Kybella in Lehi, UT

These treatments at Utah Valley Dermatology take just 15-20 minutes. Each treatment involves multiple small injections under your chin. The number of injections depends upon the amount of fat you have under your chin. 

There is some pain associated with the 15-20 tiny injections involved in a session. That can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, but don’t use aspirin. 

Most patients will have swelling. The amount of swelling is related to the amount of fat the patient has under their chin, as the swelling is due to the deoxycholic acid reacting with the fat cells. This swelling usually peaks after one day and goes away within 48 hours. But in some patients, the swelling lingers for up to three weeks. The first injection session involves the most swelling. 

The injected areas will develop some numbness that can last for up to two months. There can also be some tenderness to the touch in the area. 

The fat under your chin will go through a transition. First, it will become more like gel after three or four days. Then it hardens. You can feel this, but others cannot see it. The solidified fat then breaks into bits and the body’s immune system goes about disposing of it over the next couple of months. 

Every patient is unique, so it’s hard to say you’ll need an “x” number of Kybella treatments. The maximum number of Kybella treatments approved by the FDA is six. During each session, our Utah Valley Dermatology doctors administer numerous small injections under your chin. Many patients feel they achieve the results they seek in from two to four Kybella treatments. In clinical studies, 59 percent of patients opted to have all six treatments. Treatments need to be spaced at least four weeks apart. 

Kybella doesn’t provide immediate results. The deoxycholic acid needs to get to work breaking down the fat cells. Most patients begin to see changes in about four weeks. From there, as the fat is broken down, the skin tightens and slims the profile now that the weight of the fat is gone. 

Kybella provides permanent results. When Kybella breaks down fat under your chin, this fat is gone for good. Plus, the elimination of fat makes the area less and less able to store fat in the future. As long as you don’t put on a good deal of weight, your slimmer profile will endure. Aging will make your skin slacken somewhat, as you would expect, but it won’t be anything like it was prior to coming to see us for Kybella at Utah Valley Dermatology. 

We know what you’re thinking — if Kybella works so well on fat under the chin, why not use it on other unwanted fat pockets, such as those found on the lower abdomen or the upper thighs? Thus far, Kybella has only been approved for use on double chins. It seems to work best in small areas. Research is ongoing to see how effective Kybella could be on lipomas and under-eye bags.