The first injectable substance that the FDA has approved to treat submental fat, Kybella is designed to dissolve stubborn under-the-chin fat. Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a fat-absorbing substance found in our bodies naturally. When injected, it destroys fat cells under the chin, leaving the skin substantially tighter and the jaw more contoured.
More than 20 studies, with thousands of patients, have showed that almost 70 percent noted both physical and emotional improvement after treatment. “It disrupts the fat cell,” said Dr. Derek Jones, who gave Kythera’s presentation to the FDA in March. “When it disappears, it disappears permanently.”
For best results, patients should commit to about two to six treatments. Side effects include bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Each treatment session should be spaced no less than 1 month apart. The number of injections and the number of treatments is tailored to the individual patient’s submental fat distribution and treatment goals.
