KYBELLA®
Injectable Treatment for Submental Fat
AVAILABLE AT ALL VEGA VITALITY LOCATIONS
AVAILABLE AT ALL VEGA VITALITY LOCATIONS
Kybella® is an FDA-approved injectable treatment designed to reduce moderate to severe submental fat—the fullness beneath the chin commonly referred to as a “double chin.”
Kybella contains synthetic deoxycholic acid, a molecule that helps break down dietary fat in the body. When properly injected into submental fat, Kybella destroys targeted fat cells, which are subsequently cleared through the body’s natural processes.
Once destroyed, those fat cells can no longer accumulate or store fat, allowing appropriately selected patients to achieve a more defined contour beneath the chin without surgery.
The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid.
During treatment, a series of small injections is placed according to a carefully mapped treatment grid beneath the chin. Deoxycholic acid disrupts the membranes of targeted fat cells, causing their destruction.
The body gradually clears the cellular debris following treatment.
Because Kybella actually destroys treated fat cells rather than temporarily shrinking them, retreatment is generally not expected once the desired aesthetic result has been achieved.
That’s much better than “usually permanent depending on lifestyle.” Weight gain can obviously alter overall facial and neck contour, but the treated cells themselves have been destroyed.
Kybella is FDA-approved for improving the appearance of moderate to severe submental fullness in adults.
Submental fullness can be influenced by:
Importantly, not every poorly defined jawline is caused by excess fat.
Loose skin, a recessed chin, prominent platysmal bands, salivary-gland anatomy, skeletal structure, or other features can contribute to the appearance of the neck and jawline.
Your provider will evaluate the cause of your concern before recommending Kybella.
Kybella is best suited for adults with pinchable submental fat who would like to reduce fullness beneath the chin without undergoing liposuction or another surgical procedure.
Patients should have realistic expectations about both results and recovery.
Kybella may be less appropriate when the primary concern is significant loose skin rather than fat, since removing fat without adequately addressing laxity can sometimes make loose skin more noticeable.
A consultation allows your provider to distinguish between excess fat, skin laxity, and structural anatomy before recommending treatment.
Your provider will evaluate and mark the treatment area beneath the chin.
A temporary grid may be applied to guide placement of a series of small injections throughout the targeted submental fat.
The number of injections and amount of Kybella used vary according to the size and distribution of the treatment area.
Treatment itself is relatively brief, although consultation, mapping, preparation, and post-treatment care add to the appointment time.
There is no universal minimum number of Kybella treatments.
Some patients achieve their desired improvement with fewer sessions, while others require additional treatments depending on the amount and distribution of submental fat and their aesthetic goals.
The FDA-approved treatment protocol allows up to six treatment sessions, spaced at least one month apart.
Your Vega Vitality provider will reassess your response before determining whether another treatment is appropriate.
Swelling is expected after Kybella and can be significant, particularly following the first treatment.
Other temporary effects can include:
Swelling is part of the inflammatory response that occurs as treated fat cells are destroyed and cleared. It typically improves gradually, but visible swelling and firmness can persist beyond the first several days.
Patients should consider upcoming social or professional events when scheduling treatment.
Kybella results develop gradually rather than immediately.
As swelling resolves and the body clears treated fat cells, improvement in submental contour becomes progressively more apparent over the following weeks.
If additional treatment is appropriate, subsequent sessions are spaced at least one month apart.
Once the desired aesthetic response has been achieved, additional Kybella treatment is generally not expected.
Kybella and liposuction can both reduce submental fat but offer very different treatment experiences.
Kybella is injectable and does not require surgery or incisions. Reduction occurs gradually and multiple treatments may be necessary. Significant temporary swelling is common.
Submental liposuction physically removes fat during a surgical procedure and can generally produce a larger change during a single treatment, but involves surgery, anesthesia considerations, and surgical recovery.
For patients with a relatively small area of submental fat who prefer a nonsurgical approach, Kybella may be attractive. Patients seeking more substantial or immediate fat removal may be better candidates for surgical consultation.
Kybella treats fat, not primarily loose skin.
Treatments designed to improve skin laxity work through different mechanisms and may be more appropriate when loose or crepey skin is the primary concern. Treatment options to help with skin tightening may include RF microneedling, SkinTyte by Sciton, or Ultherapy.
In some patients, reducing submental fat and addressing skin laxity may both be components of a comprehensive jawline and neck treatment plan.
Your provider will determine which concern—or combination of concerns—is contributing to your appearance.
Kybella is FDA-approved for submental fat beneath the chin.
Deoxycholic acid injections are sometimes used by medical providers in other small areas of localized fat. These applications are off-label, meaning they are not FDA-approved uses of Kybella.
If an off-label treatment is being considered, your provider will discuss the rationale, available evidence, alternatives, potential risks, and expected results during consultation.
Kybella destroys treated fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells can no longer store or accumulate fat. However, aging, weight changes, and changes in surrounding tissues can still alter the appearance of the jawline and neck over time.
There is no required minimum. Treatment needs vary considerably. The FDA-approved protocol permits up to six sessions, with treatments spaced at least one month apart.
Swelling is expected and can be substantial, especially after the first treatment. The degree and duration vary between patients.
Kybella’s primary purpose is destruction of submental fat cells. Patients whose main concern is loose skin may benefit more from a skin-tightening treatment or another approach.
No. Kybella is intended to improve localized submental fullness and is not a treatment for obesity or general weight loss.
In addition to common effects such as swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and firmness, Kybella can cause more significant complications. These include injury to the marginal mandibular nerve, which can produce an uneven smile or facial weakness, and difficulty swallowing. Other injection-site complications are possible and will be reviewed during consultation.
Successful treatment of the area beneath the chin begins with determining why the jawline or neck lacks definition.
For patients with appropriate submental fat, Kybella offers an FDA-approved nonsurgical option that permanently destroys targeted fat cells without incisions.
Your Vega Vitality provider will evaluate your submental fat, skin laxity, facial structure, and aesthetic goals to determine whether Kybella—or another treatment—is the best approach.