IS KYBELLA PERMANENT? 6 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TREATMENT

A double chin is one of the more frustrating features that you could develop. Sometimes they’re caused by weight gain, but they can also be caused by genetics or aging. And even if you work hard at dieting and exercising and getting into shape, it may not do much to remove a double chin. Fat deposits in this area are very stubborn, and it’s not as if there are exercises meant to tone the muscles in your chin. However, there are a few treatments for double chins, and Kybella is one of them. 

WHAT IS KYBELLA?

Kybella is an injectable that’s designed to kill the fat cells in the infected area so that they can’t continue to grow. While it’s frequently used for double chins, it does have other uses, such as the neck or the fat from the so-called “bra bulge.”

The ingredient in the injection is synthetic (so non-human and non-animal) deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid occurs naturally in your body – its purpose is to break down fat – so it’s a safe substance as an injectable. It’s also been approved by the FDA and is the only such submental fat injectable currently on the market. Take a look at the things that you need to know about before you decide whether Kybella treatment is the right route for you. 

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Kybella is a pretty simple treatment, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily one-and-done. While some people are satisfied with their results after only one treatment, others need more. In fact, the majority need around 6 shots in order to achieve the desired results. 

When you need multiple Kybella treatments, they’re usually spaced one month apart. You may not actually see results until somewhere around the four to six-week mark, so you might have already had two injections before you start to see what’s happening. A trained professional can give you a better idea of exactly how many treatments your specific problem area will need. 

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS LIKE?

It’s natural to wonder exactly what will happen when you go in for a Kybella treatment. It’s a pretty simple procedure, especially compared to some of the more invasive cosmetic surgeries. To prepare for the treatment, your provider may ask you to stop taking certain OTC meds and supplements prior to the procedure and a few days after. These are usually medications that contribute to bruising, like ibuprofen, aspirin, Omega 3s, and St. John’s wort. You’ll also be asked to shave the treatment area prior to your appointment. 

When you go in for the appointment, you’ll be given an anesthetic to numb the area. Once that takes effect, you’ll receive the injectable, which is actually a series of shots – up to about 50 spaced a centimeter apart. This sounds like a lot, but remember the area will be numbed so that you don’t feel as much, and by the time it wears off, you won’t feel much, if any, pain. 

WILL I NEED TIME TO RECOVER?

It’s unlikely that you’ll need to worry about much recovery beyond waiting for the anesthetic to wear off. However, occasionally patients do experience some minor swelling in the area. This is nothing to worry about, however, it just means that the procedure is working as it was meant to. 

If you were asked to give up a supplement or OTC medication, you will probably need to keep your distance from them for a few days post-procedure, and you might also be asked to give up salt and alcohol for a few days. However, outwardly you’ll look normal, aside from the possibility of light swelling for a short time, and you’ll be able to do all of the activities that you normally would do.

IS KYBELLA PERMANENT?

You’re probably wondering if Kybella is a temporary improvement or a permanent procedure. What you need to know is that because Kybella kills fat cells, it is considered permanent. Once the fat cells are dead, they’re dead. 

However, you can develop new fat cells. If you gain too much weight, it’s entirely possible that you’ll develop new fat cells in the same old place, and these fat cells can continue to store fat and cause the same problem. It’s likely that fat cell growth in the treated area will be minimal, but it’s not impossible that it could go back to what it was before. Kybella is a permanent procedure, but that doesn’t mean that you can gain as much weight as you want without ever reverting to the original double chin. 

DO I HAVE OTHER OPTIONS?

When you’re considering a procedure, you should always find out if there are other options that do the same thing. There are other options that get rid of the fat that the Kybella injection gets rid of. However, they have their downsides and may not be the best choice.

For example, liposuction is an effective way to get rid of fat, but it’s also invasive, and it leaves entry scars. For something like a double chin, you probably don’t want a treatment that scars because it may be more visible. You’ll also pay more and need longer to recover from liposuction than from Kybella.

Other options include lasers and CoolSculpting. These can destroy fat cells, but on the other hand, they don’t tighten skin, so it can leave you with saggy skin in place of the missing fat, which isn’t usually an improvement. Kybella tightens skin as it works, so it may be a preferable choice. Plus, like liposuction, these options cost more and take more time to recover from, which can be a problem if you just want to have a treatment and get back to your regular life. 

If you want to learn more about skincare and treatments that will help your face and body look their best, Iconic Skin Clinic has information and products that can help you to achieve the results that you’re looking for.