Most of us develop submental fullness at some point in our life. Often, it is a result of advanced age, but it can also be caused by unfortunate body fat distribution or excessive weight. At Le Reve Skincare & Laser Center in Fort Worth, TX, we have a safe, effective solution for submental fullness, Kybella. Today, we’re taking a closer look at this treatment, including how effective it really is.
How Much Fat Does Kybella Remove?
On average, a single treatment session removes 25% of the fat cells in the submental region. However, you may find that you lose 20 or 30% of your localized fat cells depending on how much subcutaneous fat you have in the area.
The Causes of Submental Fullness
Submental fullness, sometimes referred to as a double chin, is usually caused by a large deposit of excess fat beneath the jawline. However, the appearance of a double chin can also be caused by loose, sagging skin.
Due to the slowdown in collagen and elastin production that starts around the age of 25, most people find that they are dissatisfied with their profile by the time they reach the age of 41. This is because collagen and elastin production never increases without professional intervention.
How This Treatment Works
In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this fat removal injectable for both safety and efficacy. It is incredibly safe because it comprises a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid that is bioidentical to the deoxycholic acid that your gut produces naturally. In other words, your body won’t be able to tell that it was injected with a foreign chemical compound.
It is effective enough to earn FDA approval because deoxycholic acid’s job is to destroy fat cells. The acid in your gut breaks down dietary fat cells. However, when this synthetic acid is injected into your chin and neck, it destroys your body’s fat cells in the area. Once the fat cells are destroyed, your lymphatic system treats them like all of the other waste in your body, sweeping them up and flushing them out.
Benefits of Kybella Injections
Among the benefits of this injectable fat removal treatment are its safety, convenience, and results. Here’s a closer look at some of the most compelling benefits of receiving deoxycholic acid injections.
Safe, Non-Invasive Fat Removal Method
Since this fat removal treatment essentially features an acid that your gut produces naturally, you don’t need to worry about nasty side effects after your treatment. You also don’t need to worry about any negative reactions during your treatment, such as an allergic reaction. Also, even if you’re a little wary of needles, you can take comfort in knowing that you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during your treatment.
We use a fine-gauge needle to administer the acid so you will only feel a little pressure as the acid is being administered. Additionally, you don’t have to feel anything at all if you don’t want to. Let us know about your personal preference during your initial consultation, and we can apply a topical numbing cream to your skin before your injections commence.
Convenience
The convenience of this fat removal technique is another incredibly compelling benefit. Depending on how many injections need to be administered, your treatment can be completed in just 30 minutes. However, your injection session may take closer to 45 minutes if you need your skin numbed before your injections are administered. It takes a while for the topical anesthetic to take effect.
Note, even if you have your skin numbed before your treatment session, you are free to drive after your appointment. People often schedule this short fat removal treatment on their lunch break and take no time off from work.
Results
The results of this treatment are yet another incredible benefit. Adults can’t grow new fat cells, so there will never be as many fat cells in your treatment area once your injections are administered. Therefore, your results are considered permanent. However, you should keep in mind that if you have one treatment session, between 70 and 80% of the fat cells in your submental region will remain.
Thus, if you gain weight after your treatment, you may experience submental fullness again. That said, your submental region cannot fill out as much as it did before your session due to a large portion of the fat cells being eliminated.
Do I Qualify for This Treatment?
Are you intrigued by the benefits of deoxycholic acid injections? If so, you’re probably wondering whether you qualify for this treatment. Typically, if you have tried to lead a healthy lifestyle, but you can’t budge your submental fullness, there is a good chance that you will be considered a good candidate for this fat removal treatment. However, you need to come in for an initial consultation to determine definitively whether Kybella is appropriate for you.
We will evaluate your submental region to ensure that deoxycholic acid injections can provide you with the results you are looking for. Then, we will discuss your health history to ensure that you are healthy enough to receive this treatment. If deoxycholic acid injections are a good fit for you, we will advise you on how many injections you will need per session, how long your sessions should take, and how many sessions you should need.
How Quickly This Treatment Works
This treatment works very quickly. The deoxycholic acid kills the fat cells in the treatment area almost as soon as contact is made. However, it can take anywhere from four to six weeks for your lymphatic system to finish flushing out all of the dead fat cells.
How to Prepare for Your Treatment
During your initial consultation, if we determine you are a good fit for deoxycholic acid injections, we will advise you on how to prepare for your treatment. One of the most important preparation steps you must take in advance of your treatment is not taking any drugs or supplements that can thin your blood. However, you should not change your drug and supplement routine without first consulting your primary care physician. Let us know if your doctor tells you that you can’t stop taking blood thinners. Other things you need to do to prepare for your treatment include:
- Not smoking
- Not drinking alcohol
- Wearing sunscreen
- Staying hydrated
What To Expect During the Injection Session
Ideally, you should arrive for your appointment with a bare face. However, if you feel the need to wear makeup to your appointment, we will remove it and clean your skin thoroughly before your injections are administered. To reiterate, we are more than happy to apply a topical numbing cream to your skin prior to your treatment, but this may add around 15 minutes to your appointment time.
Once your skin is prepared for your injections, we will administer between 10 and 25 injections per area of concern. If you are only concerned about excess chin fat, you will only need 10 to 25 injections. If you are concerned about chin and neck fat, you will receive a total of 20 to 50 injections. Once we have administered the injections, we will discuss your aftercare steps with you, and then you may return to work or run any errands you may have.
How To Care for Yourself After Your Treatment
After your treatment, it is crucial that you protect your skin from the sun for 24 hours. Also, it is very important that you do not wear any cosmetics for 24 hours following your treatment. Additionally, you should avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption following your injection session.
Finally, it is highly advisable to drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods in the weeks following your injection session. This will speed up your final results because it will boost the efficiency of your lymphatic system.
Restore Your Slim, Attractive Profile Today
Submental fullness is a considerably common condition. However, there is no need to live with your new profile. With Kybella injections, you can quickly eliminate roughly one quarter of the fat in your submental region.
To find out how many treatments you will need to sculpt your desired profile, contact us today at Le Reve Skincare & Laser Center in Fort Worth, TX to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to help you achieve a profile you can be proud of so you can put your best face forward every day for the rest of your life.
