Kybella is a first-of-its-kind injectable treatment. It improves the appearance of submental fat, commonly referred to as a double chin. When diet and exercise no longer help patients look better, Kybella does. It works at a cellular level, so results last a very long time.
Stubborn Fat
Fat cells decrease in size but not quantity with weight loss. In other words, the number of fat cells in the body stays the same regardless of how much weight a person gains or loses. A change in fat cell size is what makes people look slimmer. Many people hit a roadblock when they can no longer decrease the size of their fat cells. They do not look as slim as they would like, but they cannot continue to shrink the fat cells. When this happens under the chin, it is called “submental fullness”. For many, even a healthy diet and exercise can’t tone this kind of fat, which can affect a person’s overall appearance.
Kybella: How it Works
Instead of shrinking them, Kybella reduces the number of fat cells in the treated area. The main ingredient in Kybella, deoxycholic acid, is a naturally occurring molecule that breaks down fat and removes it from the body. Shortly after treatment, patients report a reduction of their double chin. Usually, multiple treatments are needed for optimal results.
Kybella: How it is Used
Kybella is only FDA-approved for reduction of submental fat. However, the treatment is also commonly used to treat fat bulges around the bra or bra fat. It cannot be used to remove or tighten loose, sagging skin. When Kybella is used to treat bra fat, it decreases the number of fat cells and appearance improves. It is important to mention that Kybella is not an appropriate treatment option for obesity or moderate weight loss. Kybella may only be administered by a trained and certified medical professional.
If you are interested in learning more about Kybella treatments, please schedule a consultation by one of our Board-certified dermatologists at our Chevy Chase office by filling out the form on this page or calling 301-798-9699.