Kybella®: FDA-Approved Minimally Invasive Treatment for Double Chin

One of the most common complaints adults have about their faces is a double chin. This stubborn fat build-up also causes loosening and sagging of the skin, which can make someone look and feel older than they really are.

iStock_000019328158_MediumNow, patients who want to get rid of their double chin without going under the knife, have a new, non-surgical option.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Kybella® (deoxycholic acid) which is injected into the fat beneath the chin to decrease the bulk and tighten the skin. Kybella® contains a natural molecule that is already present in our bodies that dissolves fat and even prevents it from further accumulating.

“This treatment has worked wonders for patients who have moderate to severe fat build-up, or submental fat, under their chin,” explains Dr. Jay Dutton of The Rhinoplasty Institute of Chicago in Oak Brook and Tinley Park, Illinois. “One of the most exciting things about Kybella® is that after two to four treatments, the results will last even if the patient gains weight in other areas.”

Little Downtime

The procedure itself only takes about 15-20 minutes and is typically recommended once a month for two to four months, depending on how much fat is present. In most cases, the cost of a Kybella® treatment is less than the cost of liposuction.  It also eliminates the downtime and recovery which is common after liposuction.

“My Kybella® patients return to work and exercise the very next day and only experience slight swelling and redness, which is typically diminished by icing the area,” explains Dr. Dutton.

Chin/Nose Connection

Having a defined chin and neck can make a patient look and feel better, especially when their nose is also in proportion.

“Patients who have altered their chin and nose simultaneously experience the most satisfying results because the chin-neck relationship strongly determines an aesthetically proportionate face,” explains Dr. Dutton. “I typically suggest making a minor adjustment to the chin if I am doing a rhinoplasty on a patient because it makes that much of a difference.”

Customized Treatment

“I work with patients to achieve the best results for their face,” explains Dr. Dutton. “No two patients are the same and each requires a thoughtful, carefully laid out treatment plan.”

If you are interested in exploring Kybella®, please contact Dr. Jay Dutton, Rhinoplasty Institute of Chicago, at 630-574-8222

Follow Dr. Jay Dutton on Twitter and Instagram: @jayduttonmd or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhinochicago