Let’s face it – a double chin isn’t something that can be hidden by a hairstyle or clever fashion choices. If you have excess unwanted submental fat, then you should know that you don’t have to find a way to live with a double chin. At Premiere Aesthetics in Fort Myers, FL, we understand that Kybella is the most effective non-surgical treatment for eliminating double chins.

How Long Does Kybella Last?

Kybella is a treatment that is designed to produce long-lasting results. For most people who seek this treatment, the results should last for several years, and sometimes even a lifetime. This is partially due to the way that the active ingredient of this treatment, deoxycholic acid, interacts with fat cells in the body, and partially because of the way fat cells in the body behave.

Why Does This Treatment Last So Long?

Fat cells behave unlike any other cell in the body. While skin cells can regenerate with enough regularity that they have a skin cell turnover cycle, fat cells are less predictable. In fact, fat cells can’t regenerate at all.

Each of us is born with a predetermined amount of fat cells in our body, and the way those fat cells store and use fat is also determined by genetics. Unlike skin cells, once fat cells are destroyed, there is no way for fat cells to grow or reform. Once the deoxycholic acid in this injectable treatment destroys fat cells in injected areas, those fat cells will be eliminated for good, which means you should be able to enjoy permanent results.

Can Double Chins Reappear?

However, while the results of this treatment should be permanent, you should know that there is always the small possibilities that a double chin can reappear. This fat elimination treatment will only destroy fat cells that are directly exposed to deoxycholic acid, which means that fat cells that are not exposed to the injectable formula will still be healthy and active in the body.

Although you will have fewer fat cells, you can still regain a double chin if your remaining fat cells expand to store more fat. A double chin may reappear on a patient who is not vigilant about maintaining a healthy weight.

How Can You Maintain Your Results?

Maintaining your results is absolutely essential to enjoying your results for several years, or even a lifetime. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your results will last for as long as possible, such as:

Weight Management

If you are able to maintain your current body weight or even lose weight after your treatment, you will be able to enjoy your results for a longer period of time. Weight management means you are staying within 10 pounds of your current weight and not gaining more than 10 pounds.

Many people don’t realize that it’s normal for your baseline body weight to fluctuate a few pounds every day due to water retention, the weight of the food you are eating, how active you are, and even the time of day you weigh yourself. It’s normal for your body weight to go up or down by two to five pounds from day to day, which is why you will want to watch out for weight gain of 10 pounds or more.

Medication Management

You may also need to manage your medication to a certain extent. Depending on your medication and why you are taking the medication, you may want to change dosages or medication types to avoid any side effects that include weight gain.

Because some medications interfere with hormonal and nerve transmission, it can be common for those who are taking certain prescription medications to experience weight gain while on certain medications. Your regular provider may be able to guide you toward alternate medications to avoid weight gain.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

You will also need to make healthy lifestyle choices. For example, eating diets high in fat, salt, and sugar will make it easier to gain weight. Drinking a lot of alcohol and smoking tobacco products will also make it easier to gain weight. It’s best if you can eat whole foods, such as whole grains and raw fruits or vegetables, as well as foods that are rich in dietary fiber. Avoiding processed foods or foods with added sugars will help you prevent any excess storage of fat in your remaining fat cells.  

It’s also important that you are doing enough exercise activities each day. Most adults can manage weight and health by participating in light to moderate cardiovascular activity for at least 30 minutes a day. Some good cardiovascular exercises that are ideal for managing weight include walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, and cycling. Getting enough exercise will help keep your metabolism high and make it more difficult to store any fat from your food.

What Else Do You Need to Know About This Treatment?

Overall, this non-surgical treatment is much more simple and often more effective than surgical treatment methods, such as liposuction for the neck of neck lifts. But if this is your first time using an injectable treatment such as this one, then there are a few things you will need to know about your treatment.

How Your Treatment Works

Kybella is a minimally-invasive treatment that is administered via a thin needle. The treatment will involve several small injections made on targeted areas of your neck where you have excess submental fat. Your treatment appointments will be between 20 and 30 minutes long and will likely involve the use of a topical numbing cream to ensure your comfort during the treatment.

The key to your treatment is the active ingredient in this injection is deoxycholic acid, a natural acid in the body that helps convert fat into energy. The synthetic deoxycholic acid used for your treatment will mimic the effects of the natural acid and help target the breakdown of fat cells that come into contact with the acid. Over time, this means your body will naturally eliminate excess fat through normal metabolic processes.

Treatment Appointment Preparation

Before your treatment appointment, it’s important that you avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements like Aspirin and St. John’s Wort for at least five to seven days, as these supplements may cause bruising and swelling during your treatment. You should also make sure that your targeted treatment area is shaved for at least one to three days before your treatment appointment. You will also need to reschedule your appointment if you have an active cold sore or fever blister.

Some patients choose to use Arnica Montana products for a few days before their treatment to minimize the risk of swelling and bruising. An oral tablet such as SinEcch may make your recovery time shorter after your treatment. You may also want to use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol, about 1 hour before your appointment.

Treatment Appointment Aftercare

After your treatment, it’s important to keep the swelling and water retention in your body as low as you can. This means you will need to avoid eating foods that are high in salt and that you will need to drink an adequate amount of water for three to five days after your treatment. During your first week after your appointment, you will also need to avoid hot water, sun exposure, and excessive sweating.

When You Can See Results

It will take some time for the results of your treatment to be visible. Most patients will require at least four to six months after their first treatment to see the most visible results of the treatment. However, those who have less submental fat may see their results sooner than those who have more pronounced double chins.

How Many Treatments You Will Need

You will not be able to achieve your goal results in one treatment, which means you will likely require between three and six treatments for optimal results. The number of treatments you will need will be determined by the severity of your submental fat, your age, and how well you respond to the treatment. The number of treatments may also be determined by your gender.

How Many Vials You Will Need

The number of vials required for each of your treatments will depend on both the severity of your condition and your gender. Women usually require one to two vials per treatment appointment, while men typically require two or three vials. It may also be the case that your later appointments will require fewer vials, particularly if you are showing results sooner than anticipated.

How Much the Treatment Will Cost

The cost of your treatment is determined by how many vials are used for each of your treatment appointments. One vial of Kybella usually costs $600, which means the cost of a single treatment appointment may cost between $1,200 and $1,800.

Benefits of the Treatment

There are quite a few benefits to this treatment. For example, the longevity of this treatment is attractive to many patients, and so are the non-invasive and non-surgical techniques used. In fact, many patients prefer to use non-surgical treatments such as this one before considering cosmetic surgery interventions like liposuction.

Another attractive benefit of this treatment is the fact that the results will look natural. This injectable treatment will eliminate fat in an even, smooth, and regular manner, which will create a slimmer and sharper end result.

Combining the Treatment

Some patients may prefer to combine different cosmetic treatments to achieve their results, particularly if you have other concerns to address. For example, some people with double chins may also have skin laxity on the neck. While this treatment can tighten loose skin on the neck by a little bit, some patients may require skin tightening treatments, such as Ultherapy or laser treatments, to achieve their appearance-related goals.

Who Ideal Candidates Are

Candidates for this treatment include those who do not want to undergo invasive cosmetic surgery, those who are not satisfied with their appearance, and those who feel that the presence of a double chin makes them look older or heavier than they are. It’s ideal if candidates are already at their goal weight and are capable of maintaining a healthy weight.

Eliminate Double Chin With Kybella

A double chin doesn’t have to weigh you down forever. The right cosmetic treatment can eliminate submental fullness and help you look younger, slimmer, and healthier. If you think that Kybella treatments are a good fit for your needs, please contact Premiere Aesthetics in Fort Myers, FL to schedule your consultation today!