For years, the only way to immediately get rid of a double chin was with liposuction. However, this is a surgery, with all the inherent risks (and scarring) of a surgery. Kybella is a new type of double chin treatment that uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid to melt away submental fat for good. Now available at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, Kybella uses a specialized “stamping” device that provides multiple injections of the acid at every treatment. A numbing agent is applied to maximize comfort, and most clients require a few “stamps” per session, with an average of 4 – 6 sessions to achieve optimum results.
Deoxycholic acid is a natural fat-buster, but with Kybella a synthetic form of it is directly injected into the target site. Results are not immediate, but you’ll see significant improvement one month after each procedure. Since it takes time to melt away fat, it’s imperative that a conservative approach is taken—too much fat removal and your jawline with look unnatural. This is why multiple sessions are required. It allows your provider to see how your body responds to each treatment so that the following treatment can be fully customized just for you.
The Kybella Difference
Kybella was approved by the FDA in 2015 as a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for double chins. Also known as “submental fullness,” double chins can happen to anyone, regardless of their weight or size. Often genetic, double chins can make you look older and heavier than you are. One need only look to celebrities deemed the most beautiful, such as Angelina Jolie or Ariana Grande, to see that a strong, sharp jawline is part of this desired aesthetic. In the era of the Zoom Boom, when everyone spends hours looking at themselves on video, there has been an increased demand for safe yet effective facial “tweaking” and Kybella popularity has skyrocketed.
Double chins tend to become more prevalent as we get older thanks to a decrease in collagen and elastin in our skin. Plus, fat pockets tend to collect in this area, and there is no way to “spot reduce” with diet and exercise alone. As we get older, “good fat” in our face (such as in our cheeks, lips, and below our eyes) often dissipates while stubborn fat in the submental area stays the same. The combination of lost skin elasticity with fat pockets that look more pronounced alongside the lost “good” fat can create or exaggerate a double chin.
Why Choose Kybella?
When a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid is injected into the area, it breaks down the fat cells, which are then naturally absorbed and expelled from the body in the days and weeks following the injection. In its natural form, this acid is part of the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Kybella is the latest modality to treat unwanted fat in this area, following on the heels of liposuction and CoolSculpting Mini. CoolSculpting freezes away unwanted fat while Kybella burns it, but Kybella is the most-requested treatment for double chins because providers typically have more control over exact fat reduction with this tool. Considering it is such a small and delicate area, precision is key.
One of the main advantages of Kybella is its simplicity. It’s much safer and less invasive than liposuction, and the treatments are fairly quick. Most patients require just 20 – 30 minutes per Kybella appointment. Plus, once these fat cells are dissolved, they are permanently removed. However, weight gain can still cause nearby fat cells to grow and expand, so Kybella is an addition to a healthy diet and exercise routine, not an alternative.
Combining Treatments
Remember that a double chin can be caused by fat, skin laxity, or both. Kybella does not treat skin laxity, so if you struggle with both you may need to combine Kybella with skin tightening treatments for best results. There are multiple modalities for this including lasers, microneedling, Morpheus8, and more. Using medical-grade skin care products can also help to maximize and sustain results. To find out more about Kybella and all options at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, call the office today or simply complete the online form.