If you are researching Kybella, you likely already know that it is used to treat a double chin. However, it can be harder to find out exactly what to expect from the process, from beginning to end, including what the appointment will feel like, what side effects you can expect and how long it will take to see your results. At Laser Aesthetics of Cape Cod, we believe in keeping our patients in the know so they can move forward with their treatments with more confidence and a greater awareness of the process.
Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable made to destroy fat cells beneath the chin. Its active ingredient is a substance called deoxycholic acid, a molecule your body already uses to break down dietary fat in the gut. When we inject it into submental fat, it goes through the same process, rupturing the fat-cell membrane and allowing your lymphatic system to clear it out. These cells are gone permanently and won’t store fat again, so results are long-lasting if you keep a stable weight.
Setting good expectations before any cosmetic treatment is the best way to make sure you are satisfied with your results. Nonsurgical treatments are not designed for radical transformations like you might get with surgery. Instead, they offer gradual improvements that suit your facial features and allow you to still look like yourself. With Kybella, you will look swollen before you look sculpted, and your final shape will appear after several months of treatments.
Before you receive injections, you will have the chance to meet with us and talk about what you are looking for from this treatment. It is also important that we verify your candidacy by going over your health history and taking a look at your submental area to make sure Kybella will be effective for you.
Kybella is often more suitable for those who have good skin elasticity under their chin but have a mild to moderate amount of excess fat, whether because of genetics or as a result of weight gain and loss. You can ask any questions that come to mind during this time, including how many sessions you may need, what downtime will look like, the total cost and what to expect during injections.
Kybella treatments involve rows of tiny injections under the chin. Because this can be uncomfortable for some, we usually start with a topical numbing cream applied to the area, which takes around 30 minutes to begin working. We use a temporary grid to mark the injection locations. This is a pattern of dots that map each injection point across the entire underside of the chin.
After preparing your skin, you will receive twenty to thirty injections of the product. Injections can come with a pinch and a burning sensation from the deoxycholic acid as it begins its work. We will stay in contact with you throughout your treatment, so you can express any feedback as we work. Injections only take a few minutes.
Swelling is expected and normal after a Kybella treatment. It tends to be especially noticeable after the first treatment when there are more fat cells for the deoxycholic acid to react with. The inflammatory response is a sign that Kybella is breaking down the fat. Expect noticeable puffiness, tenderness, firmness and a numb feeling under the chin. You can sleep with your head elevated and use ice in short intervals to keep you comfortable during this stage.
The swelling under your chin will gradually begin to settle, and any bruising will start to fade. Some patients see a sharper jawline start to appear after their first treatment, while others won’t see a difference until after several treatments. The tissue is still remodeling at this stage, so it is important to continue being patient as Kybella does its work.
After your first treatment, you may need up to five more sessions to treat all of your submental fat. If you have good skin quality, the tissue will retract to its new contour and leave you with sharper lines along the jawline and under the chin. Other patients may need skin-tightening treatments to help complete the look. Follow-up data from the peer-reviewed REFINE phase 3 trials found that these improvements were still in place three years after treatment.
Most patients have somewhere between two and six sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart, to give their bodies time to process fat between visits. The right number for you will depend on how much submental fat you start with and how well your fat cells respond. We will reassess your shape in between sessions and adjust your treatment plan as needed. We offer payment plan options to make planning that much easier.
Kybella is not the only path to a defined jawline, and part of our comprehensive care is matching the method to the person. CoolSculpting freezes and crystallizes fat cells without needles, which some patients prefer. Kybella is suitable for those who need precision and customization: those small, grid-guided injections let us sculpt a specific pocket and produce gradual, natural-looking change. If you are weighing your choices for a double chin, we will walk you through all of the pros and cons of each treatment to find the right solution.
Because early swelling is expected and final results take several months, we recommend planning backwards from any important event. If you have a wedding, reunion, or photo shoot on your calendar, we will build your session timeline to account for this.
There is no formal downtime with Kybella, and you can return to work the same day or the next. Some people are uncomfortable going out during the peak swelling phase and like to schedule appointments before a long weekend or during a vacation. Patients who want to return to work and are worried about swelling can consider a scarf or high collar that covers the area.
Because Kybella does not tighten skin, patients with mild loose skin sometimes see the best profile when Kybella is paired with skin tightening. We can discuss whether combining your skin-tightening treatment with Potenza RF microneedling or a laser treatment is an option in your situation.
The best way to know what your own Kybella treatment will look like is a conversation with a provider at Laser Aesthetics of Cape Cod who has done this for years. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page, then call 508-778-6363 or request your consultation online. We look forward to helping you feel like yourself, with treatments right here on Cape Cod.
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