Feel Confident with a Kybella Treatment
Among the top skin concerns affecting men and women alike is the dreaded “double chin.” This is a very common condition that can affect people of all ages but is particularly common in aging skin. Fortunately, an FDA-approved cosmetic treatment called Kybella can help solve this problem. Here’s how Kybella works and how it can help you feel more confident in your skin.
What to Know About Kybella Treatment
What Is a “Double Chin”?
The medical term for the “double chin” is actually submental fullness. It causes a rounder, fuller appearance in the face and neck. It can also give the effect of looking older. This skin concern affects many people, including those who are at a healthy or optimal weight. In a 2014 survey from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), nearly 70% of people reported that they were bothered by their submental fullness.
Though a contributing factor might also be weight cycling or losing and gaining weight continuously, submental fullness is most often caused by aging or genetics. Often, people attempt to get rid of their submental fullness by losing weight through diet and exercise. Unfortunately, the area under the chin is particularly difficult to target and is often resistant to the efforts of diet and exercise. Previously, any options for getting rid of submental fullness were surgery or liposuction. But advances in medical technology have offered an FDA-approved cosmetic treatment that has shown stellar results in treating this top skin concern.
How Does Kybella Work?
Kybella is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment, so no surgery or incisions are required. It’s best used on people with moderate to severe submental fullness. Originally developed by Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, the Kybella cosmetic treatment uses an active ingredient of deoxycholic acid. This molecule occurs naturally in the body to break down and absorb fat. During the Kybella procedure, deoxycholic acid is injected into the skin, and the fat cell membrane is disrupted. Ultimately, the fat around the area begins to dissolve, and fat is no longer stored or accumulated in the region under the chin.
The Kybella treatment is very fast, taking only 15-20 minutes. Results can be seen within a few weeks of treatment as the area of submental fullness begins to shrink. While results are usually beginning to be noticeable after one treatment, an additional one or two treatments are typically needed to completely treat the area. Each of these procedures is separated by at least one month. Two to four treatments are often the amount needed to see full, ideal results, but depending on the severity of the double chin, up to six treatments might be necessary.
What Side Effects Does Kybella Have?
Kybella does not necessarily produce any side effects. However, if there are side effects, the most common include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness around the treatment area. More serious side effects like trouble swallowing or nerve injury in the jaw can lead to an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness, but these occur only in very rare cases. However, these are usually temporary and fade over time once Kybella treatments are discontinued.
Kybella is not recommended for use in patients with a history of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or bleeding abnormalities.
Contact Louisiana Dermatology Associates
If you’re in Baton Rouge or the surrounding areas and want to see if you’re a candidate for Kybella, contact Louisiana Dermatology Associates today. One of our board-certified specialists can talk you through your options.