Kybella vs. Liposuction for the Chin: What You Really Need to Know

Gorgeous lady with closed eyes and holding hand on near neck | Beauty Boost Med Spa at Newport Beach, CA

In the age of selfies and Instagram, it’s hard not to feel self-conscious — especially if you have a double chin. Photo filtering apps can only do so much! Even if you’re careful to stay in shape, you may still have pesky chin fat that shows up in family photos.

If you want to get rid of excess fat on your chin or jowls, you have a couple of options: Kybella and submental liposuction. The right provider can help you get your facial profile back and achieve your #NoFilter goals.

Kybella vs. Liposuction: Which is the Ideal Nonsurgical Solution?

Kybella is an FDA-approved, nonsurgical treatment for unwanted fat in the chin and jowls. It takes effect gradually over the months following treatment, ultimately leading to a very noticeable reduction in fullness below the chin or lower cheeks. Many patients end up with a more defined jawline that looks great in photos.

How Kybella works vs. liposuction

During a Kybella treatment, the provider injects synthetic deoxycholic acid to permanently destroy and digest fat cells. It gradually dissolves the membranes lining fat cells in the target area during the weeks following treatment. Ultimately, the cells are expelled by the body’s own immune cells.

What to expect

Unlike surgical procedures, Kybella requires only minimal downtime before you can resume normal activities. Most people experience swelling and puffiness for up to 7-10 days following their first session, but these side effects decrease with subsequent sessions. Severe side effects are very rare, especially if you get your treatments from an experienced provider.

Kybella is a very long-lasting treatment and can permanently destroy fat. However, most people need at least two sessions to see noticeable results. Depending on the amount of fat you wish to remove, you may need as many as 3-5 sessions, spaced about at minimum a month apart.

Research shows that Kybella is a highly effective treatment. A trial completed before FDA inspection showed that about 80% of patients noticed a reduction in submental fat and were more satisfied with their appearance after being treated with Kybella. There’s a high chance you will love your Kybella results, too!

Kybella vs. Liposuction: Which One You May Consider for a Single-Session Surgical Treatment

If you would rather get your chin fat removed with a single treatment, you may want to consider liposuction. This surgical procedure gives patients a sculpted neck and a more youthful contour. It takes weeks or months to see your final results, but patients usually don’t need additional treatment sessions.

How submental liposuction works vs. kybella

During submental liposuction, the patient is either sedated or under anesthesia. A surgeon places small incisions under the chin and behind each ear to prepare for the treatment. The liposuction itself involves using suction to remove fat through the incisions.

What to expect

Like Kybella, surgical liposuction leads to a long-lasting reduction in chin fat. Unlike Kybella, liposuction usually only requires a single treatment. Some patients who want to remove larger amounts of fat prefer liposuction simply because they would rather not schedule multiple treatment sessions.

The main downsides of submental liposuction are the longer downtime and somewhat higher risk level compared to Kybella. Most patients take 3-5 days of downtime to recover from liposuction surgery, and they may not be able to enjoy their usual activities during this time. Patients often experience bruising for up to 2 weeks following the procedure and may have swelling for 3-6 months.

Any surgical procedure, including liposuction, carries some degree of risk. Bleeding, infection, scarring, and nerve injury are all potential complications, although more severe side effects are very rare. You can minimize these risks by getting treatments from an experienced provider.

Contact Beauty Boost for a free consultation

Beauty Boost Med Spa provides Kybella treatment from qualified, experienced injectors who love to help people feel better about their appearance. We take special care to understand each patient’s goals before every treatment. Our services are safe, discreet, and customized to your body and desired outcome.

If you have any questions about Kybella, we encourage you to set up a free consultation or send us a message. Our team can help you find the best course of treatment for your aesthetic goals, including better selfies.

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