The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps with the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Once fat cells are destroyed, they cannot reform, so results are long-lasting.
During treatment, Kybella will be injected into multiple small spots in the fat beneath the chin. This process usually takes about 15-20 minutes. The number of injections will be dependent on the amount of submental fullness present and the desired outcome of the patient. Most patients require 2-4 Kybella treatment to see optimal results.
There is minimal downtime associated with Kybella. Following Kybella injections, patients may experience slight swelling, bruising, numbness, or hardness around the treatment areas, which should resolve with time.
Because Kybella permanently destroys submental fat cells, most patients do not require further treatment.