Kybella is an increasingly popular treatment for battling fat concentrations in particular body areas. The procedure can eradicate fat deposits that no amount of diet and exercise can eliminate. How does Kybella work?
This post focuses on the function of Kybella. We will cover its chemical composition, how it affects the body, how long its results last, and more.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is the first of its kind fat reduction treatment that is non-surgical and only minimally invasive. It is an injectable substance that burns the fat cells in the localized area where it is injected. Kybella is the first-ever non-surgical fat reduction alternative to surgical liposuction.
The treatment is entirely safe and has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is convenient – only taking a few minutes for the procedure to be over, with permanent results, minimal downtime, and leaves no scars.
How Does Kybella Work?
The magic behind Kybella is its primary ingredient: deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally-occurring compound found in the digestive system. The sole purpose of this bile acid is to break down and emulsify dietary fat in the intestine so the body can absorb it.
Deoxycholic acid will break down fatty tissue cells when injected into localized areas. After the deoxycholic acid kills the fat cells, the body slowly gets rid of them until they are totally out of your system.
The Effects of Kybella
The primary effect of Kybella is a slimmer localized area.
But how long will the treatment take full effect, and how many treatments do you need? Are the results permanent? And are there potential side effects of which you should be aware?
How Long Before You See the Results of Kybella
Most patients report that they begin seeing results about four to six weeks after their initial Kybella injection. The chemical compound in Kybella, the deoxycholic acid, needs time to emulsify the fat cells, and the body needs time to excrete those cells.
However, the amount of time you need before the results set in might differ depending on the severity of your case. People with more fat may need more time and treatment sessions to achieve desired results. Speaking of treatment sessions, you would probably need more than one injection to get the look you want.
How Many Treatments Needed
Most patients need about four to six injections of Kybella under their chins to get the full effects of the treatment that should last permanently. The injections should occur about two to four weeks after each other. Over the course of the treatments, you will notice the fat deposits slowly getting thinner and leaner.
How Long Do the Results Last?
After the ideal number of injections for your case is met, you should be able to enjoy a fat-free treatment area. The results of Kybella are permanent. Once the injectable eradicates the fat from the treated region, those fat cells will be forever gone.
However, that does not guarantee that the treatment region will never deposit fat again. If you gain weight drastically, your body may just store a new batch of fat cells where the Kybella injections were made. But as long as you maintain a healthy weight, not storing drastic amounts of fat in a short period, the stubborn localized area will remain slim.
Does Kybella Have Side Effects?
Kybella has side effects, the most common of which are temporary and mild. You may experience swelling, redness, slight bruising, numbness, itching, bleeding, minor discomfort, nausea, headache, or hard skin forming at the injection area. You may suffer these side effects for as long as a month after the injections, though most of them will dissipate in just two weeks.
You can take active steps to remedy the common side effects of a Kybella injection. These steps include:
- Using ice or cold packs immediately after treatment
- Applying warm compresses within the first few days of injection
- Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine medication before the injections
- Using acetaminophen as a pain killer (other pain killers have blood-thinning properties which lead to more severe bruising)
- Using chin straps for more compression on the submental area (double chin)
- Gently massaging the treated region after the treatment.
Swelling may be an indication of an infection forming. Though rare, infection is a severe complication that will need immediate medical attention. You must carefully monitor your situation and watch out for worsening or new symptoms.
The symptoms of more severe complications include:
- Necrosis (skin tissue damage)
- Facial muscle weakness
- Uneven smile
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Hair loss around the injected area
- Open sores, either with or without drainage
- Ulcers
If you see any of the listed severe side effects, call your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Aside from the listed side effects, you may also encounter allergic reactions to Kybella. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Rashes
- Red itchy welts
- Itching
- Asthma symptoms
- Wheezing
- Dizziness
Furthermore, if Kybella is inadvertently injected into the veins or arteries, it can cause severe damage. To avoid such complications, it is best to consult a professional.
Does Kybella Require Downtime or Recovery Period?
Unfortunately, Kybella requires downtime. But fortunately, the rest is not as lengthy compared to other fat-reducing treatments like liposuction. You may need to avoid critical social events if you have swelling or bruising.
The good news is that the swelling or bruising will not last long.
Consulting a Professional is a Must
Before you dive head first into your initial Kybella treatment, you must first consult a professional. You should be aware of the risks and benefits of the treatment. And once you have all the pertinent information, you should make a decision for yourself about whether you want the treatment or not.
Her Space Medspa offers free consultations about Kybella and other treatments. Simply reach out to us by phone at 732-747-7935, email at [email protected], or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. Our address is 200 White Road, Suite 111, Little Silver, NJ 07739.
