Are Kybella Injections Safe?
If you’d like to get rid of your unflattering double chin, but don’t want to undergo surgery, Kybella can melt it away for you. Kybella is an injectable treatment for fat underneath the chin that has made a big impact since its release in 2015, and men and women who feel self-conscious about their double chin have been lining up to get the procedure done.
What is KYBELLA®?
Kybella is a non-surgical treatment for submental fat (fat below the chin) that can be used to effectively sculpt the chin and neck area. It is made of deoxycholic acid, which is a substance that the body produces naturally, and uses to metabolize fat.
In order to gain the full effects with Kybella, a series of 2-4 treatments are done over a period of several months. However, depending on the amount of fat that has to be treated, up to 6 treatments may be required. A single session lasts for 15 to 20 minutes, and consists of multiple injections. It can take up to 4 weeks to see the final results.
How it works
Kybella is injected into the submental fat using a tiny needle. It works by destroying the membrane of the fat cells, causing the contents to leak from the cells. The fatty deposits are then naturally eliminated by the body. Watch the video below to learn more:
Are Kybella injections safe?
Kybella injections are entirely safe, but the accompanying safety guidelines must be adhered to. In addition the drug must be administered only by a trained and experienced injector, otherwise serious complications can result.
Ideally, Kybella injections should be carried out by a board certified dermatologist, or facial plastic surgeon, with intimate knowledge of the anatomy of the face and neck. Injectors in the US have to undergo the requisite training and certification by Allergan. Allergan is the pharmaceutical company behind a line of successful aesthetic treatments including botox.
Kybella is FDA approved for the treatment of submental fat (fat below the chin), and is not yet cleared by the FDA for use in any other part of the body. However, studies to determine the use of Kybella in other areas are being carried out.
For optimal safety, Kybella must be injected into the right area, using the proper technique, and it must be recommended for the right patient. Let’s take a look at each of these factors that can impact safety.
1. Where Kybella is injected
Kybella is only to be injected into the subcutaneous fat below the chin. If the drug is administered outside of the approved area, it can lead to nerve injury, and other problems.
Patients can expect to experience some side-effects after treatment, which typically includes, bruising, numbness, and swelling in the treated area. The swelling can last 1-2 weeks.
As with any other treatment, there are some potential risks with Kybella, but these are largely reduced when the drug is injected as prescribed by the manufacturer.
2. How to inject Kybella
Care should be taken to ensure that the injection is given at the correct depth, using the right volume of the drug. A trained injector will be able to determine how much Kybella needs to be injected below the chin to achieve the desired results. They will be able to estimate the number of treatments needed, so as to avoid injecting too much of the product.
3. Choosing the right candidate
Choosing the right patient for Kybella treatment is another important issue that affects safety. Kybella is not the best solution for everyone; therefore prospective patients must be properly assessed to confirm their suitability.
Kybella is intended for men and women with mild to moderate submental fat, and minimal skin laxity. Patients that have a lot of loose skin below the chin will see better results with a surgical procedure. In addition, Kybella is not recommended for obese patients that need to lose weight.
Candidates for Kybella should be otherwise healthy, and have realistic expectations about the results that can be achieved with Kybella.
Are you ready to slim your double chin?
Contact Laser Skin Care Center Dermatology Associates in Long Beach, CA to find out more about Kybella injections.
Call (562) 997-1144 today to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified dermatologists.
Joanna Chan, MD
@LSCCDermatology
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