Chin Fat Dissolving Injections

Unwanted chin fat, or submental fullness, is a common complaint in many patients. The submental area under the chin often accumulates fat cells, resulting in chin fat and the appearance of a double chin and weak jawline. Despite weight loss, a balanced diet, and regular exercise, stubborn chin fat can remain, leaving patients wondering if there is a better solution for eliminating excess fat. In the past, patients underwent liposuction, an invasive surgical procedure accompanied by significant downtime and a risk of serious side effects and complications. Today, patients can look forward to Kybella injections, a non-invasive solution to eliminating chin fat that requires little to no downtime or side effects. Dr. Michele Green in New York City was one of the first physicians in the United States to dissolve chin fat with Kybella injections for facial rejuvenation. As a world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Green is an expert in Kybella, Botox, and other dermal fillers and injectable treatments.

Approved in 2015 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kybella is an injectable treatment designed to dissolve unwanted pockets of fat in the chin area. With a series of injections spaced approximately one month apart, Kybella works to eliminate fat deposits with the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, which breaks down the fat cell membrane to slim and contour the treated area. The number of treatments necessary depends on the amount of fat in the chin area, and Kybella can be used to “debulk” areas with mild to severe fat deposits. Unlike plastic surgery like liposuction, Kybella is a non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime following the treatment. If you want to contour the jawline and eliminate stubborn chin fat without surgery, you might be a good candidate for Kybella fat-dissolving injections. To find out if Kybella is the right option for you, schedule your appointment with Dr. Michele Green.

Experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has been expertly treating patients at her Upper East Side New York Dermatology office for more than 25 years. Dr. Green is an expert in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Juvederm, laser treatments, dermal fillers, and Kybella injections, which she performs daily in her New York City cosmetic dermatology practice. Dr. Green ensures that all patients experience quality care and full body rejuvenation and has been consistently voted one of the best doctors in New York City by Super Doctors, Castle Conolly, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.

How to get rid of chin fat non-surgically

In a survey performed by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, researchers found that 67% of study participants were dissatisfied with the appearance of excess fat under the chin and on the neck, also known as submental fullness. Even with a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and regular exercise, stubborn fat can persist under the chin, leading to the appearance of a double chin and even making patients look heavier than they are. While a plastic surgeon can perform liposuction for chin fat removal, plastic surgery is expensive, requires significant downtime, and poses a higher risk for serious side effects, including infection, bleeding, pain, and scarring. Instead, patients can use non-surgical treatment options, such as Kybella injections for dissolving chin fat. If you want to learn more about Kybella and how non-surgical fat-dissolving injections can help with jawline contouring and fat reduction, continue reading and schedule an appointment with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

What are Kybella fat-dissolving injections?

Kybella is the only injectable treatment specifically FDA-approved for dissolving stubborn fat under the chin, helping patients improve their facial profile and contour the neck and jawline. FDA-approved in 2015, Kybella injections were proven safe and effective through many clinical trials and serve as an excellent alternative to surgical treatments for fat reduction and facial contouring. With the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, Kybella injections facilitate the removal of stubborn pockets of fat without the risk of serious side effects or the need for any downtime. Kybella works most effectively with multiple treatment sessions and will be a permanent fat reduction solution in the treated area, provided there is no additional weight gain following the procedure.

What does fat dissolving do?

Kybella is a safe and effective treatment option for eliminating areas of stubborn fat under the chin and along the jawline. The treatment works via the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring compound that helps the body break down and absorb fat in the digestive tract. When Kybella is injected into the treatment area, the deoxycholic acid begins to destroy the membrane of fat cells at the injection site, causing them to be broken down and metabolized by the body. As the fat cells are broken down, the neck and jawline become slimmer, reducing the appearance of a double chin and submental fullness. Kybella works best to target small areas of stubborn fat and can be used for patients with moderate to severe submental fullness.

Does fat dissolving work on a double chin?

Patients often ask, “Do fat–dissolving injections work on the chin?” A double chin can form when fat accumulates in the submental area due to weight gain, genetics, or the natural aging process. Many patients feel bothered by submental fullness, causing them to seek out treatment options for reducing fat in the chin area. Kybella injections are specifically FDA-approved for dissolving stubborn pockets of fat under the chin. When injected into submental fat pockets, Kybella destroys the fat cells, “debulking” the treated area for a slimmer, more contoured look to the chin and jawline. When a double chin is caused in some part by loose skin, fat-dissolving injections can be paired with skin-tightening treatments, such as Thermage radiofrequency laser treatment, for the best results.

Does Kybella have any side effects?

Kybella injectable treatment is safe and effective for reducing the appearance of submental fat that requires no downtime. Patients may experience mild, common side effects five to seven days after the procedure, including swelling, bruising, soreness, or redness around the injection site. These symptoms will resolve themselves over time without the need for any additional intervention. More serious side effects are very rare and may include hair loss at or near the injection site, nerve injury, or infection. It is essential to seek treatment from an experienced injector and healthcare provider. Less experienced injectors are more likely to cause temporary submandibular nerve damage if the injections are done improperly.

Kybella injections should not be performed on patients with a history of bleeding disorders and should be avoided if there is an active infection in the treatment area. Patients who are pregnant, wish to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should also avoid Kybella injections.

What is the best skincare routine before and after Kybella injections?

The treatment begins with a consultation with Dr. Michele Green at her Upper East Side New York City office to discuss your aesthetic and physical goals for the procedure. Dr. Green will also assess the treatment area to create a unique treatment plan. Kybella injections can be paired with other treatments, such as Thermage and CoolSculpting, to improve the treatment results.

An hour before you arrive for your treatment session, you will apply a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort during the procedure. After the cream is washed off, Dr. Green will mark the treatment area and inject Kybella directly into the fat cells using a fine needle. The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes to complete. To minimize the risk of bruising at the injection site, Dr. Green advises patients to discontinue taking blood thinners for at least one week before the procedure.

Kybella is a noninvasive treatment, so there is minimal downtime following the procedure and very little discomfort during the treatment—especially with the addition of the topical numbing cream. After the injections, Dr. Green’s office will apply an ice pack to the injection site to minimize the risk of bruising and swelling. You can return to your daily activities immediately after your treatment, but Dr. Green advises against intense exercise for 48 hours after your Kybella injections.

Fat-dissolving injections FAQs

How many fat-dissolving injections do I need for the chin?

The number of injections and treatment sessions necessary will vary from patient to patient depending on the amount of fat in the treatment area, the size of the neck, and the patient’s aesthetic goals. To achieve the best treatment results, Dr. Green recommends that patients undergo three sessions, each spaced approximately four weeks apart. During each follow-up appointment, Dr. Green will assess the treatment progress compared to the patient’s aesthetic goals to determine how many more treatment sessions will be necessary.

What not to do after chin fat dissolves

Kybella is a non-surgical option for chin fat removal that requires minimal downtime and allows patients to return to their regular activities almost immediately. Following the treatment, Dr. Green recommends that patients avoid some places, activities, and supplements that can worsen swelling, a common side effect of Kybella injections. For 48 hours, patients should avoid places and activities that generate excessive heat, including intense physical exercise, saunas, and steam rooms. Patients should also refrain from taking blood thinners like Ibuprofen, Advil, or Aleve, which can contribute to swelling and exacerbate bruising. If they experience any discomfort after the treatment session, patients should take Tylenol instead. Patients can also reduce the risk of swelling and bruising by sleeping on their backs, propped up with two pillows for the first night.

How to massage the chin after fat-dissolving injections

You should not massage the area after receiving Kybella injections, as it can increase the risk of pain, swelling, or bruising. Immediately after the treatment session, Dr. Green will apply an icepack to the treated area to reduce the risk of common, mild side effects like bruising and swelling. Dr. Green will then provide patients with clear aftercare instructions on what activities and supplements to avoid and how to reduce the risk of bruising and swelling. Many patients experience swelling as a side effect of the treatment, which can persist for several days following the treatment and should fade within one to two weeks.

How long does fat dissolving last?

Kybella injections destroy fat cells in the treatment area and trigger the body’s natural processes for metabolizing the ruptured cells. As a result, it can take multiple sessions and several months for the full effects of the treatment to become visible. However, once patients receive 3-4 treatments, the procedure results are permanent, provided they maintain their target weight.

Is chin fat dissolving permanent?

Kybella injectable treatment is a permanent procedure for eliminating fat cells in the treatment area. The injection’s active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, destroys the fat cells accumulated in the area, eliminating the double chin and permanently contouring the jawline. The treatment is best for patients at or near their target weight, and the best way for patients to see long-lasting results is to maintain a healthy lifestyle of balanced meals and regular physical activity. Kybella will not prevent the accumulation of fat cells if patients gain weight following the treatment. Should weight gain occur and excess fat accumulates in the submental region, patients can receive Kybella treatment again.

Is chin fat dissolving dangerous?

When patients seek treatment from an expert, board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green, chin fat-dissolving treatment is a safe and effective option for contouring the neck and jawline. Dr. Green uses Kybella, which has been FDA-approved for dissolving submental fat after clinical trials proving its safety and efficacy. The risk of serious side effects is extremely low when you seek treatment from an expert injector like Dr. Green. More inexperienced injectors, like those found at a MedSpa, may be more likely to perform the injections incorrectly, placing the Kybella too near to the mandibular nerve, which can lead to nerve injury, muscle weakness, and an uneven smile. Unapproved off-brand fat-dissolving treatments can also be purchased online, which are potentially dangerous to patients. Non-FDA-approved treatments have been found to lead to serious adverse events, such as infection, scarring, deep cysts, skin deformities, and pain. Therefore, seeking a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who uses safe and effective products and injection practices, is essential.

How much is chin fat dissolving?

The cost of Kybella treatments depends on many factors, including the geographic region in which you are receiving treatment, the type of institution at which you are receiving the procedure, and your specific physical and aesthetic needs. Each patient differs regarding the build-up of fatty tissue in the treatment area and their neck size. As such, the number of injections and treatment sessions necessary to provide optimal results may vary from patient to patient. Further, the treatment price will change depending on whether you require additional cosmetic treatments to debulk the treatment area or tighten the skin. When you have your consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Green, she will be able to determine your treatment schedule, and her office can provide you with a better estimate of the cost of the treatment.

Does chin fat dissolving work?

Yes! When performed by an expert dermatologist like Dr. Green, chin fat dissolving is a safe and highly effective treatment option for patients looking to eliminate submental fat for a slimmer, more contoured neck and jawline. Dr. Green uses Kybella, which is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for reducing areas of stubborn fat under the chin. After more than 20 clinical trials with more than 2600 patients, Kybella was demonstrated to permanently eliminate moderate to severe submental fat in three to four treatment sessions. Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Green today to determine if you are a good candidate for Kybella fat-dissolving injectable treatment.

Where to get fat-dissolving injections

Fat-dissolving injections, such as Kybella injections, should only be performed by an experienced board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green, in a medical setting to ensure safety, efficacy, and optimal results and limit the potential for encountering serious side effects. Serious side effects can occur if Kybella is injected by an inexperienced or unqualified injector, including difficulty swallowing, nerve injury resulting in an uneven smile, and facial muscle weakness. Dr. Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist and expert injector with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning individuals with the best non-surgical procedures for body contouring and skin rejuvenation, including Kybella treatment for permanently eliminating excess fat cells. When you consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood regarding Kybella, she will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that caters to your specific concerns and aesthetic goals to look and feel like the best version of yourself.

How to get started with Kybella injections for chin fat-dissolving today

Submental fullness, also known as the “double chin,” is characterized by stubborn pockets of fat in the chin area and can make many patients self-conscious. According to the American Society for Dermatological Surgery (ASDS), a recent study demonstrated that 67% of patients felt uncomfortable with fat accumulation under the chin. A double chin and sagging jowls can be nuisances because even with a healthy diet and a steady exercise regimen, accumulated submental fat is difficult to eliminate without the help of a cosmetic procedure. Luckily, a safe and effective non-surgical treatment option is available for reducing stubborn pockets of fat under the chin: Kybella fat-dissolving injectable treatment. With deoxycholic acid’s active ingredient, Kybella injections destroy fat cells in the treated area, contouring the neck and jawline for a slimmer, more contoured appearance. The best first step in eliminating your double chin is to schedule a consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans that cater to her patient’s unique concerns and aesthetic goals. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green to determine if Kybella fat-dissolving injections are right for you.