According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, almost 70% of adults in the US suffer from a double chin, also called submental fullness. While some people experience this problem because they are overweight, it can also be caused by genetic factors and looser skin due to aging. Here at WellSkin Med Spa in Dallas, TX, we offer a simple treatment called Kybella that can permanently remove the fat cells below your chin.
How Soon Can You See Results From Kybella?
When you contact us about submental fullness, we will ask you to attend an initial consultation with us. At that time, we can determine whether double chin treatment is right for you and if so, book you in for your appointment. Depending on the condition of your chin, you will require several treatments and begin to see results around four to six weeks after your first session. Let’s have a closer look at what you can expect from submental fullness treatment.
The method we use to address double chins is based on a substance that occurs naturally in the body, called deoxycholic acid. A synthetic form of this acid is injected into your treatment area and breaks down the fat cells. As a result, your double chin will melt away over time. Because the acid needs some time to work, the results of your treatment appear gradually, approximately 1-1.5 months after your initial treatment.
Over time, you will notice that your double chin decreases in size, even after your sessions at the clinic are over. Most likely, you will be asked to attend a follow-up appointment with your practitioner around six months after your final session, so we can assess your results. At that point, you can compare pictures of your chin before and after treatment, and you’ll be astounded at the results.
One of the most frequently asked questions is how many times patients have to come to the clinic to see optimal results. Although you’ll notice a difference after just one session, we usually recommend at least three appointments to ensure the best outcome. The number and extent of treatments depends on the condition of your submental area and what results you would like to see, and the easiest way to find out more is to speak to an expert practitioner.
Double chin treatment is considered minimally invasive, which means that it doesn’t involve surgery. When your appointment begins, your practitioner will first apply numbing cream or a local anesthetic to your treatment area, then mark the injection sites. Next, they will inject the deoxycholic acid into strategic spots on your chin.
After treatment, you can go home or back to work straight away. Since the injection sites aren’t on your face, they are easily hidden under a scarf or turtleneck sweater. For the first few days after your session, you should avoid excessive exercise and exposure to the sun. Your provider will tell you which substances you shouldn’t ingest after your treatment, but they might include NSAIDs, spicy foods, caffeine, and high-sodium or high-sugar foods.
There isn’t much you have to do to prepare for Kybella. However, it is a good idea to think about your schedule before booking in your appointments. Try to leave at least one week in between your double chin treatment and any major events. Your practitioner will let you know what measures you need to take to ensure your safety during treatment.
For instance, they will ask you to avoid taking blood-thinning medication such as NSAIDs, which could cause problems with the injections. Similarly, you will be asked to wash your face thoroughly before treatment and come to the clinic without makeup. That way, the treatment site is easily accessible, and the risk of infection is minimal.
When you decide to undergo treatment, your provider can let you know what to do to make sure you experience great results. While the deoxycholic acid injectable is generally considered a permanent solution, it’s possible for your submental fullness to reappear if you gain a significant amount of weight. The treatment only removes a portion of the fat cells under your chin, so you might develop a smaller double chin if your weight fluctuates.
For this reason, your practitioner will speak to you about your habits. They will discuss how you can keep your weight stable and therefore experience the long-term benefits of your treatment. If you’ve struggled with excess weight in the past, working with a nutritionist or a personal trainer could be a good idea.
Because the treatment isn’t designed to be a weight-loss measure, not everyone can benefit from double chin reduction. You are only eligible if you have moderate to severe submental fullness and you’ve already reached your target weight.
What’s more, certain severe health conditions preclude patients from taking part. When you come to see us at the clinic, we will ask you to bring your medical history and a list of medications you take, so we can check that the treatment is safe for you.
Submental fullness is the medical term for the excess tissue under your chin. A double chin is almost always composed of fat cells, which have expanded or become more visible due to weight gain, genetic factors, or the natural aging process. The best candidates for double chin treatment are people who have struggled with this condition for a while and would like to address it once and for all.
If you’ve only just developed submental fullness or you’re still a teenager, you might not be a good candidate. This is because your condition might be temporary. We generally accept patients who have struggled with their double chin for at least 6-12 months.
Although there are other causes, your weight is often a contributing factor to submental fullness. Unfortunately, Kybella isn’t a weight loss program, and your provider will ask you to try holistic measures such as changes in your diet and exercise plan first. Once you’ve lost most of the weight and you’re close to your target, you can come back to the clinic and be reassessed.
Often, submental fat is very hard to get rid of, even when you’ve slimmed down considerably. Once the cells have expanded, they are resistant to change, and you might find that they aren’t disappearing as quickly as you would have hoped. In this case, deoxycholic acid could be the perfect solution for you, as it permanently melts away the fat cells.
Because the treatment is minimally invasive and doesn’t involve surgery or general anesthesia, most patients who meet the above requirements are good candidates. However, we will check your health history before allowing you to participate since we want to make sure treatment is safe for you. Anyone with a serious health concern such as cancer or severe heart disease should be careful and might need to consult their primary physician.
Similarly, people with an active infection in the treatment area should wait until this has cleared up. If you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding, you should wait before being treated. There is no evidence that deoxycholic acid hurts you or your baby, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even if you’re not currently eligible, you can come to the clinic to consult with our specialists now and then have your submental fullness addressed once you are ready.
Although double chins are often associated with obesity, they can occur in people who aren’t overweight. Genetic factors and the effects of aging can cause submental fullness. If you’re worried about the appearance of your profile and would like to reduce the amount of tissue under your chin, Kybella could be right for you. This minimally invasive treatment melts away your fat cells permanently.
Because the active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, requires some time to work, you will see results 4-6 weeks after your treatment. Your tissue will shrink gradually but noticeably, and the transformation can take up to six months. Get in touch with us today at WellSkin Med Spa in Dallas, TX to book your first appointment with one of our experts. They will be happy to evaluate your condition and let you know whether this injectable is right for you.
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