A double chin, also called submental fullness, is a problem for countless Americans. Many people believe that it is caused by excess weight, and while this is often the case, genetic factors and aging can also contribute to the issue. Here at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa in Bay Harbor Islands, FL, we offer a highly effective and minimally invasive double chin treatment called Kybella.
This injection can permanently melt away the fat cells under your chin and therefore allow you to enjoy your youthful, naturally beautiful profile once again. Because the treatment is considered safe and doesn’t require general anesthesia, patients don’t have to stay at the clinic overnight or spend a lot of time recovering. Instead, they can resume their regular activities and enjoy their results right away. Read on to discover whether double chin treatment is for you.
How Does Kybella Help Patients Get Rid of a Double Chin?
If you’ve been worried about your double chin for a while and you’re not sure how to get rid of it, you shouldn’t hesitate to speak to your providers at the clinic. We can determine whether our method is right for you and, if so, book you in for a session. The active ingredient in the treatment is called deoxycholic acid, and it is one of your secondary bile acids in the stomach.
When administered to the treatment area, the acid melts away the fat cells and changes the shape of the patient’s profile. Although the treatment is considered permanent, you’ll have to monitor your weight. A significant fluctuation could affect your results and require you to come back to the clinic for another injection.
What Are the Causes of Submental Fullness?
Up to 70% of the population suffers from a double chin, so the condition is extremely widespread. In many cases, excess weight is the initial cause of submental fullness. However, many patients suffer from the issue even after they lose weight because getting rid of the fat under the chin is extremely hard. Often, dietary changes and high levels of exercise aren’t enough, and a stubborn pocket of tissue remains.
Similarly, there are people who struggle with a double chin even though they have never been overweight. In such cases, genetic factors or the natural aging process could be the culprit. When we grow older, our bodies produce fewer structural proteins, so our tissues begin to sag. Therefore, fat can collect under the chin and cause a pocket that is difficult to address without medical intervention.
What Double Chin Treatment Does
Deoxycholic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in your digestive system. Its job is to break down and destroy fat, so it is the ideal active ingredient for double chin treatment. When we inject a manmade version into the chin, the deoxycholic acid dissolves the excess tissue. Later on, your body can remove the broken-down fat cells and secrete them.
The fact that the main ingredient is already present in your body is a major advantage of this treatment because it drastically reduces the risk levels and prevents an allergic reaction. Instead of fighting against Kybella, your body will recognize the substance as beneficial and allow it to do its job.
What to Expect at the Clinic
Before you can take part in double chin treatment, we will invite you to an initial consultation and analyze your cosmetic concern. During the meeting, we can come up with a suitable treatment plan. If you have a small double chin, you might only need three appointments spaced out over at least three months, but if your submental fullness is very pronounced, you will need to come to the clinic six times over the course of half a year.
Each session only takes 30-60 minutes. To begin, your provider will numb your face with a cream or a local anesthetic and then mark the injection sites. Once you can no longer feel your lower face, the practitioner can inject the deoxycholic acid under your skin. You can leave the clinic when your treatment is complete, and since the injections are easily hidden with a scarf, you can immediately return to work or your regular activities.
Am I a Good Candidate for Treatment?
Most people with a double chin are eligible for deoxycholic acid injections, but before we can approve you for treatment, we need to check your medical records and health history. Certain conditions preclude you from taking part. Similarly, people who are seriously overweight need to try holistic weight loss measures and get closer to their target weight first. After the injections, you should be prepared to maintain your new, healthy weight indefinitely.
Your Weight Is Constant and Healthy
Contrary to popular belief, many treatments designed to remove fat from the body aren’t appropriate for people who are obese or seriously overweight. Instead, they are meant for those who have worked hard to achieve their target body mass index and are struggling with stubborn pockets of fat that can’t be addressed holistically. Double chin treatment is no different, and you might not be eligible if you are not yet close to your target weight.
During your initial appointment, your provider will let you know whether you need to lose some more weight. Sometimes, achieving a healthy BMI allows patients to get rid of their double chin naturally, but this isn’t always the case. If you still suffer from submental fullness after you’ve completed your weight loss journey, you could be a good candidate.
You Have No Serious Diseases
As discussed above, double chin injections aren’t dangerous, and they don’t involve injecting harmful chemicals under your skin. For this reason, extensive health checks and blood scans aren’t usually necessary prior to your session. However, we will review your medical file to make sure you don’t suffer from a disease that could interfere with treatment.
For example, patients with heart problems, an autoimmune condition, or issues with wound healing might not be able to take part. Similarly, if you have known allergies to any of the substances used during treatment, you will need to look for an alternative.
You Are Prepared to Do What It Takes
You won’t have to spend many weeks preparing for or recovering from Kybella, but there are certain instructions you have to be willing to follow. Most importantly, you shouldn’t take any blood-thinning supplements or drugs for some time before and after each session. Your doctor can give you a comprehensive list of products to avoid. You should also delay strenuous exercise and activities that heat up the skin, such as sauna visits, for 24-48 hours.
In the months and years after your injections, you should work hard to remain at your target weight. While many of the fat cells are removed during treatment, there are still some remaining, and they can grow if you become overweight or obese. In such a case, you might experience a small double chin again, and you’ll need additional treatment.
You Want a Quick and Minimally Invasive Solution
Some people who suffer from submental fullness opt for a surgical solution such as a facelift. While this can work well, it is much more taxing on the body. Patients who would like a safe, quick, and minimally invasive solution should choose deoxycholic acid injections instead.
The treatment doesn’t involve general anesthesia or making incisions in the face, so there is minimal risk. Because patients can go straight back to their regular activities after their appointment, this solution is appropriate for anyone who has a busy schedule or can’t take any time off work.
Enjoy a Youthful and Beautiful Profile Now
At some point in life, almost 70% of Americans will experience a double chin, either due to issues with their weight, genetics, or the natural aging process. While this condition is normal and doesn’t pose a health threat, it is distressing for many patients. They might suffer from low self-confidence and have a harder time enjoying social occasions due to the appearance of their profile.
Kybella is an effective and minimally invasive treatment that melts away fat cells and allows you to permanently get rid of your submental fullness. As long as patients don’t gain weight after their sessions, they can enjoy the results for the rest of their lives. Get in touch with us today at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa in Bay Harbor Islands, FL and book your initial submental fullness consultation near Bay Harbor Miami, Coral Gables, and Sunny Isles.