Kybella, or keoxycholic acid, is a naturally based substance. It is the direct equivalent to a chemical produced by your body, which helps to absorb and process fatty tissue. Rather than simply shrinking or reducing the appearance of fat cells, Kybella eliminates existing fat cells, while otherwise inhibiting the growth of new fatty tissue. At present, Kybella is used as part of a cosmetic procedure to reduce the appearance of fat deposits below the chin, which are sometimes referred to as a “double chin.”
Presently, Kybella has only been tested and approved for use in chin enhancement procedures. Its use in the reduction of fat depositions elsewhere in the body has yet to be given the go-ahead.
Who Benefits from Kybella Treatment?
There is no harm incurred through the presence of additional fat below the chin, but many people find the presence of a double chin unsightly and embarrassing. Kybella treatment is a harmless cosmetic procedure which can help boost confidence and improve a patient’s self-esteem.
Before the Cosmetic Procedure
Your board-certified dermatologist will want to test to make sure that you are not allergic to deoxycholic acid, the naturally occurring substance of which Kybella is based. You also need to make sure that your skin is devoid of infection in the area to be treated.
If you have a history of neck injury, a blood clotting disorder, or are currently affected by a condition that results in swollen glands or lymph nodes, make sure to tell your doctor ahead of time. It’s better to postpone the treatment until it can be ascertained as being completely safe.
After Chin Enhancement with Kybella
You will want to avoid an excess of physical activity which places strain on the neck or throat while recovering from a session, and avoid excess sun exposure, which can slow recovery time. Otherwise, ask your doctor for specific instructions regarding what to avoid eating or drinking while recovering from your injections.
How Kybella Works
Kybella injections will be provided by a licensed healthcare provider. Up to fifty injections may be involved in each treatment session, with a total of up to eight sessions being required in order to secure optimum results. The drug will eliminate excess fat cells in the area of injection, reducing both current and future fat deposits of the kind that contribute to the appearance of a double chin.
Side Effects and Other Concerns
Side effects from Kybella are rare. If you experience trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, a crooked smile, or weakened facial muscles after one or more Kybella injections, get in touch with your physician immediately.
More common and less severe side effects may include a slight ache, hardness, swelling or bruising in the area which has been treated. These might occur after one or more sessions, or they may not be experienced at all. These are temporary effects but your doctor can provide you with a prescription to reduce their severity if necessary.