There are some wonderful things that come with aging, like wisdom and experience, but the effects of age on our skin aren’t one of the things we love about the aging process. As you get older, fat around the neck and weakening muscles, combined with sagging skin, can cause you to develop a double chin even if you aren’t otherwise overweight. At Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX, we offer Kybella as a permanent solution to the problem.
Are Kybella Results Permanent?
Yes! Because of the nature of this treatment and the way fat cells develop in our bodies, we can definitely call this a permanent treatment. Kybella is made up of deoxycholic acid (DA), which your body produces naturally in the stomach. In the stomach, the function of DA is to break down the fat that we eat.
It performs a similar function when we use it as an injectable. The DA melts the walls of your fat cells while leaving all other cells untouched. This destroys the fat cells, and your body will whisk them away through its natural waste disposal processes.
The human body does not make new fat cells after puberty, so the fat cells that are destroyed in this way will never regrow. This is a permanent solution to a double chin, so long as you do not gain a lot of weight after treatment.
What Weight Gain Has to Do With It
It would not be safe to remove all fat cells from any part of your body. Our bodies do need some fat cells! There will be some fat cells left in the treatment area after the treatment is over, and these fat cells can still expand later if you continue to gain weight. You will notice a big difference after treatment, and the best way to keep your results is to keep up a healthy lifestyle.
What Genetics Has to Do With It
Sometimes, the healthiest lifestyle in the world will not stop you from developing a double chin. For some people, the body’s genetics simply predispose it to save fat in this area. However, the good news is that once you get rid of excess fat cells with a Kybella treatment, you should see permanent results that highlight your already healthy lifestyle.
How Many Treatment Sessions Will You Need?
The number of treatment sessions you will need depends on a couple of factors, including the severity of your issue and the underlying cause of your double chin. Some people can lead up to six treatments to reach their final goal; however, this is usually only the case for those with a large volume of excess fat in the chin. For normal aging concerns or for submental fullness caused by genetics, one to two treatments are often plenty.
How Quickly Does the Treatment Work?
You will see the results of each treatment about 4 to 6 weeks later. This delay is because your body’s lymphatic system needs a bit of time to deal with the fat that has been released from the cells, processing and carrying it away as waste. How quickly this happens will depend in part on your own unique physiology as well as your age. In general, the younger you are, the more quickly your body will accomplish this.
Many factors are involved in the efficiency of your body’s lymphatic system. One of the most important factors is the overall health of your cardiovascular system, and it also matters that you be adequately hydrated and not fighting any infections. In general, no matter who you are or how old you are, you will see the most speedy results if you follow a few tips:
Exercise (But Not to Excess)
You can support your cardiovascular and lymphatic system by getting some gentle exercise regularly as you wait for your final results. You do want a strong cardiovascular system, but you don’t want to stress the system too much. Aim to get about 2 1/2 hours of moderate walking in every week.
Hydration and Eat Well
You will also see your final results most quickly if you hydrate with about 64 ounces of liquid a day. That’s a lot of water, but the good news is you don’t have to just sit drinking bottle after bottle of water. You can eat hydrating foods, like fruits, vegetables, and soups. You can also get lots of hydration from tea and other non-alcoholic liquids. Avoid fruit juices, which contain tons of sugar and put a strain on your lymphatic system, but enjoy plenty of fresh produce because the micronutrients will also be beneficial for your body.
Consider Massage
Lymphatic massage can also help you see your final results most quickly. Be sure to find a certified lymphatic masseuse.
How Long Does a Session Take?
It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete a single session, although this will depend a bit on the dosage you require and whether you are treating the neck, the chin, or both. We will start your session by sanitizing the treatment area, marking the injection locations, and applying a numbing cream if you require. Most people do not experience pain with this treatment because the needles involved are so small and thin.
For mild cases of submental fullness, it takes about 20 injections to properly treat the entire area. For those with moderate amounts of fat under the chin, 30 injections may be better, and some people may need up to 50 for severe double chins.
Aftercare
For the most part, you can return immediately to your regular routine after treatment. There are just a few things you need to keep in mind for the first few days after your session. For three nights, you will want to sleep with your head slightly elevated. It’s also important that you keep your skin moisturized and protected from the sun. Finally, you will want to carefully wash your chin and neck with mild soap and lukewarm water for the first three days after your treatment session.
Am I a Candidate for Treatment?
The only way to know for sure if you are a good candidate for this treatment is to come in for a consultation. We need to take a look at your submental fullness issues, review your medical history, understand what medication and supplements you may be taking, and also find out about your goals. Good candidates generally are suffering from a double chin caused by excess fat storage in the area, whether that is due to genetic factors, weight gain, or changes due to aging.
The best candidates already have a healthy lifestyle and are within a reasonable distance of their ideal weight goals. They are simply having difficulty moving fat in this one area, despite a healthy diet and regular exercise. Good candidates should also be confident they can maintain their current weight levels and need to have reasonable elasticity to the skin in the treatment area. It’s also important that you do not have any active blood or heart conditions.
What About Fat In Other Areas?
This treatment works so simply and effectively that it’s not uncommon for us to be asked if it can’t be used to get rid of unwanted fat in any part of the body. At the moment, the US food and drug administration has only approved this treatment for double chins. There are trials in the works to evaluate its effectiveness and safety for treating unwanted fat in other parts of the body, but for now, Kybella is only for the chin.
At our clinic, we do offer other effective treatments that are approved for removing fat in other parts of the body, including Elite Coolsculpting.
Find Out If This Treatment Is Right for You
If you’ve been struggling with the frustration of a double chin that doesn’t seem to respond to your careful diet and exercise regimen, this noninvasive treatment could be the answer. The only way to know for sure is to come in and talk to us. We would love to help you discover if Kybella is right for you and help you understand the best treatments for all your cosmetic concerns. Contact us at Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX, today to set up your initial consultation and learn more.
