Everything You Need to Know Before Your Kybella Treatment

We all have parts of our bodies that we’re not crazy about.

If your eyes are immediately drawn to the extra skin visible under your chin when you look in the mirror, you’ve probably wondered if there’s anything you can do about it. 

Instead of relegating yourself to finding that perfect angle for pictures or trying to minimize its appearance by contouring with makeup, consider scheduling an appointment for Kybella. 

So, what is Kybella? 

Kybella is an excellent, non-surgical injectable cosmetic treatment that can reduce excess fat under the chin, usually referred to as a “double chin.” It can also be used in a few other areas!

How does Kybella work?

As we said, Kybella is a non-surgical injectable procedure for the area under the chin (known as lipolysis). But this isn’t just an experimental treatment option — the FDA approved Kybella in 2015. The non-surgical component makes it a popular choice, as you can achieve similar results to a facelift or liposuction without needing nearly as much downtime. 

The main ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic form of a substance naturally produced by the body — deoxycholic acid. 

When it occurs in the body, it functions as a bile acid used to absorb fat. Kybella takes that method of action and applies it to a targeted area. Once it’s injected into the chin area, the deoxycholic acid gets to work, destroying fat cells and inhibiting their ability to store fat.

But Kybella isn’t just beneficial for the extra fat under the chin (known as submental fullness); it can also be used in a few other commonly complained about areas, such as:

• Bra area
• Hips
• Stomach
• Thighs

The importance of having Kybella performed by a professional

We understand how tempting it can be to find the least expensive option for your cosmetic treatments. However, especially when it comes to injectable procedures, they must be performed by a trained medical professional, like one of Skin Pharm’s advanced practice providers.

Each injectable treatment — includingBotox, Dysport and dermal fillers — come with their own set of risks. The potential risk of having Kybella injected by anyone other than an advanced practice provider is that the deoxycholic acid can also destroy cells other than those that store fat. 

Not to mention, there is also a risk of nerve injury and infection. It’s well worth spending the money to ensure that the person doing your injections has been trained and knows what they are doing. Plus, it helps you get the best results money can buy.

Sold. How should I prep for a Kybella treatment?

The first step in preparing to have a Kybella treatment performed is to discuss it with a skin care professional. At Skin Pharm, your provider will ask about your medical history, including any history of bleeding issues, trouble swallowing or cosmetic procedures on the neck, chin or face.

This step is crucial because it helps verify that you are the right candidate for Kybella, which minimizes the risk of adverse outcomes. 

Kybella is also not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If possible, try to reduce your usage of anything that may increase the likelihood that you will bruise or bleed the week before your treatment, including aspirin, NSAIDs and vitamins A and E. 

Foods high in sodium, salt and carbs and those that are excessively spicy should also be avoided. 

Scheduling your appointment at least two weeks before any big events is also a great idea so that your skin has enough time to heal. You may want to wait even longer if you know you have sensitive skin. 

What happens during the actual procedure?

If you’ve considered your options, talked to a provider and decided that Kybella is the right cosmetic treatment for you, the next question most people have is what happens during the actual procedure. 

Once you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be asked to wash your face (if you haven’t already done so at home). 

Washing your face helps remove bacteria and minimizes infection risk. After your face is clean and dry, the next step is to apply cold packs directly to the areas receiving treatment. Cold packs help to minimize discomfort during the procedure while also reducing swelling.

Once your face is prepped and ready, your provider will perform the injections. Injections last around 15 minutes, but it may take multiple sessions to reach your goal. While the procedure may be slightly uncomfortable, most patients tolerate it well. 

Keep in mind that each session of Kybella can include up to 50 separate injections. After the injections are complete, the cold packs will be reapplied to help further reduce the amount of swelling you may experience.  

Good to know! Then what happens after my appointment?

Post-Kybella injection, you should expect some mild to moderate swelling. Swelling can be related to the trauma caused by the needles’ puncture and a sign that the deoxycholic acid is working. 

Over time, the acid kills off the fat cells present under the chin, and the body works to metabolize them slowly. It takes about 12 weeks to see full results. 

Sleep face up with your head slightly elevated to help maintain your Kybella injections and minimize potential side effects. Also, although it may be tempting, avoid touching, pressing, massaging, manipulating or rubbing the area. 

You can use ice packs as needed to help manage the swelling and discomfort, but only in 20-minute intervals to avoid damaging the skin. If the swelling bothers you, there are compression garments that you can use to help take it down even further. 

As for lifestyle, providers recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise for at least three to five days after injections and make sure to drink plenty of water to help your healing process. You’ll also want to avoid excess heat or sun exposure, as your skin will be more sensitive while it heals. 

Kybella injections are considered permanent as long as you practice a healthy lifestyle. However, it may take six sessions to achieve those results, performed every 4-6 weeks. 

What side effects can I expect with Kybella?

In addition to the swelling, there are a few other potential side effects that you may experience after your Kybella injections are complete. 

For most people, the temporary swelling also comes along with some minimal bruising. Although that bruising may not be visible to anyone not looking for it, it can also come with some tenderness. You may also experience some temporary numbness in the same area. 

However, in some situations, other, more severe side effects can occur. One of those side effects is known as dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. You may also experience temporary nerve injury or induration at the injection site. 

If you notice any of these potential symptoms, contact your provider right away.

Are there other ways to manage the appearance of my chin and neck?

So much of skin care focuses on the face. And although the face does deserve plenty of attention and care and is the most visible part of your appearance, it shouldn’t come at the expense of other parts of your body. 

When you perform your regular skin care routine, do you also take care of your neck? 

Your neck often shows the signs of the aging process even sooner than the rest of your skin. Combined with the fact that so many people don’t take care of their necks the same way they take care of their face, you are likely to look much older in the neck area than you do in the face. 

Taking care of the skin on your neck doesn’t involve needing to purchase any special products, either. You can simply extend your skin care routine to your neck, helping to keep it moisturized and able to bounce back more quickly. 

In addition to Kybella injections, microneedling, Botox/Dysport injections (known as the “Nefertiti Lift”) and jawline filler can keep you looking your youthful best. Just make sure not to leave your neck out the next time you perform your morning and evening routines.

To sum things up...

What is Kybella? For most people, Kybella is the non-surgical option for minimizing their double chin. In just a few sessions, 80% of people saw a visible improvement of an issue that causes significant problems for their self-esteem. 

Skin Pharm is here to provide you with all the tools you need to improve your skin. If you’re ready to schedule your visit, request an appointment and get started today!