Does Kybella cause sagging skin?

No. Kybella is an excellent injectable for reduction of submental fat. It destroys fat cells and as it does so, it creates an inflammatory response. That inflammation causes the area to swell for several days, which is inconvenient, but it also causes the skin in that area to tighten up. How much fat destruction and how much skin retraction happens with each Kybella treatment will depend on the individual patient, but I have seen great results in my clinic. The key to getting retraction is the presence of some fat. If the area under the chin is all skin, then I would hesitate on recommending Kybella. If you are thinking about Kybella treatment, you have to know that it takes more than one session. Some patients are done after two but some need three to get the desired result. Treatments are spaced about 6 weeks apart.Hope that helps!

Although Kybella is touted to dissolve fat, this is not its only benefit.  The injections will dissolve local fat but, in doing so, will also produce a local inflammatory reaction which will then in turn help tighten the skin locally.  We have seen that with liposuction of the neck where we remove very little fat volume but often achieve a great deal of skin tightening.  And so unless your skin has a significant amount of laxity to begin with or you are looking to dissolve a significant amount of fat, the area should tighten up for a period of a few months leaving you with a more refined chin and jawline. I hope that helps and wish you the very best!

Kybella should not cause skin sagging if the patient has good skin elasticity.  Ideal patient have mild skin laxity and moderate to severe submental fullness.In patients that have both submental fat and skin laxity, we use Kybella to dissolve the fat and then use Ulthera for skin tightening post treatment.  Ultherapy is the FDA cleared non-invasive procedure to lift and tighten skin on the face, forehead and neck. Ulthera treatments improve wrinkles on the face, neck and décolletage with no downtime. Ultherapy works by administering ultrasound energy to specific depths of skin and muscle with precise ultrasound guidance, which causes tissue tightening and collagen production.I recommend that you get an in person consultation at a practice that specializes in both Kybella and Ultherapy treatments.

Kybella is used for fat dissolving, not skin tightening. Sagging skin will depend on your age and skin laxity. I often combine kybella with ultherapy or thermiRF and botox. I suggest you see an expert who does combination therapy. Best, Dr. Emer.

No. Kybella does not cause sagging skin. It reduces the submental fat pad. However, in older patients or those with excess laxity in the skin, the fat removal process can reveal "banding" below the chin. It's important to find a physician injector who understands this so they can counsel you whether you are a good candidate or not. People with excess laxity in their skin are not good candidates due to the risk for skin sag or banding after removal of the fat. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Most patients will experience enough skin contraction alongside the fat reduction for a great result but all patients should be examined at a consultation to determine candidacy. Patients with looser skin or muscle banding would not be good candidates for Kybella and should consider more comprehensive surgical procedures. Kybella works by lysing the fat cells. The subsequent inflammatory response causes a wound healing mechanism in your body so while the fat is being destroyed, additional collagen and elastin to the area will allow for minimal tightening. 

Kybella is a simple office procedure to permanently remove fat below the chin.  If you have a lot of excess skin then a neck lift might be necessary.  Kybella is designed to remove fat but not skin.

Hello,Thanks for your inquiry!One of the great aspects of Kybella is its origin from a natural acid produced by the body. Because of this, it reacts naturally with your skin to activate your repair cells, which release collagen to tighten and repair the skin. Most people feel this tightening just hours after their first treatment. This tightening does depend on the original laxity of your skin, but even patients upwards of 45 years of age see their skin tighten after a couple treatments.Visit a board-certified physician to see if you qualify for this procedure and to make sure your skin would recover as expected!Best of luck

We have found this not to be the case. In the patients that we have treated at Star Cosmetic Medicine, we have seen that not only do they see an amazing result with the fat being permanently dissolved but the loose skin has also retracted and tightened. I believe it is because the inflammatory reaction that occurs stimulates collagen formation in the area, in turn tightening the skin. 

You bring up an excellent point. Kybella is ideal for those patients who still have a lot of skin elasticity. Because the procedure causes inflammation, there is a bit of skin tightening, but for patients with very lax skin in the chin/neck area, it can make the situation worse. The only option for lifting loose skin is surgery such as a neck or facelift. Hope this helps.Kindly,Kouros Azar