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Kybella in Santa Cruz, CA

Submental fullness, commonly known as a “double chin,” can be an aesthetic concern for many individuals. An excess of fat under the chin can make us appear heavier, older, or simply not as defined as we would like. If you’re looking to reduce submental fullness for a slimmer profile, Kybella injections may be the ideal solution. We will explore the causes of submental fullness, how Kybella works, its effectiveness and benefits, address concerns, and highlight the expertise of RSMD Medical Aesthetics by Rebecca Small, MD in providing natural-looking results.

Kybella in Santa Cruz, CA

What Causes a Double Chin?

Submental fullness, or double chin, is caused by an excess of fat cells and loose skin in the area under the chin and along the jawline. Genetics, aging, weight gain or fluctuations, and loss of skin elasticity all contribute to submental fullness. As we get older, fat cells can accumulate in this area, while collagen and elastin production decline, causing the skin to lose elasticity. Even individuals who are not overweight can develop submental fullness due to genetic predispositions.

How Does Kybella Work?

Kybella is an injectable product designed for the treatment of submental fullness, to reduce fat under the chin and produce a slimmer facial profile. Kybella is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment that is specifically designed to target and destroy fat cells under the chin. This is possible with deoxycholic acid, the main active ingredient in the Kybella formula. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring ingredient that helps the body break down and absorb fat cells. When injected into the area under the chin, the Kybella formula eliminates fat cells to reduce submental fullness. This process permanently destroys the fat cells, which leaves them unable to store or accumulate fat in the future. Therefore, Kybella is able to deliver long-lasting results without requiring long-term treatment plans or touch-up sessions.

Is Kybella Effective?

Clinical studies have shown that Kybella effectively reduces submental fat and achieves noticeable improvements in chin profile. In clinical studies, 79% of Kybella patients reported satisfaction with the appearance of the area beneath their chin 12 weeks after their last treatment.

Kybella vs. CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction

Kybella is a non-surgical treatment option for submental fullness, making it one of the most popular choices for patients who are interested in reducing the appearance of a double chin. Still, many prospective patients are curious how it compares to CoolSculpting, another non-surgical treatment option with the ability to remove stubborn fat under the chin. Furthermore, you may be wondering how the efficacy of these treatments compares to surgical procedures like liposuction. There are advantages and disadvantages to all of these treatments that are worth considering:

Kybella vs. CoolSculpting

Both Kybella and CoolSculpting are non-surgical treatments that destroy fat cells under the chin. Kybella is an injectable treatment that utilizes deoxycholic acid to break down fat cells, while CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis (cold temperature) to freeze and eliminate them. Kybella requires multiple in-office treatment sessions and has brief downtime after each appointment. CoolSculpting is a “one and done” treatment for most patients, with no downtime. However, CoolSculpting results take 2-4 months to become visible. Kybella tends to produce more noticeable skin tightening and contouring compared to CoolSculpting. But Kybella also has more common side effects like swelling, bruising, and numbness from the injections.

Kybella vs. Lipo

The biggest advantage of Kybella over liposuction is being a non-surgical procedure. Kybella requires no anesthetic and has no incisions or surgery involved. There is minimal discomfort and faster recovery with Kybella. However, liposuction provides immediate and often more dramatic fat reduction because it directly removes fat cells, compared to the gradual cell destruction approach of Kybella injections over several weeks. The skin tightening effects of liposuction are typically superior as well. However, liposuction does carry more risks like scarring, bleeding, infection, and asymmetry from the surgical procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kybella Right for Me?

If you are unhappy with fat under the chin, also known as a double chin, you may be a good candidate for Kybella treatments. Furthermore, you may want to consider Kybella if:

  • You don’t want to have surgery
  • Submental fullness is making you look older or heavier than you are
  • Submental fullness does not go away with diet and exercise

At RSMD Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Small will evaluate your submental area during a consultation, assessing your anatomy and skin laxity. With her expertise, she can help you evaluate whether Kybella is a good treatment option for you. If Kybella is a good fit, Dr. Small will develop a customized Kybella treatment plan to produce your desired goals.

What is a Kybella Treatment Like?

Kybella treatments are performed via injection during brief, in-office appointments. Before administering the injections, we’ll provide you with a numbing cream that should be applied 45 minutes to 1 hour before your scheduled appointment time. Once you arrive for your appointment, we’ll mark the skin in the treatment area with the targeted injection sites. Then, we’ll administer Kybella injections to the targeted areas. The number and volume of these injections will vary by patient, as we adjust the treatment to the amount of fat you have under your chin. The injection process should not be painful, as the numbing cream eliminates most of the discomfort associated with the injections. However, you may feel some discomfort as the Kybella formula begins to take effect, which typically happens about halfway through the procedure. After the injections are complete, we’ll apply ice to the treatment area to reduce swelling and discomfort.

How Long Does Kybella Swelling Last? Are There Other Side Effects?

Swelling is the most common side effect after Kybella treatments. The severity of the swelling typically peaks about 24 hours after treatment, and will then gradually improve over the following weeks. This swelling can last anywhere from one to four weeks, with most patients noticing a complete dissipation in swelling in approximately two weeks. Other Kybella side effects can include bruising, numbness, redness, or hardness in the treatment area, which typically resolve within a few days. When performed by an experienced injector like Dr. Small, Kybella treatments are well-tolerated with minimal side effects.

How Long Does Kybella Last? Is Kybella Permanent?

Kybella will begin working immediately upon injection, but it can take up to a month before you start noticing results in the treatment area. Results may continue to improve for up to 3 months after your treatment, and in some cases, multiple treatment sessions will be necessary for best results. We may recommend between 1 and 6 treatment sessions to produce your desired results, with each treatment performed approximately one month apart.

Once you begin noticing results, you can expect your Kybella results to be permanent. This is because the Kybella formula permanently destroys the fat cells under the chin. Once eliminated, these fat cells will not grow back. They will no longer be able to store or accumulate fat cells. However, if you gain significant weight later in life or have other lifestyle changes, you may accumulate fat in surrounding areas under the chin. For these reasons, patients are encouraged to maintain their weight through healthy diet and exercise habits to extend their results as long as possible.

How Much Does Kybella Cost?

At RSMD, we have implemented a fixed pricing model for all of our injectable procedures. Unlike many other med spas and aesthetic providers who price injectables by product, we believe that paying for aesthetic procedures by the amount or type of product used is not an accurate reflection of the provider’s skill, knowledge, and training. Our pricing system ensures that the focus is on achieving the best outcome possible for our patients without any surprises. We establish the procedure costs upfront, so you know exactly what to expect before we even start. This means you can expect upfront pricing for your Kybella procedure regardless of how many treatment sessions or individual injections you need.

At RSMD, our fixed pricing model includes several extras that very few providers have the confidence to include with their injection procedures, maximizing your outcome and maintaining longer-term patient satisfaction. We offer complimentary two-week follow-ups to check your results. We also provide specialized camouflaging makeup to minimize the impact of any bruising that may occur after your appointment. In some cases, we even provide complementary laser treatments that significantly shorten the appearance of a bruise. 

At RSMD, we believe that fixed pricing is the best way to focus on the best possible patient aesthetic outcomes. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to our patients and achieving the best possible results.

How Much Does Kybella Cost?

At RSMD, we have implemented a fixed pricing model for all of our injectable procedures. Unlike many other med spas and aesthetic providers who price injectables by product, we believe that paying for aesthetic procedures by the amount or type of product used is not an accurate reflection of the provider’s skill, knowledge, and training. Our pricing system ensures that the focus is on achieving the best outcome possible for our patients without any surprises. We establish the procedure costs upfront, so you know exactly what to expect before we even start. This means you can expect upfront pricing for your Kybella procedure regardless of how many treatment sessions or individual injections you need.

At RSMD, our fixed pricing model includes several extras that very few providers have the confidence to include with their injection procedures, maximizing your outcome and maintaining longer-term patient satisfaction. We offer complimentary two-week follow-ups to check your results. We also provide specialized camouflaging makeup to minimize the impact of any bruising that may occur after your appointment. In some cases, we even provide complementary laser treatments that significantly shorten the appearance of a bruise. 

At RSMD, we believe that fixed pricing is the best way to focus on the best possible patient aesthetic outcomes. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to our patients and achieving the best possible results.

Why Choose RSMD for Kybella Treatments?

Rebecca Small, MD is a leading authority in non-surgical medical aesthetics and can help you achieve an improved facial profile with Kybella. She has refined her injection technique over decades of experience, ensuring precise placement and even distribution for optimal results. Dr. Small customizes Kybella treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique goals and needs for submental fat reduction.

At RSMD Medical Aesthetics, every aspect of your experience will be overseen by Dr. Small to ensure exceptional care and natural-looking outcomes. With an artistic eye, technical expertise, and keen understanding of facial anatomy, Dr. Small creates balanced, harmonious results that enhance your natural beauty.

We invite you to schedule a Kybella consultation and take the first step towards the slim, sculpted chin profile you desire. Call today and discover why patients trust RSMD for their cosmetic goals.