Kybella is an injectable treatment that dissolves fat cells, to reduce small areas of excess fat. It’s the only FDA-approved cosmetic injectable for permanently reducing submental fat, commonly called a double chin. Doctors also use the treatment "off-label" to treat other small pockets of fat on the body, including above the knees and elbows, upper arms, and the “bra roll.”
The active ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring bile enzyme in the gut.
Each Kybella treatment session requires multiple injections in the targeted area, and patients typically need a series of treatment sessions to see significant results. “Generally, three to four Kybella treatments are needed for the submental area,” says Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist in New York City. She often starts with CoolSculpting to treat chin fat, using the CoolMini applicator to “debulk” the area. “Once the area of fat has been reduced, the remainder is treated with Kybella,” she explains.
Some Kybella patients have a mild skin tightening effect in the submental area, but if laxity is a concern, you may get a better result with a complementary treatment. “Noninvasive skin tightening, such as Ultherapy or Thermage, are ideal for additional firming and tightening of overlying skin, especially in the older patient,” explains Dr. Susan Van Dyke, a dermatological surgeon in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Your outcome will depend on your anatomy, the amount of fat you need to treat, and whether your skin has good elasticity (or the potential to sag once fat is removed). It could work really well for you, or you may need more treatments than others to get the slimming results you want.
RealSelf Tip: Doctors on RealSelf are divided over how effective the injectable is at reducing abdominal fat. It can be used “off-label” to treat small pockets of belly fat, but the number of treatments needed for optimal results can very quickly run up your total cost. Dr. Green says that “for larger areas of excess fat, patients may need up to six treatments to see their desired results.” Because of this, Kybella isn’t the fat-reduction treatment of choice for larger areas like thighs, where other noninvasive body contouring treatment options can deliver better fat reduction in fewer treatment sessions—or a surgical option like liposuction can create dramatic results with a single procedure.
