Get a beautifully contoured neck and profile

FDA-approved since 2015, Kybella is a minimally invasive injectable treatment that enhances the contour of the jawline and improves the appearance of a double chin. Although liposuction is the most widely used treatment to reduce a double chin, Kybella is an excellent alternative because it requires less interruption to your life. Dr. Halaas was hand-picked by Kybella’s manufacturer to be one of the first New York City physicians to offer this product, and is one of the few NYC plastic surgeons who has been trained to safely inject Kybella.

The science of Kybella: How it works

Deoxycholic acid is bile acid that we all have in our body to help dissolve fat. Kybella’s active ingredient is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which is how it works. When injected into the unwanted fat, it dissolves it just as it does naturally, inside our body. Once the fat is dissolved by the synthetic deoxycholic acid, it is permanently released from your body through the lymphatic system. 

Candidates for Kybella

Ideal candidates for Kybella are healthy and have moderate-to-severe fatty deposits beneath their chins. For individuals with sagging skin and excess fat, a neck lift surgery combined with liposuction may be recommended as a more comprehensive option. During your consultation with Dr. Halaas, she will determine if Kybella is the best treatment for your specific needs.

Kybella video

Kybella at Dr. Halaas’s NYC office: Paulette’s double-chin treatment

Before & After

Is Kybella safe?

When administered properly by a qualified practitioner such as Dr. Halaas, Kybella is a safe and effective procedure. There is a slight risk of nerve injury, which can lead to muscle weakness and problems swallowing. Dr. Halaas has gone through the approved training process and has sufficient experience with Kybella injections. As an experienced plastic surgeon, she will take all available precautions to minimize the chance adverse side effects.

Patient receiving injectable treatment

Treatment details

Kybella treatments are quick and convenient. They don’t cause significant patient discomfort, and no anesthesia is needed. In fact, a single treatment can be completed during a lunchtime appointment, and you can return to your normal routine immediately afterwards. Treatments take approximately 10-15 minutes. The under-chin area is usually numbed only with an ice pack, and then a dot grid will be applied to the area to help guide Dr. Halaas. She will then administer the injections.

Downtime and results

There is no downtime, but you may experience minor side effects such as temporary redness, bruising, numbness, and swelling. These symptoms usually resolve within 24-48 hours. 

Over the course of a month (once swelling has subsided) you will notice that the excess submental fat has reduced significantly. At your follow-up appointment, it will be decided if more injections are needed, but many patients only require one. If weight fluctuations are kept in check, results from Kybella can be long-lasting.

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Written by Dr. Halaas

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