Skin by Lovely Injection  Specialist, Brittany Lehmann, PA-C, answers the most commonly asked questions about the FDA-approved fat-destroying injectable treatment, Kybella.

Q:     What is Kybella®?

A:     Kybella is one of Skin by Lovely’s non-surgical injectable treatments that is FDA-approved to permanently eliminate fat in the double-chin area.  Kybella’s active ingredient, Deoxycholic Acid, is similar to dermal filler’s Hyaluronic Acid in that it is also a naturally-occurring substance found in the body.

Q:    How many treatments of Kybella are needed?

A:     Most patients typically require about three treatments of Kybella spaced two months apart for optimal results.

Q:    What can someone expect immediately following their Kybella treatment?

A:    Immediately after your appointment, you will begin to experience some swelling of the treatment area. Many patients describe the sensation as a mild to moderate “pinching”, “burning” or “throbbing”.  This usually lasts anywhere from one to three hours.  Also expect some immediate redness and minor bruising of the injection site.

Q:    What about after that first day? What should a patient expect moving forward?

A:    The treatment area will become numb and usually remains numb for up to one month post-treatment.  The most noticeable swelling subsides over the first week following your Kybella treatment.  Patients typically remain mildly swollen for the next few weeks but it is typically not noticeable by others- even friends and family!

Q:    Why does Kybella cause swelling for that period of time?

A:    Deoxycholic Acid works by breaking down and dissolving fat cells. The swelling you’re experiencing is a result of Kybella’s mechanism of action.  We know if may sound counterintuitive, but that’s why we always remind our patients that the swelling after treatment is actually beneficial to their results.  The more swelling you have, the greater end result of of skin tightening.  So grab your favorite scarf or turtleneck and embrace your (only temporarily-noticeable, and soon to be slimmed) neckline!

Q:    Why do you recommend Kybella to your patients?

A:    At Skin by Lovely, we love Kybella most for creating a sharp jawline and enhancing the profile.  The submental region (double-chin) is a very difficult area to target and diminish fat on our own, even with diet and exercise.  As a part of a customized treatment plan alongside dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers, Kybella can be a game-changer for people’s results.

Interested in learning more about Kybella?

Contact Skin by Lovely to set up a consultation with one of our Injection Specialists today!

About Brittany Lehmann PA-C: Brittany Lehmann PA-C is an Injection Specialist at Skin by Lovely Santa Monica. Brittany is a board certified Physician Assistant who received her Masters in Medical Sciences from Midwestern University in 2015. Brittany is known by her patients for her compassionate personality and eye for all things beauty. She strives to bring out each patient’s inner confidence by enhancing their own natural features. Book online with Brittany here.