How long should I wait between Kybella injections?

Question

I got kybella injected in my jowls and upper neck area. I’m hoping that I’d be able to get my second treatment 3 weeks after. Is that doable and okay?

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Kybella is FDA approved for treatment of a "double chin". We inject Kybella, a synthetic version of naturally occurring deoxycholic acid, below the skin. It dissolves and removes the excess fat.  As the fat is dissolved, an inflammatory response occurs and this can take 2-4 weeks to subside. There may be some bruising and redness for up to 1 week but these can easily be covered with makeup. Overall you can return to work immediately and most people would not notice that you have had the procedure.  You’ll see some results after the first treatment, but to get the best results, we recommend two to five treatments. You need to wait 6 to 8 weeks in between injections. 
As always, an in-person consultation with a board certified dermatologist with cosmetic training is the best way to assess your needs and provide medical advice.

Sabrina Fabi, MD · Answer

There are two reasons to wait at least 4 and possibly as many as 8 weeks between Kybella treatments: 1) You will probably have at least a week or two of minor swelling and soreness. You need to let your body fully recover before undergoing another set of injections, and 2) Because Kybella works gradually, allowing time between treatments lets you determine whether you need to move forward with another set of injections or not. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist will help you set up a treatment schedule that works for you.

Clayton Crantford, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I typically wait 6-8 weeks between treatments to allow for resolution of the swelling and inflammation that accompanies the treatment.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

For my patients, I recommend waiting at least six weeks in between Kybella injections.  I would not recommend retreating an area three weeks after the first session.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

It is advised to wait at least 4 weeks before another Kybella treatment. You will be swollen after the injection with the swelling lasting up to 3-4 weeks. I hope this helps.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You will still be swollen if you get treatment at 3 weeks.  Four week intervals were used in the initial study but there is every indication from practice that waiting 6 to 8 weeks between treatment may be better.  Generally, Kybella overall is a pretty disappointing treatment in my opinion.  Typically you should be prepared to have up to 6 sessions to accomplish your goals.  Even then, 40% of studies individuals are disappointed with the result.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear taylornoellexo,Kybella typically takes 3 to 5 treatments to work. There should be at least 4 weeks pause between two treatments. This is why I've stopped carrying Kybella in my office.  I recommend neck liposuction more often then any injectable procedure for the neck now. It provides superior results gives me more control over the area than any injectable. The liposuction can be done under local while awake in the office and recovery is about the same as kybella.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about how long to wait between Kybella treatments.  It is recommended that you wait at least 6-8 weeks between treatments.

To be sure, see two or more experienced, licensed and board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment.
 
 I hope this helps.

Robert F. Jackson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. At three weeks after your first Kybella&trade; injection, you could still have some residual swelling, making it difficult to accurately place your second treatment. Because of this, most cosmetic surgeons will ask that you wait around 6 to 8 weeks before getting your next injection. Talk with your provider about your specific needs and you should be able to get a better idea of the timeline to expect.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question taylornoellexo. Kybella is the first
and thus-far only FDA-approved non-surgical injectable treatment for the double
chin. The double chin can be formed by various factors including age, weight
gain, and genetics.Although in the pivotal studies treatments were
performed at four week intervals, I find that performing treatments at twelve week
intervals provides for better results. This may be due to an increased amount
of time for healing of the skin, allowing nodules to dissolve and swelling to
completely subside. Therefore, I recommend that patients start with one
treatment, followed by a second treatment three months later, and return three
months after that to assess initial results. At that point, more treatments may
be performed if further enhancement is desired. Patience is important.With any injection, there is a risk for pain,
bleeding, bruising, redness, tenderness, swelling, and infection, We take
special precautions to minimize these risks. We numb the skin prior to the
treatment and apply cold air to maximize our patients' comfort. We treat bruises
with a laser as early as the next day. Bruises usually resolve by two weeks and
after a laser treatment they usually resolve in one to three days, although it
still can take up to two weeks for full resolution. Most people feel a burning
sensation for about 15 minutes after the treatment. This is addressed by
placing cold compresses on the area which we provide in our office.Please consult with a doctor for specific
recommendations. Good luck!

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