Is Kybella a Permanent Fix?
Once patients have received Kybella treatment, the results would typically last a lifetime. However, if patients gain weight again, then fat cells may be deposited in other areas of the body.
How Often Do You Need To Do Kybella?
Generally, for patients to achieve desired results that last permanently, these treatments have to be repeated several times at a rate of about one treatment per month. The specific number of repeat injections will vary among different patients, depending on how much fat is being targeted, which is why it is advisable to go in for a consultation to discuss which treatment is best for you.
Is Kybella Safe?
Kybella offers a very safe option for getting rid of excess fat deposits. It is an FDA-approved injectable that is generally painless, and any discomfort, later on, can be handled using over-the-counter ibuprofen.
Although the procedure is generally considered safe, Kybella may not be advisable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It’s best to consult your physician first before undergoing this procedure.
Is Kybella Right For Me?
Nearly everyone loves Kybella, thanks to the widespread evidence of positive results that are seen in most patients. However, the treatment isn’t right for everyone.
To determine the best treatment for you, consult a professional cosmetic specialist or medical aesthetician. They also need to find out if you have had any enhancements to your neck, face, or chin in the past or if you intend to do so in the future.
Schedule a consultation with Prescott Medical Aesthetics to see if Kybella is the right method for you to get rid of that bothersome double chin once and for all!
We are a team of medical aestheticians in Prescott dedicated to providing you with the highest-quality medical care for all your skincare and cosmetic procedures, including Kybella. We perform minimally invasive procedures with little to no pain and less downtime.
Do you have any questions about the Kybella injections? Ask us in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you!