KYBELLA’s long-anticipated arrival on the aesthetic market a few years ago was greeted with enthusiasm by women and men who wanted to reduce their double chins without undergoing surgery. That excitement continues to grow as KYBELLA treatments at our Tucson dermatology practice become even more popular. KYBELLA is especially popular with busy, on-the-go people who want a treatment that requires little to no downtime.

Winter is an ideal time to get KYBELLA injections because swelling of the neck is a fairly common side effect of this treatment. Even though winters don’t get too chilly here, the cooler weather helps people feel comfortable wearing scarves or turtlenecks to cover up any swelling after receiving KYBELLA injections. In this blog post, we’ll explain why people concerned about the appearance of a double chin choose KYBELLA instead of neck liposuction and describe what to expect.

KYBELLA vs. Liposuction

Concern about excess neck fat is one of the most common aesthetic complaints shared by both women and men. Double chins can be particularly frustrating for people in good overall shape. Genetics often play a role in the appearance of a double chin, rather than being overweight. KYBELLA is the preferred option for treating this condition for a number of reasons, including:

  • KYBELLA, unlike neck liposuction, is a nonsurgical treatment. There is minimal downtime required after your treatment, compared to the week to 10 days needed to recover from liposuction.
  • Treatments are typically rather quick. KYBELLA injections take about 30 minutes. Neck liposuction surgical procedures can last 2 hours or more.
  • Results appear gradually. This is a welcome benefit for people who don’t want take time off from work or answer uncomfortable questions about sudden changes in their appearances.

Choosing KYBELLA

KYBELLA works because it’s made using an active ingredient called deoxycholic acid, a chemical that’s found naturally in the body. This chemical is a key component in the natural process of breaking down dietary fats. When injected into the fat below the chin, deoxycholic acid attacks fat cells and breaks them down. The body then gradually metabolizes and filters the cells from the body through the natural elimination process. One tradeoff patients make when they choose KYBELLA is the potential need for multiple treatment sessions to achieve their desired results. Liposuction, on the other hand, is completed during a single operation and produces more immediate results.

When first introduced, the guidelines for KYBELLA indicated that up to 6 treatment sessions could be needed. Our experience shows that we can get the desired results after 3 or 4 sessions, which are spaced at least a month apart. It’s important to note that fat cells destroyed by KYBELLA are gone for good and aren’t replaced by new fat cells in the neck.

If you want to learn about how KYBELLA can create the well-defined neck and more prominent chin that you want, contact us using the online form to request a cosmetic consultation or call our office at (520) 797-8885 to schedule an appointment.