Kybella Arms
Kybella is a revolutionary, FDA-approved injection that dissolves fat cells in the treatment area without significant downtime. Dr. Michele Green in NYC was one of the first dermatologists to utilize Kybella injections to treat her patients’ submental fat for the double chin. Unwanted fat can form in many areas of the body, including under the chin (submental fullness), on the abdomen, legs, buttocks, armpits, and upper arms. Excess fat in the underarm area is a particularly common cosmetic problem. Even when patients follow a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise routine, stubborn fat deposits may remain, leaving patients wondering if there is a solution for eliminating excess fat. Previously, the only option available to significantly reduce pockets of fat was to undergo a type of plastic surgery known as liposuction, in which fat cells were surgically removed with the help of a cannula. However, surgical fat reduction requires significant downtime and comes with a risk of serious side effects and complications. Luckily, there is a non-surgical fat removal option available: Kybella, which is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment available for fat reduction and body contouring. The first step for determining if Kybella injections are right for you is to schedule a consultation appointment with experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Kybella injections are FDA-approved specifically for the removal of submental fat, also known as chin fat or a double chin. However, they can also be used as an off-label treatment for other treatment areas, such as the upper arms, armpits, bra fat, love handles, legs, and jowls. The active ingredient is deoxycholic acid, which dissolves fat cells so they become metabolized by the body, reducing the amount of fat in the treatment area. With Kybella injections, there is no need to visit a plastic surgeon, as the series of injections help to melt fat away without the need for any recovery time. Contouring the upper arms was once only possible with plastic surgery. Through the advent of CoolSculpting and Kybella injections, excess fat can be treated without any recovery time or significant side effects.
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 expertly performs daily in her New York City cosmetic dermatology practice. Kybella injections can also be combined with other treatments, such as Thermage for skin tightening, Botox to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, and dermal fillers to combat volume loss and contour the face. When you discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Green, she will generate the treatment plan that will best suit your unique needs. 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. If you are interested in body contouring and addressing your upper arms, armpits, or bra bulge, Dr. Green is here to help.
What is Kybella treatment?
Kybella injections are the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for reducing stubborn areas of fat. FDA-approved in 2015 for treating submental fat under the chin and along the jawline, Kybella injections can also effectively be used as an off-label treatment for full-body contouring. Kybella injections offer an excellent alternative to surgical body contouring, facilitating the removal of stubborn fat cells without the risk of serious side effects or the need for any downtime, making it an easier procedure for many patients to access. 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.
How does Kybella work for fat removal?
Kybella injections work via the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, which, when injected into the areas of stubborn fat, helps to reduce the concentration of fat cells. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps to break down dietary fat. Kybella uses the same principles with a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid, which reacts with the fat cell membrane, causing it to dissolve. Once the fat cell membrane is destroyed, the body can metabolize the fat cells naturally, reducing the concentration of fat at the injection site. Kybella is an excellent treatment option for patients experiencing mild to moderate fat concentration in the treatment area. A permanent, non-surgical treatment, Kybella provides patients with a safe and effective treatment option for body contouring and unwanted fat reduction.
Kybella injections vs. plastic surgery for fat reduction
For a long time, the only option available for fat reduction was a surgical procedure known as liposuction to reduce the amount of fat in the treated area surgically. Performed by a plastic surgeon, liposuction is an invasive procedure in which a metallic rod, called a cannula, is inserted into a small incision at the treatment site. The cannula is used to remove fat cells to sculpt and contour the treatment area. Liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss, however, and can only remove pockets of fat, most commonly stubborn fat in the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, legs, buttocks, submental area, and hips. Due to the invasive nature of the liposuction procedure, there is significant downtime following the treatment, with patients needing to take a full five to seven days before returning to regular activities. Any surgical procedure also comes with a significant risk of serious side effects, including bleeding, scarring, pain, and infection. On the other hand, Kybella provides patients with similar fat reduction results without the need for any downtime and a much lower risk of any serious side effects.
Can you use Kybella on the arms?
While Kybella injections are only FDA-approved for use under the chin, they are an effective off-label treatment for the arms. When a treatment is used “off-label,” it means that it has not yet been specifically FDA-approved for that treatment area, but it is still safe and effective for use by a board-certified dermatologist. If you are experiencing unwanted pockets of fat on the arms, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Green today to determine if Kybella is the right treatment option for you.
Can you use Kybella on the underarms?
As we age, areas of stubborn fat tend to gather on the upper arms and underarms. While this is a natural part of the aging process, some patients feel self-conscious about excess fat in the underarm area, causing them to seek out a treatment option that eliminates fat cells and contours the body. For these patients, Dr. Green will often turn to Kybella injectable treatment, which destroys fat cells at the injection site for a slimmer appearance to the underarm.
Does Kybella work on arm fat?
Kybella is a safe and effective treatment that can be used to reduce arm fat. Patients will begin the treatment process with a consultation meeting with Dr. Green, during which you will discuss your aesthetic goals, and Dr. Green will examine the treatment area. If Dr. Green determines that Kybella is the best option for you, you will be given a topical numbing cream to apply to the treatment area one hour before the procedure. At the time of the injections, Dr. Green will clean off the numbing cream and mark the injection sites in a grid pattern. Then, Dr. Green will inject the Kybella solution into the marked area with anywhere between 12 and 20 injections, depending on the size and scope of the treatment area. Most patients do not experience any discomfort during the injection process due to the topical numbing cream. The treatment process itself is generally quick, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete. To prevent swelling and bruising, Dr. Green will apply an icepack to the injection site and recommends that patients avoid blood thinners in the week before the treatment. Once the procedure is finished, Dr. Green’s office will provide patients with any other skincare instructions for the week following the treatment.
Does Kybella work on elbow fat?
Kybella can be used as an off-label treatment for elbow fat, meaning that it has not been specifically FDA-approved to treat that area, but it is still safe and effective for use there. Anytime you are receiving an off-label treatment, it is essential to seek out a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green. Receiving treatment from inexperienced injectors can lead to a higher risk of serious side effects, such as injection of Kybella into a nerve, which can lead to permanent damage.
Does Kybella work on armpit fat?
A very popular area for off-label Kybella treatment is armpit fat, also known as bra fat or bra bulge. This fat develops under the arm and can be particularly apparent as a bulge along the bra line. It may develop due to genetics or hormones. To treat armpit fat with Kybella, patients typically require two vials of the solution per treatment session, with approximately three treatment sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Kybella for armpit fat is sometimes also referred to as “Brabella.”
Does Kybella work for double chin?
Kybella is specifically FDA-approved to treat submental fat, which is fat cells that appear under the chin, creating what is often referred to as a double chin. Submental fullness often results in a less contoured appearance of the jawline. In a recent survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, researchers found that as many as two-thirds of patients were bothered by the appearance of a double chin. Even if patients are at their ideal body weight, submental fullness may persist, leading patients to seek out an alternative solution. Luckily, Kybella is the ideal treatment option for eliminating a double chin and providing patients with a contoured jawline.
Who is a good candidate for Kybella treatment?
A good candidate for Kybella treatment is someone who is bothered by stubborn pockets of fat around the body. Kybella treatment can be used on many areas of the body to eliminate stubborn fat cells, including along the jawline, upper arms, legs, abdomen, buttocks, legs, back, and underarms. The injectable treatment is a good alternative to surgical procedures, such as liposuction, because there is no downtime necessary for Kybella and a very low risk of significant side effects. Kybella is best for patients who are dealing with mild to moderate areas of stubborn fat. If patients are also experiencing high skin laxity in the treated area, Kybella treatment can be paired with skin tightening treatments, such as Thermage radiofrequency laser therapy.
Kybella injections vs. CoolSculpting treatment
CoolSculpting is a treatment that uses cryolipolysis to reduce stubborn fat and contour the body. Because fat freezes at a higher temperature than surrounding tissue, CoolSculpting uses extremely cold temperatures to rupture fat cells at the treatment area, causing them to be broken down and metabolized by the lymphatic system. With each CoolSculpting treatment session, the target fat bulge can be reduced by as much as 25%, and often, multiple treatment sessions are required to obtain optimal results. Sometimes, Dr. Green will combine CoolSculpting and Kybella treatments, using CoolSculpting to “debulk” an area of severe fat cell buildup before employing Kybella injections to dissolve fat cells further.
What are the side effects of Kybella treatment?
Kybella is a safe and effective treatment option for reducing unwanted fat cells under the chin and across the body. Like any injectable treatment, there are mild side effects that can occur at the injection site following the procedure, including swelling, bruising, redness, and soreness. To avoid bruising and swelling at the injection site, Dr. Green recommends that patients avoid blood thinners, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Motrin, in the week leading up to the treatment. Dr. Green will also apply a cold compress following the treatment to minimize the risk of swelling and bruising further. Some patients may experience hair loss around the injection site, but this is quite rare. If you receive treatment from an inexperienced injector, there is also a risk of nerve damage if Kybella is injected poorly.
Does arm skin sag after Kybella?
Kybella injectable treatment does not cause arm skin to sag following the procedure. However, if there is already sagging skin at the treatment site, the removal of the fat cells there may emphasize the appearance of lax skin. If patients are experiencing loose skin, Kybella treatment can be paired with a skin tightening procedure, such as Thermage laser therapy.
Will Kybella work for sagging arm skin?
Kybella injectable treatment works to eliminate areas of stubborn fat under the chin and on the body, but the treatment is not effective in eliminating sagging skin. However, Kybella can be paired with Thermage radiofrequency laser treatment, which is often considered the gold standard for skin tightening. Thermage is a non-invasive treatment option that uses emissions of radiofrequency laser energy to heat the inner layer of the skin to boost collagen production. Collagen helps to give the skin structure, smoothness, and support, so new collagen production helps to tighten the skin in the treated area. Similar to Kybella, Thermage skin tightening treatment requires no downtime following the procedure, and there are no risks of serious side effects.
Can you exercise after Kybella on the arms?
Patients can return to their regularly scheduled activities immediately after the Kybella procedure. However, Dr. Green recommends that patients avoid strenuous exercise and extreme heat for several days following the treatment. To avoid bruising and swelling, patients should keep the treated area elevated during the first day post-treatment and overnight.
Are Kybella results permanent on the arms?
While three to four treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results, once the treatments are done, Kybella’s results will be permanent. Kybella injections destroy the fat cells at the injection site, causing them to be metabolized by the body, which slims and contours the treated area. However, if patients gain weight following the procedure, new fat cells may develop at the treatment site.
How much is Kybella for arms?
The cost of Kybella for arms depends on several factors, including your geographic region, the type of institution at which you receive treatment, the size and scope of the treatment area, and whether you are pairing Kybella treatment with other procedures, such as Thermage, dermal fillers, or Botox. While seeking treatment from institutions like a MedSpa is generally less expensive, there is a higher risk of developing serious side effects when you receive treatment from a less experienced injector. That is why it is always best to schedule your treatment with an expert board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green. After your initial consultation with Dr. Green, her office can provide you with a nearer estimate of the total cost of treatment based on the number of vials Dr. Green believes to be necessary to reach your aesthetic goals.
How do I get started with Kybella treatment today?
Kybella is an innovative treatment designed to eliminate stubborn pockets on the arms without any downtime. For patients who are at or near their target weight and looking to contour their upper arms or any other treatment area on the body, Kybella injectable treatment is an ideal option. With the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, Kybella injections dissolve the membrane of fat cells, allowing them to be naturally metabolized by the body to slim and contour the treatment area. An excellent alternative to fat reduction plastic surgery, Kybella provides patients with fat removal and contouring permanently and without the need for any recovery time. The treatment can also be paired with skin tightening treatments like Thermage radiofrequency laser therapy for full body rejuvenation. The best way to get started with Kybella injectable treatment is to schedule your initial consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green today.
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 the unique concerns and aesthetic goals of her patients. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, 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 and find out if Kybella injections are the right treatment option for you.