A survey conducted not too long ago by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery found that two-thirds of those polled were self-conscious about their double chins.
The technical name for it is submental fullness. The causes vary. In some, it’s just something they’re born with, passed down through genetics. In others, it can appear later in life, as a result of aging or weight gain. Either way, the double chin is one of those conditions that never really goes away, no matter how much you diet or exercise.
For a long time, the only available treatment for a double chin was liposuction, which struck many as fairly invasive considering the size and location of the area of concern. But a new option entered the picture a few years ago, and it’s completely revolutionized the experience.
When Kybella is injected into the fat beneath the chin, it destroys the fat cells, which results in a significant reduction in the fullness under the chin. It’s fast, it’s noninvasive, it’s permanent, and there’s little to no downtime.
Approved by the FDA in 2015, Kybella uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which aids fat digestion. When Kybella’s injected into subcutaneous fat, the acid breaks down fat in the targeted locations.
In more than 20 clinical studies involving over 1,600 patients treated with Kybella, nearly 70 percent reported physical and emotional improvement.
Kybella’s effectiveness in treating other small pockets of fat, beyond the double chin, is being investigated. Studies involving the upper knees and the roll of fat that can be present under the bra line or between the bra and armpit are underway.
What’s the procedure like?
You’ll receive a series of injections over about 15 to 20 minutes. How many injections you’ll receive and treatments you’ll need will depend on the amount of fat under your chin and your aesthetic goals. In the studies, 59 percent of patients underwent six treatments. Each treatment is given at least a month apart, but there are patient’s that love the results after one treatment for a double chin.
Is there any downtime?
There can be some minor swelling, numbness around the treated area following the injections, but it’s usually short-lived and nothing that would prevent you from, say, returning to work following a treatment or running some errands.
Your double chin will improve gradually over the next few weeks as the dissolved fat is cleared naturally. And within a few months, maybe even less, it’ll be as though it never existed.