Can Bellafill be reversed with the use of Kybella?

Question

I have disfiguring skin picking scars on my face that I have treated with bellafil over the years. Some areas were way overfillled and look worse than when I began this journey. The Doctor i'm working with said that she wants to reverse it by injecting Kybella but I couldn’t find any info on anyone being able to reverse it that way. Is this a thing? Can Kybella remove bellafil?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I have quite a few patients come today, including just yesterday, who have been treated with Bellafill elsewhere who now wish to rid themselves of the problems they have experienced with it. Unfortunately, as I have pointed over for many years already to my regular followers, permanent fillers can translate into permanent problems immediately after treatment, or even five, ten or twenty+ years later. These complications can be very difficult to treat and even attempted surgical removals may themselves result in the disfiguring scars. I am not aware of Kybella for tresting this problem, and conceptually,, this approach makes little sense. Permanent fillers, being foreign bodies that cannot be eliminated by our immune system and simply become encased  and walled off in a "cocoon" of fibrous tissue, which is how they achieve their filling effect. So, when things go wrong, as they so often do, the best way to date to shrink the fibrous tissue is by following an algorithm of intralesional injections of varying combinations, concentrations and amounts of anti-inflammatory agents, Kybella works to dissolve fat, so it cannot be expected to deal directly with the fibrous tissue issue that is at the root of the Bellafill problem. Make sure to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist and best of luck.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Kybella is meant to reduce submental fat and cannot be used to reduce the volume of PMMA in the facial soft tissue.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in-person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan.  It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Kybella treatment consists of injections to dissolve fat.  Kybella will not dissolve Bellafill.  It is possible that your doctor feels that dissolving some fat may improve your issue though.

Can Bellafill be reversed with the use of Kybella?

Answers (4)

Answer: Can Bellafill be reversed with Kybella?

Answer: Can Bellafill be reversed with Kybella?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Bellafill

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can Bellafill be reversed with the use of Kybella?

Answers (4)

Answer: Can Bellafill be reversed with Kybella?

Answer: Can Bellafill be reversed with Kybella?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Bellafill

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.