For years, the only two ways to get rid of the unsightly double chin was to either exercise and burn the fat off, or get liposuction procedure done by a cosmetic surgeon. While everybody should exercise, regardless of how many chins they have, it can take a long time to get the desired results. The other method, liposuction, is a minimally invasive procedure that requires the surgeon to literally suck the fat out from your chin. This is a safe procedure, but still requires local anesthetic and an incision.

Now, patients have another option to get rid of their double chin. The FDA has approved a drug called Kybella (deoxycholic acid) that is used to get rid of chin fat. Deoxycholic acid is produced naturally in the body and is helps absorb fat. When injected, Kybella destroys the cell membranes, destroying the fat cells. However, it can also destroy skin and other cells, so a licensed cosmetic surgeon must administer it to achieve safe results.

A single treatment of Kybella may include up to 50 injections into the chin fat, with up to six treatments spaced more than one month apart. Like any other treatment, Kybella does come with side effects. These side effects include bruising, numbing, swelling, pain and redness. They should go away over time.

Kybella also has its risks. The most common risks associated with this treatment is nerve injury in the jaw, which can cause everything from muscle weakness to an uneven smile. This makes it even more important to have a board certified cosmetic surgeon perform this procedure.

Because Kybella is new, the FDA strongly recommends this injection only be used for reducing chin fat. Using it in other parts of the body may cause serious side effects.

If you have a double chin and want to improve the way you look, Kybella might be right for you. Call us for a free consultation today and one of our board certified cosmetic surgeons can help you decide the best procedure to make your double chin disappear.