Kybella
- Kybella is an injectable medication that has been approved for the treatment of submental fullness that leads to a double chin. As we age, changes occur in the neck and facial region. While the face will lose fat and bone as we age, the neck tends to gain fat.
“Outstanding care from Dr.Kulbersh and entire staff.”
Say Goodbye to Your Double Chin with Kybella
A well-defined and elegant jawline is a highly desired feature. An increase in fat in the neck region can blunt the neck and jawline and impact facial balance and harmony. Kybella is an exciting non-surgical treatment to improve definition and melt away the fat of a double chin. Our expert injectors, Heather Bryant MPAS, PA-C, Amanda Piligian, PA-C, and Courtney Whitley, FNP-C, have great insight into the art of facial rejuvenation with Kybella.
The top aesthetic destination of the south, Carolina Facial Plastics, is led by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh. With his team of cosmetic experts, a fully accredited surgery center, and a private recovery retreat all located in the heart of SouthPark, Carolina Facial Plastics is known for unparalleled and natural-looking results exclusively for the face.
What ingredient is in Kybella?
Kybella is a concentrated and injectable form of deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally-occurring bile acid that is produced by the liver and gallbladder that is secreted into the intestine, where it has many functions, including:
- Aids in the digestion of fat
- Aids in the absorption of vitamins
- Aids in the breakdown of cholesterol
- Functions as a hormone in the digestive system
The gallbladder is next to the liver, and it holds and secretes enzymes into the intestine to help with digestion. One of the substances that the gallbladder secretes is deoxycholic acid. While in the intestine, the deoxycholic acid helps break down and digest fat.
Visit fda.gov to learn more about the Kybella procedure.
Who is a good candidate for injectable double chin treatment in Charlotte?
Kybella is a great option for patients with submental fullness under the chin or fat deposits around the neck. At times, fullness in the chin and neck could be caused by other factors, including an enlarged thyroid or lymph nodes. Patients interested in Kybella must undergo a thorough physical examination of the neck region to ensure they are good candidates. Contact Carolina Facial Plastics today to schedule a consultation and examination.
How does Kybella erase a double chin?
Kybella essentially dissolves fat cells by interrupting their cellular membranes. The cellular membrane is what protects the fat cells from the surrounding environment. If the cellular membrane is disrupted, the cell will implode and die. The treated cells are gradually absorbed by the body, allowing the skin to contract and create a slimmer neck and jawline.
What can I expect during the treatment?
This injectable submental fat treatment is minimally invasive and typically takes a matter of minutes. Kybella is injected directly into the pre-platysmal fat or superficial fat of the neck using a superfine needle, which causes little if any discomfort. At times, ice packs or numbing cream may be used to improve patient comfort.
It is important to note that patients will require a series of Kybella treatments to achieve the best results. It is recommended that patients undergo a session every 4-6 weeks. Depending on the heaviness of the neck, most patients will require between 2-4 treatments.
What is the downtime or recovery after Kybella injections?
After treatment, patients will be able to return to their normal activities within one day. Patients may experience temporary soreness, bruising, firmness, lumps, bumps, or redness in the treatment area. In most cases, the area under the neck where Kybella was injected will be swollen for 2-3 days.
What treatments can be combined with Kybella?
There are instances where neck fullness can be attributed to both excess fat and a weak chin. In this situation, to get the best result, the chin must be augmented as well. The chin can be augmented non-surgically with fillers to the region or permanently with the placement of a chin implant.
Carolina Facial Plastics was founded and directed by Beverly Hills-trained, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh. We are one of the first practices to offer Kybella in North and South Carolina. If you are interested in learning more about treatment options for a double chin or turkey neck or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our office at (704) 842-3644 or fill out our online contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Are the neck and chin injections painful?
Before injecting the neck with Kybella, your injector will numb the treatment area. Patients will feel a few minor pricks and stings during this process, but it is very well tolerated. The overall pain level during each injection is relatively low.
What are the potential risks of fat dissolving treatments?
In all medical treatments, there are potential risks involved. Risks are minimized by proper patient selection and proper injection technique by a highly skilled and experienced facial plastic surgeon. The risks associated with Kybella injections included:
- Weakness or injury to the nerve that moves the lower lip. (This occurred in only 4% of the patients during the clinical trial. Among all of these patients, patients regained the nerve’s full functioning. It took an average of 44 days for the nerve to return to normal.)
- Difficulty swallowing. (This occurred in only 2% of patients during the clinical trials. It took an average of 3 days for swallowing to return to normal.)
You can significantly mitigate the risks associated with Kybella by selecting a board-certified injector who has extensive experience and training working with this injectable.
Who is not a candidate for Kybella treatments?
Kybella has shown to be less effective in patients with excess skin laxity (loose skin) or vertical banding (lines) around the neck. Additionally, patients who have undergone previous neck lift surgeries or operations on the neck or submental area may not be good candidates for Kybella. This would depend on the nature of the surgery and the current anatomy of the neck.
Other patients that would not be candidates for Kybella are:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Have a history of swallowing difficulty
- Have bleeding disorders
It is crucial to speak with one of our expert injectors to determine whether you are a candidate for this cutting-edge treatment.
Can Kybella be injected into other areas of the face and body?
At this time, Kybella is limited to injections only to the neck and submental area. There may be a time in the future when Kybella will be injected into other areas of the face and body to remove excess fat.
What is the cost of Kybella injections in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Kybella is priced by the vial. A patient will typically need between 1-3 vials a treatment and between 1 and 4 treatment sessions depending on the heaviness of the neck and the desired result. The price of a vial of Kybella in Charlotte varies from $700-$800 per vial. We can give you a more precise estimate of cost at your initial consultation.