Do you have some extra fullness under your chin? Perhaps you’ve had it your whole life, or maybe it has developed over time and you just noticed it recently. This condition is called submental fullness, more commonly known as the dreaded double chin.
WHAT CAUSES A DOUBLE CHIN?
Submental fullness can be caused by weight gain, genetics and/or aging. You don’t have to be overweight to have fullness under your chin, and sometimes, the condition won’t go away no matter how much you exercise or diet.
If you are bothered by submental fullness, you are not alone. According to a 2015 survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), 67% of people surveyed said they are bothered by the fat beneath their chin. In fact, the survey results showed that people are just as bothered by submental fullness as they are by lines and wrinkles under their eyes.
AN INJECTIBLE BREAKTHROUGH
For those who want to firm up their chin area but don’t want to undergo surgery, there are other options. Kybella is a first-of-its-kind prescription medication for those with submental fullness. It’s the only injectable treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration that destroys fat cells in the under-chin area to improve the patient’s profile.
People often choose Kybella because it has a lower recovery time than surgery and therefore fewer risks. Kybella injections also are an option for people who aren’t good candidates for facial plastic surgeries like liposuction or a neck lift.
WHAT DOES KYBELLA DO?
Kybella’s active ingredient is synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected beneath the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness. Once destroyed, these cells no longer can store or accumulate fat, so further treatment is not expected once you reach your aesthetic goal.
HOW THE TREATMENT PROCESS WORKS
Considering Kybella? Here are some other things you should know:
- Before starting treatment, your healthcare specialist will examine the area under and around your chin to determine if Kybella is right for you. Then, your specialist will tailor your treatment to the amount of fat under the chin and your aesthetic goals.
- Treatment only can be administered by a Kybella-trained healthcare specialist. At each treatment, you will receive multiple small injections, and the injection process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The exact number of injections depends on the amount of fat you have under your chin and your desired profile.
- Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the number of treatments varies among patients. Your healthcare specialist will help determine how many treatment sessions you need based on the amount and distribution of your submental fat and your personal treatment goals.
- Each treatment session is spaced at least one month apart, and you should not receive more than six treatments. After treatment, you probably will have some swelling, bruising or numbness under your chin. Many patients experience visible results after two to four treatments.
