Non-Surgical Injectables Kybella®

Sometimes, fat accumulates in troublesome areas that are impossible to target with exercise, such as under the chin. Submental fat, more often called a double chin, is a common concern for many people, even those at a healthy weight. What if you could get rid of a double chin with a simple injectable treatment? With Kybella® treatments at the Langdon Center, you can.

What is Kybella®?

Kybella® is an FDA-approved injectable treatment to reduce a double chin. Because submental fat is difficult to target and can occur even at your ideal weight, many people seek treatments to help slim their neck and jawline. While body contouring treatments like liposuction or CoolSculpting® can also reduce submental fat, Kybella® offers the convenience of a simple injection procedure with no downtime.

The active ingredient in Kybella® is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which occurs naturally in your body. Deoxycholic acid is a bile component in your gut that helps break down fat. When Kybella® is injected under the chin, this bile acid dissolves the unwanted fat cells there. Although clinical trials of Kybella® to treat other body areas are currently underway, Kybella® injections are not yet approved to treat fat in other areas of the body.

Kybella can be used to:

  • Reduce fat under the chin (double chin)
  • Reduce neck fat
  • Create a more defined jawline
Kybella® Guilford

Frequently Asked Questions

Kybella’s main ingredient, deoxycholic acid, eats away at fat cells to effectively dissolve them. Your body’s metabolic processes remove remnants of the fat cells over the next few weeks, resulting in a noticeable decrease in submental fat.

Dr. Robert Langdon or our aesthetic specialist, Maria Koursaris, DPN, will administer Kybella® injections for patients who wish to improve the appearance of excess fat underneath their chin and jawline. The injections are administered with a very fine needle and take just minutes to complete. If you’re concerned about discomfort, we can apply a topical numbing cream first. You can easily have Kybella® injections on a lunch break in less than an hour.

What makes Kybella® a popular alternative to body contouring treatments for submental fat is its convenience. After your quick injection appointment, you can return to your regular activities immediately. You may have a slight burning sensation briefly after the injections, which can be managed with an ice pack.

Although no downtime is required after Kybella®, you may have some visible swelling and bruising for a few days. Some patients choose to take a day or two off for the treatment. However, occasionally, patients have more significant swelling that lasts longer, so we don’t recommend having Kybella® right before a big event.

It takes some time for the deoxycholic acid in Kybella® to break down the targeted fat cells. Additionally, swelling may obscure your initial results. Most patients see noticeable results a few weeks after their second treatment. We typically recommend at least two treatments and some patients need more for optimal results. These sessions should be spaced eight weeks apart.

Once the deoxycholic acid dissolves submental fat cells, they’re gone for good. Kybella® results are typically permanent. The removed fat cells can’t come back, but the remaining fat cells in the area can expand if you gain weight. That’s why a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a stable weight are essential for long-lasting benefits from Kybella®.

Most people who want a convenient treatment for a double chin are eligible for Kybella®. For the treatment to be effective and long-lasting, you should already follow a healthy lifestyle and be committed to maintaining your results. Ideal candidates are healthy adults with good skin elasticity. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have certain medical conditions, we may not recommend Kybella®.

Depending on your needs and condition, Dr. Langdon can also discuss alternative treatments with you, such as CoolSculpting®, liposuction, or a neck lift. He will evaluate your concerns and discuss your goals during a detailed consultation to help you choose the best treatment.

Take the next step.

To learn more about Kybella® or to schedule your consultation with Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Langdon, please fill out the form on this page or call The Langdon Center at (203) 453-8625. We look forward to working with you! The Langdon Center serves patients in the Guilford & New Haven, CT areas.