KYBELLA® is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment specifically designed to improve the appearance of moderate to severe fat beneath the chin, known as submental fullness or “double chin.” This revolutionary non-surgical solution offers effective, long-lasting fat reduction without the need for invasive procedures, incisions, or downtime associated with traditional surgical options like liposuction.
At Nervana Medical in Sandy, UT, our experienced healthcare specialists use KYBELLA to help patients achieve a more contoured, defined jawline and a more defined chin profile, enhancing both appearance and confidence.
KYBELLA Candidates
KYBELLA might be a good fit for you if:
- You’re bothered (unhappy, self-conscious, embarrassed) by fat under the chin, also known as submental fullness, and it affects your self-confidence in social or professional settings
- You feel the condition makes you look older or heavier than you actually are, even when you’re at a healthy weight
- You don’t want to have surgery, or you are not a good candidate for surgical procedures due to medical reasons or personal preference.
- You eat well and exercise regularly, but submental fullness persists despite your healthy lifestyle.
- You’re looking for a gradual, natural-looking improvement rather than dramatic overnight changes.
- You want a permanent solution to submental fat that doesn’t require ongoing maintenance treatments once your aesthetic goals are achieved.
How KYBELLA Works
The active ingredient in KYBELLA is synthetic deoxycholic acid, a laboratory-made version of a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Your body naturally produces deoxycholic acid to help digest and absorb fats from the foods you eat.
When KYBELLA is injected into the fat beneath the chin, the deoxycholic acid disrupts the cell membrane of fat cells (adipocytes), causing them to rupture and release their contents. This process is called adipocytolysis. Once the fat cells are destroyed, they trigger an inflammatory response, and your body’s immune system goes to work clearing away the cellular debris through natural metabolic processes.
The destroyed fat cells are permanently eliminated from the treatment area and can no longer store or accumulate fat. This means that once you reach your desired aesthetic goal, further treatment is typically not necessary, as those specific fat cells cannot regenerate. The results are long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight through healthy lifestyle habits.
The treatment is highly targeted, affecting only the fat cells in the injection area while leaving surrounding tissues, nerves, and structures intact when administered properly by a trained healthcare specialist.
Treatment Recommendations and What to Expect
Since everyone’s chin profile is different in terms of fat distribution, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goals, the number of KYBELLA treatments varies from patient to patient. During your initial consultation at Nervana Medical, your healthcare specialist will carefully evaluate the amount and distribution of your submental fat, assess your skin quality, and discuss your personal treatment goals to create a customized treatment plan.
Each KYBELLA treatment session must be given at least 1 month apart to allow proper healing and to assess results before proceeding with additional treatments. You should not receive more than 6 treatments total. In clinical studies, 59% of patients received the full 6 treatments to achieve optimal results, while others required fewer sessions depending on their starting point and desired outcome.
Most patients begin to see visible results after 2 to 4 treatment sessions, with continued improvement over the following weeks as the body metabolizes the destroyed fat cells. The full effect of each treatment session typically becomes apparent within 4 to 6 weeks.
During Your Treatment Session
Treatment can only be administered by a KYBELLA-trained healthcare specialist who has completed specific certification in the proper injection technique. At Nervana Medical, our specialists have extensive experience with injectable treatments and follow precise protocols to ensure safety and optimal results.
At each treatment session, you will receive multiple small injections under your chin using a fine needle. The injection process takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes, making it convenient to fit into a busy schedule. The exact number of injections will depend on the amount of fat you have under your chin and your desired profile, but most treatment sessions involve 20 to 50 injections distributed across the treatment area in a grid pattern.
Your healthcare specialist may apply ice or a topical numbing agent before treatment to minimize discomfort, though KYBELLA itself contains a small amount of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) to help reduce injection-site pain.
KYBELLA Results: What You Can Expect
When injected into the fat under the chin, KYBELLA permanently destroys fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat, which means the results are long-lasting. After reaching your desired aesthetic goal with the recommended number of treatments, further treatment is typically not expected or necessary.
Timeline for Visible Results
Results from KYBELLA develop gradually over several weeks following each treatment as your body naturally processes and eliminates the destroyed fat cells. Many patients begin to notice a difference in their chin profile after their second or third treatment session. The improvement continues to develop over 4 to 6 weeks after each treatment as swelling subsides and the full fat reduction becomes apparent.
Because the fat cells are permanently destroyed, the results are considered long-lasting. However, it’s important to maintain a stable weight after treatment, as significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells in the area to expand, potentially affecting your results.
Natural-Looking Enhancement
One of the key benefits of KYBELLA is that it provides a gradual, natural-looking improvement rather than a dramatic overnight change. This allows you to subtly enhance your appearance, and most people won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what changed—they’ll simply notice you look more refreshed and contoured.
KYBELLA Side Effects: What You Should Know
The most common side effects of KYBELLA are related to the injection process and the body’s inflammatory response to fat cell destruction. These side effects are typically temporary and resolve on their own as healing progresses.
Common side effects include:
- Swelling: The most common side effect, occurring in nearly all patients. Swelling helps signal that the treatment is working.
- Pain or discomfort: Tenderness in the treatment area is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Numbness: Temporary loss of sensation or altered feeling in the treated area.
- Redness: The injection sites may appear red or irritated.
- Areas of hardness: Firm nodules or lumps may develop temporarily as the body processes destroyed fat cells.
- Bruising: Discoloration around injection sites is common and fades over time.
Pre/Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Before Your Appointment
Before receiving KYBELLA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin
- Have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin
- Have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area
- Have had or have trouble swallowingHave bleeding problems
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA will harm your unborn baby)
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA® passes into your breast milk)
- Are taking any medications, especially blood thinners
To minimize bruising, your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding certain medications and supplements for 7-10 days before treatment, including:
- Aspirin and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) unless medically necessary
- Vitamin E supplements
- Fish oil and omega-3 supplements
- Ginkgo biloba and other herbal supplements that thin the blood
- Alcohol consumption 24-48 hours before treatment
After Your Appointment
Following your treatment, your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions to optimize healing and results. General post-care guidelines typically include:
- Apply ice packs to the treatment area for 10-15 minutes several times daily for the first 48-72 hours to reduce swelling
- Sleep with your head elevated on extra pillows for the first few nights to minimize swelling
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activities that increase blood flow to the face for 24-48 hours
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging the treatment area
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed if needed for discomfort
- Stay hydrated and avoid excessive sodium intake, which can worsen swelling
- Avoid alcohol for 24-48 hours after treatment
Why Choose Nervana Medical for KYBELLA in Sandy, UT?
Nervana Medical combines advanced medical training with a personalized approach for KYBELLA treatments in Sandy, UT. Our certified providers bring experience in critical care, emergency medicine, and aesthetics, using detailed knowledge of facial anatomy to deliver balanced, natural-looking results.
Beyond injectables, our practice supports overall wellness through services like hormone optimization and IV therapy. Patients benefit from a welcoming setting, flexible scheduling, strict safety standards, FDA-approved products, and attentive follow-up care.
Schedule a KYBELLA Consultation Today
Don’t let submental fullness hold you back from feeling confident and looking your best. Contact Nervana Medical today to schedule a KYBELLA consultation and take the first step toward a more defined, youthful-looking chin profile.
Call us at (801) 335-5243 or book your appointment online below.