Eight out of ten Americans report they are distressed by their double chins, also called submental fullness. Many times, people associate a double chin with weight gain, but the fact is that many patients with double chins are at a healthy weight and often have family members with double chins.

What causes a double chin?

• Weight gain, though losing weight will not assure elimination of a double chin.
• Double chins run in families.
• Aging due to a loss of muscle mass and lax skin tone.

Until the development of injectable Kybella®, the only options to treat a double chin were liposuction, a neck lift, and laser treatments. With Kybella, your double chin can be removed in a few office visits.  However, Kybella treatments do not remove excess or lax skin.

What is Kybella?

Kybella is the first and only FDA approved nonsurgical treatment that destroys fat cells under the chin to improve your profile.  It is most effective for moderate to severe submental fat. The active ingredient is Deoxycholic Acid which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps breakdown fats.

Removal of excess submental fat will enhance the appearance of the aging neck and improve chin and jawline contours. Once the fatty deposits are destroyed, they are permanently gone. The treated fat is removed from the body naturally.

During your consultation, Dr. Farhang will evaluate your skin and determine whether you are a good candidate. Patient must be 18 years old or older. She will review your medical history, discuss your aesthetic goals, and review the risks and benefits of treatment.  People with skin infections, difficulty swallowing, excess skin laxity or prominent neck muscle bands, and those who have had previous neck surgery with scar tissue may not be good candidates. If you are planning to have facial surgery, Dr. Farhang may suggest you wait to see those results.

Dr. Farhang will determine the number of treatments you will need and design a treatment plan to achieve your goals. The number of treatments varies for each patient. Many patients see visible results with 2-3 treatments, but some people see results with one treatment!

Results are not immediate. It will take time to see results as Kybella works to gradually destroy the fat cells. Dr. Farhang will evaluate results at your next treatment appointment. When the desired aesthetic effect has been achieved, no further treatment is necessary.

What is the procedure?

The areas to be treated will be cleaned. Dr. Farhang will mark the injection points with a surgical pen. A topical numbing cream, icing or injection of local anesthetic may be used.

Dr. Farhang will administer small amounts of Kybella at the injection points. The entire procedure will last 15-20 minutes. After treatment you will be advised to apply ice or a cold pack to the treated areas for 10-15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.

Common side effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness, redness and areas of hardness. Swelling and bruising can last a week. You should avoid heavy physical exercise the day of the treatment, and do not rub or massage the area. A day after treatment you can resume your usual routine and commitments.

At Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson, AZ, Dr. Sheila Farhang offer comprehensive cosmetic and medical dermatological care and the most advanced treatments and procedures with an emphasis on safety and superior results. When you are ready to get rid of your double chin without surgery or downtime, call Dr. Farhang to schedule a consultation.