If the first thing you notice when you look in the mirror is your double chin, it can be hard on your self-esteem. This is a problem for a lot of adults, and the fat that accumulates under our chins, also known as submental fullness, can be especially difficult to get rid of. If you’re struggling with a double chin, Kybella could be the answer. We offer this treatment here at the offices of Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA, and we’re ready to help you!
Discover Kybella
This Kybella treatment has been FDA approved since 2015. It is non-invasive and involves just a simple series of small injections. These injections send deoxycholic acid into the area, which breaks down the fat cells under the chin. This can give you a more contoured jawline so you look younger and thinner.
This treatment is a popular alternative to liposuction, because it’s simple, straightforward, and can be fit into any schedule with no need to plan for downtime. It’s easy to keep up your results with a healthy diet and exercise, and because this treatment works by naturally destroying the fat cells, which are then taken away by your body’s lymphatic system, the results develop gradually. This means your results are indistinguishable from natural weight loss as a result of lifestyle changes, meaning no one will know that you have had work done unless you choose to tell them.
How Deoxycholic Acid Works
Deoxycholic acid is found naturally in the human digestive system. Its role there is to break down dietary fat by destroying the cell membrane. Once the membrane of the fat cell is destroyed, the contents come out, and the body whisks it away naturally.
By injecting this same acid into targeted spots of the neck and chin, we can use it to do the same thing to your body fat as it does to the fat you ingest. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the cellular debris from the fat cells to be cleared from your body. Once it’s gone, you will notice your slimmer and healthier profile.
Causes of Double Chins
Double chins can be caused by the natural effects of aging, weight gain, and simply by genetics. Sometimes, a double chin is the result of sagging skin and not weight gain in the fat cells. If this is the case for you, another treatment might be the best option. However, most people have a double chin because of the accumulation of fat in the area.
This can happen as you gain weight throughout your body, or it can be the result of genetics. Our genes determine where we store our fat, and some people can be perfectly fit and trim and yet have a double chin because any fat they do accumulate is always sent there. If you are struggling to get rid of a double chin with diet and exercise, Kybella treatment can help.
How To Know If You Should Consider Kybella
Do you really need a Kybella treatment that will eliminate your double chin? A good way to answer this question is to take a look in the mirror. When you stand naturally, do you notice the pocket of fat under your chin? When you take pictures, do you typically change your stance to jut out your chin and hide the fat beneath it? Do you find yourself consistently unhappy with the way you look in photos, especially from the side?
If these things are true of you, you should come and talk to us about how this treatment could help you get rid of the unwanted fat that is causing you to feel self-conscious.
About Treatment
Consultation
The first step is to come to talk to us so that we can determine if you are a good candidate for treatment. We will examine your neck and chin, talk to you about your health, history, and current medication and supplement list, and let you know if this is the right treatment for you to accomplish your goals.
We can also give you an idea of how many treatments you will need to get rid of your double chin entirely and will give you all the information you need about what to do to prepare for treatment. This is also a great time to ask us all your questions.
Preparation
In contrast to an invasive procedure like liposuction, this treatment is very simple to prepare for. We may give you specific instructions that relate to your unique situation, but for most people, all they need to do is avoid medications and supplements that thin the blood. These include not only certain prescription medications but also some painkillers, like ibuprofen and aspirin, and herbal remedies such as St. John’s wort.
You will also have the best results if you drink plenty of water and keep your skin moisturized prior to treatment. On the day of your appointment, all you need to do is to clean the area thoroughly and avoid putting any products on it. Don’t put perfumes, moisturizers, body butter, lotions, makeup, or anything else in the treatment area.
Treatment
Before we begin, we may take pictures so that you can have a before-and-after view of your treatment. Then we will mark the injection sites to guide the injector during treatment. Then, we will offer you a topical anesthetic to keep you perfectly comfortable, and this will take 15 to 20 minutes to start working.
Once it does, we will use a very small needle to inject the treatment into your chin and neck. You may feel some pressure as this happens, but this is not a painful treatment. In most cases, we will inject around 15 to 25 spots in your target area. Kybella goes to work instantly, but you will not actually see the results for a little while. We will give you instructions to follow during the next few days, and then you can go right back to your daily schedule.
Recovery
In the first 24 hours, you may notice some swelling in the neck and chin area. This is a normal reaction as the deoxycholic acid gets to work and your body responds to it. Try to avoid anything that might irritate the area, such as excessive heat, clothing that touches the area, or makeup.
The swelling will go down steadily as your body naturally deals with the destroyed fat cells. About a month after treatment, you should be seeing your final results and a noticeable reduction in submental fullness. At that point, it may be time for your next treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
For most patients, two to five treatments are the right number to completely get rid of their submental fullness. You do need to allow somewhere between one and three months between each treatment, and we will talk to you about the best schedule for your needs. After each treatment, you will be able to compare your results with your before pictures to get a full idea of what’s happening.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of this treatment or permanent if you commit to maintaining them with a healthy lifestyle. Because the human body does not grow new fat cells in adulthood, the destroyed fat cells will never grow back. If you gain weight, the fat cells that are left in the area may continue to expand, giving you a double chin once again. However, in most cases, it would take significant weight gain for this to happen.
As we grow older, our skin begins to lose elasticity and thus sags. This is a normal process that comes with aging and cannot be fixed with a treatment like Kybella. However, there are other treatments that can deal with sagging skin, so talk to us about your options if this is a concern for you.
Am I a Good Candidate?
This treatment is appropriate for men and women and for nearly any age. If you have reached your target weight, or are fairly close to it, and are in good health, you are probably a good candidate for this treatment. If your double chin is primarily caused by skin laxity, this treatment may not be able to help. We will be able to recommend alternatives, however. This is a great treatment for anyone who wants similar results to liposuction, but without the pain, downtime, side effects, and restrictions that come with a surgery.
Learn More Today
If you’re tired of having a double chin and find that diet and exercise are not working to get rid of it, contact us at the offices of Ingrid E. Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA to learn more.
