As the new, FDA approved, Kybella becomes available in the US, many are surprised by its great demand not only from women, but also men. While the origins may differ – be it genetics, weight gain, hormonal changes, age, and more, it seems universal that both men and women would prefer to live their lives sans their double chin.
In this professional age, men are feeling the heat to maintain their appearance and stay competitive in the workforce. “Often, despite how active and healthy you may be, genetics can make it difficult to prevent formation of submental fullness, or the double chin,” says Dr. Hall. “Kybella is a great option for both men and women looking to reduce this fullness and have a more defined jawline.”
In fact, an overwhelming number of patients treated to date are men, with some physicians reporting forty percent or more of those treated in their practices. This is a surprise to many plastic surgeons who tend to have practices dominated by female patients. For many men who are afraid to go under the knife, the draw of Kybella is great since they are able to do something to regain confidence and even to fit in their clothes more comfortably without having to recover from a surgical procedure. The benefit of using Kybella, created by Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc., is that it requires little time commitment as well as downtime. For men who are on the go, Kybella is quick and easy – it can be done in 30 minutes or less and they can return back to work the same day as the procedure. “The ease of use with this procedure is what I think makes it so appealing. We can customize the treatment for the anatomy of both male and female patients. Not only do they get a great result from the treatment, but they’re able to get that great result without having to sacrifice significant personal time. It can be done discretely at the patient’s convenience,” says Dr. Hall.
Kybella is made from deoxycholic acid, a special chemical produced in the body that helps absorb fats. When injected into submental fat below the chin, it destroys these fat cells, which are then reabsorbed by the body. The medication is ideal for patients with mild to moderate submental fullness. Patients can receive up to 50 injections in a single session if necessary, and can return for additional treatments if needed for desired results. Most patients will need a minimum of 2-4 treatments for full correction with some requiring as many as 6 sessions. Treatments cost anywhere from $600 to $1,800 a session, depending on how much medication is required. The larger a person’s double chin, the more appointments and product are necessary to correct it.
Another draw for using Kybella is that most patients are good candidates. Ask your doctor about how risk factors such as smoking, steroid use, diabetes and poor skin quality, can affect your treatment and recovery. All possible risk factors are evaluated and discussed during consultation.
Recovery from Kybella is minimal – unlike surgical procedures such as liposuction, Kybella requires little to no downtime, and there’s less bruising and swelling for the patient. To find out more about Kybella or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call our office at (512) 327-5337.