Kybella or CoolSculpting for stubborn armpit fat? (photos)

Question

I have stubborn “armpit fat” that will never go away regardless of dieting and exercising. Which procedure would be best for me based on these photos?

Gabriel F. Santiago, MD · Answer

The armpit is one of those trouble areas that is difficult to attach a coolsculpting piece to. Kybella could probably work, however given the amount that I see in the photo, it would likely require multiple injections to achieve your goal which can be costly. 
For these areas, I would typically perform an awake liposuction in the office under local anesthesia. The cost is comprable to both coolsculpting and kybella, however the result is instant, compared with the two non-invasive treatments (coolsculpting and kybella) which take time to see results, and can actually be more painful with regard to tingling and swelling than awake liposuction under local anesthesia.

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

Kybella and CoolSculpting are both effective treatments to spot-reduce fat, but CoolSculpting will likely cost less. Kybella also causes swelling for a couple days, whereas CoolSculpting rarely causes swelling. If you were my patient, I would recommend CoolSculpting.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Currently, Kybella is only used “off label” for the underarm fat. CoolSculpting’s CoolMini applicator is FDA approved and a great fit for the area. It is best to see a certified CoolSculpting partner to determine that the tissue is in fact fat and not loose skin or breast tissue. Also, dependent on the amount of volume, plan on treating the area twice. The other option to consider is liposuction

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting works great for the arm pit fat. Recommend a complimentary consultation to see if you are a good candidate.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would recommend using CoolSculpting rather than Kybella to treat fat in the armpit area.  Kybella treatments would require multiple treatment sessions and could easily end up costing more than CoolSculpting.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting can be used for this. For best results with Coolsculpting, a combination approach is needed. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. VASER with ThermiRF is a great alternative. Best, Dr. Emer

Tonya Boudreaux, MD · Answer

Hello! Based on your photos, it seems that you would be a good candidate for either coolsculpting or kybella in the armpit fat area. Both treatments work very well - it would ultimately be up to you to decide if you would rather be frozen or poked with syringes!
Best of luck!

Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery - Grand Rapids · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  It is difficult to tell from your photos.  Coolsculpting is a great choice for armpit fat and likely more cost effective than kybella for that area. I would recommend a consult with an experienced provider. Hope this helps!! Holly, RN

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Kybella and CoolSculpting are both effective treatments to spot-reduce fat, but CoolSculpting will likely cost less. Kybella also causes swelling for a couple days, whereas CoolSculpting rarely causes swelling. If you were my patient, I would recommend CoolSculpting.  Best of luck!

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your photos! Although it is difficult to say without an in person examination, you should be a good candidate for CoolSculpting. For people who don’t want surgery CoolSculpting is a very effective option to help reduce fat in selective areas. The CoolSculpting fat-freezing procedure is the only FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The suction and cooling temperature are set by the CoolScultping machine to provide precise cooling, causing damage to only the fat cells, leaving other surrounding tissues (skin, nerves, etc.) unharmed. Some people experience discomfort at the beginning of the treatment from the suction and cold, but this usually dissipates as the treatment progresses. Common side effects are numbness, swelling, tenderness, and bruising to the treated area, though these typically subside in a few days, but can last as long as a few weeks. After CoolSculpting, treated fat cells that die are naturally eliminated from the body. This process is not as rapid as invasive procedures, such as liposuction. Typically, the most dramatic results are seen in 1-3 months after treatment. Larger areas that will require more than 1 round of treatment usually can be re-treated 30 days later. 
Kybella® (deoxycholic acid) injection is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that is used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called, “double chin.” Kybella can be used off-label for the area under the arms. Careful patient selection is important to ensure safe and effective treatment, so I suggest making an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon for consultation to discuss your options.

Kybella or CoolSculpting for stubborn armpit fat? (photos)

Answers (15)

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