Kybella cheeks. Disaster. What could it be? (photos)

Question

Hi, just had few treatment of Kybella for double chin an later on the cheeks. After only 2 treatment my double chin disappeared so i decided to try the product on my cheeks. after 2 month cheeks are still looks swollen. Meanwhile the subnasal folds are more evident my doctor injected the product on the inner part of my face (subnasal fold) instead of the outer part (my cheeks) is this the reason? Could it be SKin laxity? fat necrosis? I'm looking for a surgery to restore my face. Thanks, Andy

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question, Andy8324. Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment only for submental fat. For that reason, Kybella should not be administered in other parts of the face which explains the negative experience you have in your cheeks. Please consult with a board certified physician to ensure that you receive the highest quality treatment that follows the guidelines of each procedure.Best wishes,

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your experience and photos with us.  I would recommend that you visit with your surgeon to discuss options such as fat grafting versus dermal fillers to help restore volume in the areas that were treated with Kybella.  Also, I would wait a couple months after your Kybella treatment before making any definitive plan to ensure the effects of Kybella are stable.

Josh Waltzman, MD, MBA · Answer

Currently, Kybella is only approved for use beneath the chin.  Any use on other parts of the face is considered "off label" use.  If the product was injected in your nasolabial folds then it would make sense that the fat in that area would be removed and therefore the folds appear deeper.  Your options to restore volume in that area of the face would include synthetic fillers like Juvederm or Restylane, or autologous fillers (your own fat cells).  I would suggest talking to the doctor who injected the Kybella to see what options they recommend as well.  Best of luck!

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Kybella is an excellent product for the submental fat. It is only FDA approved in that area and is definitely not recommended for other areas of the face or body.  Please consult a board certified dermatologist to see if fat grafts or Voluma can correct the situation.  Best, Dr. Green

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you very much for your question.Kybella is approved for the area underneath your chin.  Using the product anywhere else is "off label".  I would talk with your injector about your experience, and see what they recommend.  They may recommend fillers to increase the volume in that area, or fat grafting. Best of luck!

Kybella cheeks. Disaster. What could it be? (photos)

Answers (5)