In 2018, plastic surgeons reported that most facial treatments were cosmetic and nonsurgical, which included injections such as Kybella. You may be wondering about the motivation behind the boom for improving one’s facial contour. The rise of selfies has caused a trend among cosmetic enhancements that are noninvasive. When wanting to eliminate a double chin, Kybella is the ideal treatment. But how long does Kybella last?
This is a question many of our patients are asking, so we thought we would write this guide on Kybella injections to help you understand what this treatment option can offer you!
What is Kybella?
Kybella injections are deoxycholic acid, which will eliminate fat cells in the chin area. Deoxycholic acid will destroy the fat cell, meaning it will no longer be able to hold fat. The cell will be eliminated by the lymphatic system through waste. This acid naturally occurs in the body, and aids in the digestion of fat. Kybella is a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid but works exactly the same.
As you know, the excess fat within the lower part of the face is challenging to target with diet and exercise. While treatment options in the past have led to facial surgery, Kybella can achieve tighter, firmer skin in the chin area.
It is the first FDA-approved injection of its kind to treat moderate to severe cases of submental fat. Kybella can improve the shape of the face subtle without appearing like you had loads of cosmetic work done.
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What is Submental Fat?
Submental fat is the accumulation of fat underneath the chin. This fat can be caused by the natural aging process, heredity, obesity, or other factors. An outstanding 67% of Americans have reported that they are unhappy with the fullness of their lower face.
Many surgical procedures can be done to help eliminate this fat, including liposuction and a facelift. However, the most popular cosmetic enhancement for a double chin is Kybella injections. Kybella offers a nonsurgical, low-risk solution while providing patients with maximum results without prolonged recovery times.
How Long Does It Take for Kybella to Work?
On average, it takes about four to six weeks after treatment for Kybella to work and get you desired look. You may have to have up to 4 treatments before obtaining the desired results. It will highly depend on how your body reacts to the injections as to how many treatments you will need.
Any additional treatments may be done 8 to 10 weeks apart. Once results are obtained there will be no need for touch-ups. The results will be permanent. You will be able to take as many confident selfies as you like.
How Long Does Kybella Last?
Kybella will last forever! Maximum results can be seen after six months and are long-lasting. Kybella completely destroys fat cells and they disappear permanently. So, once these fat cells are eliminated you will be able to enjoy your newly sculpted chin for many years.
Is Kybella Safe?
Yes, Kybella is safe. In 2015, Kybella was FDA cleared as a treatment for submental fullness in the chin area. However, at this time Kybella is only approved for use in the chin area.
Do Kybella Treatments Hurt?
No, they don’t hurt. Kybella is injected with the use of an ultra-fine needle. Some local anesthetic or numbing cream may be placed to help decrease the discomfort of the injections during your treatment. You may experience soreness the next day after your treatment, but you can take over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Tylenol to help with the discomfort. This should dissipate within a few days.
What Are The Side Effects of Kybella?
The most common side effect of Kybella is soreness, which can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. You may also experience swelling, redness, or bruising in or around the injection sites. The area may look fuller than before, but this fullness will decrease as the swelling goes down.
How Long Does Swelling Last?
Swelling after Kybella treatment will last for 1 to 3 days, but it could be up to a few weeks before the area completely returns back to normal. It is rare, but some patients may experience numbness in the areas where Kybella was injected. However, this will go away in about 3 weeks.
Overall, Kybella injections are well tolerated. During your consultation, your cosmetic provider will get a list of health issues, as well as your past medical history. This will help them determine if Kybella is right for you, as well as design a treatment plan.
Does Fat Come Back After Kybella?
Fat does not come back in areas treated with Kybella. This treatments destroys fat cells and they are eliminated by the lymphatic system. Keep in mind that if you gain a lot of weight after Kybella treatment, fat deposits can occur around treated areas, and that may appear unnatural.
What Other Ways Could You Eliminate a Double Chin?
There are a few alternatives when it comes to eliminating a double chin.
- CoolSculpting – This is a body contouring option that can also be used in the chin area. This unique fat-freezing technology is a nonsurgical, scientifically proven way to reduce pockets of fat in as little as one session.
- Liposuction – This treatment option will require general anesthesia and recovery time. It will liquefy the fat and it can then be removed with the use of a cannula.
- Face Lift – This is a more extreme surgical procedure that will tighten and eliminate saggy skin in the facial area. It will require general anesthesia and there will be a recovery period.
Diet and exercise alone will not allow you to spot-reduce fat like Kybella or CoolSculpting. If you are looking for a non-invasive treatment option these are the two best solutions.
If you are interested in body contouring, check out our blog on Emsculpt.
How Long Is Each Treatment Session?
Treatment sessions typically take about 20 minutes. Injections will only take minutes to administer but it will take a little bit for your chin to become numb from the local anesthetic or cream that your provider uses.
Does Kybella Require Downtime?
Kybella will not require a recovery period as surgical treatments do. You are in and out of your provider’s office in no time. Many people have these types of cosmetic procedures done during a lunch break and return to work afterward. The injection spots will be swollen and bruised for a few days, but this will get better within a week. If you notice discomfort you can take any type of over-the-counter pain relief to help you.
Is Kybella Right for Me?
Kybella is not right for everyone. You must consult with a cosmetic specialist who can offer professional advice about your treatment and it will highly depend on what is causing the aesthetic issues to determine the correct treatment for you. If you are nursing or pregnant you are not a candidate for Kybella.
What Can I Expect When I Go in for My Kybella Treatment Session?
The first time you come into SeaMist Medspa we will assess your past medical history and determine which treatment option is best for you. From there, if Kybella is chosen, the area of treatment will be marked to indicate where the injections will be placed. A local anesthetic will be placed before your treatment begins.
Once the area is numb, your cosmetic provider will use small needles to administer Kybella in the marked areas. A customized amount for each injection will be determined according to your body weight.
You will want to ice the area to help decrease swelling and pain after the treatment. As a whole, each session will last around 15 to 20 minutes.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Now that you understand more about this procedure, you may be ready to improve your selfie profile. At SeaMist Medspa we offer a unique experience for all of our patients. All treatment plans are catered to your specific needs. If you are ready to take the next steps in getting Kybella treatments, contact us today. We look forward to contouring your face and improving your confidence.
