When you think of the word double, most the time the references are sort of cool: stunt doubles, double dates, doubling down in blackjack, a double in baseball, or “making it a double”.
What about the “double chin”? Submental fullness is the clinical term for “double chin.”
Now there is an FDA-approved method of minimally invasive reduction of the unwanted chin fat: Kybella.
Now that has changed with Kybella®, an injectable that is derived actually from bile acids that destroys fat cells. This is available from Dr. Walden’s office and is a relatively quick procedure with minimal swelling. Kybella® is the brand name for an injection formulated with deoxycholic acid that improves the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the proverbial “double chin” with about 3 injections spaced about a month apart.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery conducted a survey in 2015 and found that 67% of people said they’re bothered by a double chin. And people in the survey were equally bothered by their double chin as they were about wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Aging and sagging skin go together like Kim Kardashian and Twitter. There are a variety of factors that play a part: the pull of gravity, simple intrinsic aging (where decreasing production of collagen means the skin has less underlying support), genetics (some people simply have looser skin below the jawline), and weight loss. All of these factors cause our skin to droop. Facelift and necklift surgery can improve this, not necessarily Kybella. Suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction) improves submental fat as well, with a singular operative procedure using small cannulas to restore the jaw and neckline.
Kybella® is an option for those who do not want surgery
In April of last year the FDA approved Kybella®, the only injectable treatment to improve the appearance and profile of a double chin.
The basis of Kybella® is deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body whose job is to aid in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, Kybella® (and its deoxycholic acid) destroys the fat cells. After those cells are gone, there is no longer a storage mechanism to accumulate fat in the area. So your double chin shouldn’t return!
Multiple treatments yield the best results
Dr. Walden customizes her Kybella® treatments for every patient. Some patients see the results they want after two to four treatments. The number of treatments will depend on the amount of fat stored under your chin, along with your desired final profile. Each treatment is spaced four weeks apart.
Kybella® has minimal side effects and requires no recovery time. As with any injection, there can be some swelling and firmness at the injection sites, but that passes after about a week.
Because Kybella® destroys the fat cells, results are permanent. However, if you gain weight, submental fat can return.
Call us at 512.328.4100 and ask us about Kybella® if you are interested in this new treatment.
