Nonsurgical fat treatments like Kybella have trended upward recently thanks to strong demand for procedures with reliable results but minimal side effects. Relatedly, it comes as little surprise that 80 percent of all facial procedures done last year were entirely noninvasive. These numbers begin to demonstrate how patients have grown more careful when considering treatments for their bodies and faces. After all, just one mistake can radically change your look.
What is Kybella, and How Does it Treat Submental Fullness?
Kybella is an injection consisting of deoxycholic acid, a bile acid naturally created by our bodies to help absorb fat. A synthetic version of this acid is injected to destroy fat cells beneath the chin, preventing them from storing any more fat.
Created to address submental fullness (excess fat under the chin), it is the only FDA-approved injectable that treats the dreaded double chin.
You should only allow trained healthcare providers to administer Kybella injections, as they can kill other cells too. Doctors are currently trying to develop a similar injectable treatment for different areas of the body, but as of 2019, Kybella only has approval for use on the chin.
Typically, about 20 to 50 injections will be needed to achieve optimal results. The acid works by killing fat cells over time, which are later flushed out of the body naturally. Kybella is nonsurgical, which means no general anesthesia is needed; this automatically reduces the risks and side effects associated with the procedure.
Your body should take about three or five weeks to metabolize the dissolved fat completely. After this period, you should start noticing the results of the procedure. The results should be permanent, as the targeted cells will lose the ability to store fat.
How Many Sessions of Kybella Do I Need?
The answer is subjective and depends on both the doctor and the patient’s expectations. Usually, several sessions are required to complete the cycle and reach the desired goals fully. As we stated before, it takes from three to five weeks to see improvements in the treated area. There are rare occasions where only one session is needed, but this is the exception and not the rule. Up to six Kybella treatments can be done on a patient, with a recommended period of one month between sessions.
The Price for a Kybella Treatment
Kybella’s website does not provide an official estimate for how much a procedure will cost. It does, however, note that the price paid accounts for not only the series of injections, but also the healthcare professional’s skill and expertise. As with all body contouring procedures, we recommend choosing an experienced treatment center you have extensively researched.
Other unofficial sources estimate that a Kybella treatment will cost between $1,200 and $1,800 on average. This average accounts for the multiple sessions likely needed for complete results to appear. Insurance will not likely cover the procedure, as it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and not necessary for help purposes.