Kybella Injections
Double Chin Treatment in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is an expert in the use of Kybella injections to treat fat deposits underneath the chin, more commonly known as a “double chin”. Dr. Palm was one of a select few dermatologists and plastic surgeons across the country chosen to serve as speaker, physician trainer, and clinical investigator for Kybella. She teaches other physicians how to use Kybella effectively and conducted the Kybella CONTOUR study at her practice, which is located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is the first FDA-cleared, non-surgical treatment for submental fat, or fat underneath the chin. It is administered as a simple series of injections over a period of weeks to months to help minimize or eliminate unwanted fat from the neck and chin area. Kybella was known formerly during its development as ATX-101 and is also known as deoxycholate or deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that is known to break down dietary fat.
Is Kybella Available in the U.S.?
Kybella was FDA-approved in late April 2015 for the treatment of unwanted fat in the chin area. In July 2014, Kybella was accepted for a NDA (New Drug Application) by the FDA, meaning that the FDA is reviewing Kybella and its related clinical studies for approval as a new drug in the United States.
How Does Kybella Differ from Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy describes the use of chemical injections into the fat layer to diminish the number of fat cells. Mesotherapy has been performed in the U.S. with non-FDA-approved products, typically compounded through pharmacies. Most commonly, these mesotherapy compounds included chemical compounds such as deoxycholate (deoxycholic acid or DC) or phosphatidylcholine (PC). Kybella is the first FDA-approved drug for use in non-invasive fat reduction.
Where Can Kybella Be Injected?
Kybella is FDA-approved on label for the diminution of small, unwanted fat deposits underneath the chin called “submental fat.” The company that produces Kybella is very clear in its training to physicians that this is the intended area of usage. However, skilled physicians use Kybella in areas other than the submental area of the chin. Small areas of unwanted fat deposits can be treated successfully, including the neck, jowls, arms, or even areas of the body. Small irregularities caused by improperly-performed liposuction can be improved by Kybella.
Are Results from Kybella Seen Immediately?
Kybella is typically performed as a series of treatments in order to produce the most dramatic and natural looking results. Fat reduction in the area of treatment is gradual and improves over a period of weeks to months. A typical treatment regimen includes 3-4 Kybella sessions spaced every 6-8 weeks.
Kybella Injections FAQ
No. As demonstrated in the clinical studies submitted to the FDA, as the fat reduction occurs in the chin and neck area, the skin retracts or tightens to provide a more defined chin and jawline.
Kybella’s active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, has been shown to naturally break down fat in the body. Therefore, the elimination of fat cells related to Kybella treatment should be permanent. However, weight changes due to diet and exercise habits could increase the size of remaining fat cells. Therefore, large weight gain could result in the recurrence of unwanted fat in previously Kybella treated areas.
The side effects following Kybella are mild and limited in nature to the area of injection. The sites of injection may experience temporary redness, burning, numbness, or pain following Kybella treatment. Mild to moderate swelling is common after Kybella treatment and typically lasts several days up to 1 week. The degree of swelling is correlated to the amount of Kybella used during treatment and the amount of fat being treated. Very rarely, Kybella treatment may cause a temporary change in one’s smile, due to irritation of a nerve near the treatment area. This is rare and resolves over time.
Kybella treatment is performed in the office setting. The area of treatment is cleaned with an antiseptic cleanser – for Dr. Palm this includes an antiseptic cleanser and/or alcohol swab. Following proper preparation, the neck area is treated with a series of small injections using a very fine needle, causing minimal discomfort. The procedure is short and straightforward and completed in a manner of minutes. A mild stinging or tingling is common following injection and typically lasts 5-15 minutes.
Kybella involves a minimal amount of discomfort during injection of the solution but otherwise is extremely well-tolerated. To increase patient comfort during the procedure, Dr. Palm may inject small amounts of a local anesthetic called lidocaine or use ice in the treatment area prior to injection. Additionally, she provides cooling of the skin, which distracts from any mild discomfort during the procedure.
Yes, Kybella may be used by experienced, core-specialty physicians in combination with other procedures to enhance the neck and jawline. Kybella may be used in some patients as an alternative to liposuction. As Kybella eliminates unwanted fat in the submental area, it may be combined with other neck rejuvenation procedures to produce a more pleasing jawline and neck. For example, Ultherapy may provide additional skin tightening and lifting to complement the contouring effect from Kybella. Skin resurfacing treatment options such as ResurFX or ECO2 laser skin resurfacing may be used to further improve fine lines and wrinkles of the neck and jawline area. Lastly, a photo facial or IPL may be used to improve redness, sun damage, or brown spots of the lower face, jawline and neck to complement the fat reduction properties of Kybella.
Prices for Kybella depend on the severity of chin fat to be treated and the number of treatment sessions. At Art of Skin MD, we charge by the amount of Kybella used, ranging typically from 1 vial (2cc) for extremely small chin fat areas to around 5 vials (10 cc) for larger necks. This pricing is similar to charging Botox by the unit, so patients are only charged for the amount of Kybella they receive. As the degree of improvement with Kybella is highly dependent on the injector’s experience and understanding of the product, it is encouraged that Kybella is performed a board-certified dermatologist skilled in advanced cosmetic procedures such as Dr. Palm.
If you are looking for a Kybella injections expert in the San Diego area to treat your double chin, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule your appointment.
