Can doctors administer Kybella to a patient with a beard?

Question

I have a consultation to possibly get Kybella next week. I currently have a beard and not sure if I need to shave it off to have it done. Is it not possible to inject with facial hair? If so, does it potentially have a negative impact on results?

Anil Rajani, MD · Answer

Great question, thank you for asking. Yes, you can be treated with Kybella if you have a beard. Usually the provider will look at the anatomical landmarks and feel their way around the beard by lightly pressing and feeling it then cleansing it. As long as this can be done, the beard can remain intact during treatment. A great benefit to having a beard is that it tends to mask the unavoidable swelling that temporarily occurs after the Kybella treatment. To be certain, I suggest having your preferred provider confirm this with you prior to treatment. Please find more information on this specific topic in my video listed below. Best of luck to you!

Bhupesh Vasisht, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It isn’t necessary to shave before a Kybella treatment, but it can make it easier for your doctor to mark and follow the grid for the injections. My best advice would be to talk to your doctor about their preference. Hope this helps.

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! While shaving makes the job of your doctor easier, it is not absolutely necessary and the injection can still be performed. However, there are reports of some loss of facial hair following Kybella injection and hence you need to weigh your options carefully for reduction of fat under the chin area. I hope it helps and good luck!

Sabrina Fabi, MD · Answer

I would prefer that my patients shave before receiving Kybella. We use templates that fit against the submental skin. These guide our injections for greatest accuracy. A beard could interfere with the trajectory of the needle; I have had patients with beards trim them before injection to avoid this. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist will determine if you are a candidate for Kybella; you can speak with him or her at that time about their preferences regarding beards.

Catherine Weng, MD · Answer

Yes it is possible to inject kybella if you have a beard.  One drawback is that usually prior to injection your doctor will mark out important anatomic structures to avoid complications such as the marginal mandibular nerve which is responsible for the movement of the lower lip.  This would be more difficult to locate with a beard.  So your best bet is to shave it if you are ok with that.  The other thing to note is there have been a few reported cases of temporary hair loss with Kybella injection - so your beard may become patchy temporarily.  This is temporary and the facial hair will grow back but you should be aware of this possibility before getting kybella.

Sheila Barbarino, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, you can have Kybella injections with facial hair. A heavy, dense beard can obscure visualization and some less experienced providers might refuse to treat you with the Kybella since they will not be able to apply the traditional grid that is usually used to "map" out where the treatment will take place. If you could part with your beard (at least for your treatment of Kybella) shave it off.  Besides after you have your Kybella treatment you may love your define jawline so much you may no longer want to hide it underneath a beard!

Stephen Giordano, DO · Answer

Thank you for your question! I always recommend all patients with a beard to shave under the chin as that allows for better visualization of treatment area, and pictures. It also helps to decrease the possibility of infection, and makes it much easier to clean and mark the area pre treatment.
Dr G.

Jonathan Hall, MD · Answer

I prefer that my male patients shave before Kybella is administered.  A temporary tattoo "grid" of dots is placed on the skin to allow us to space the injections accurately.

Chang Son, MD · Answer

Kybella's efficacy should not vary with amount of facial hair present.  Practically, it makes it a little more difficult for the injector to mark and assess certain anatomic landmarks, however, it should not be that difficult.

Jill C. Fichtel, MD · Answer

Most experienced cosmetic dermatologists will be able to administer Kybella injections while you have a short beard.  Having a beard will not necessarily have a negative impact on your results.  Keep in mind, however, a thick/long beard could make it difficult to administer the medication.

Can doctors administer Kybella to a patient with a beard?

Answers (14)

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