New Option for Treating Double Chin

A novel, nonsurgical treatment that destroys submental fat cells could eliminate the commonly termed “double chin”.

Kybella is a cytolytic drug identical in formulation to naturally produced deoxycholic acid, which helps the body absorb fats. When properly injected into submental fat, it physically destroys the cell membrane. The procedure involves as many as 20–30 injections in a single treatment, with most patients being treated somewhere between two and four times to achieve the desired outcome. The treatments are done no less than one month apart, and the number of treatments depends on the amount of fat and other factors determined during a consultation.


Kybella should not be used outside of the submental area, and it should not be used if there is an infection at the injection site. Caution should also be used in patients who have had prior surgical or aesthetic treatment of the submental area. Kybella can also cause serious side effects, including nerve injury or facial muscle weakness, and trouble swallowing. The most common side effects include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and areas of hardness in the treatment area. Kybella is a product of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals (Westlake Village, CA, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Treatment with Kybella should only be provided by a licensed healthcare professional, and patients should fully understand the risks associated with use of the drug before considering treatment,” said Amy Egan, MD, MPH, deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “It is important to remember that Kybella is only approved for the treatment of fat occurring below the chin, and it is not known if Kybella is safe or effective for treatment outside of this area.”

“We will likely see a different patient type seeking treatment with Kybella. Those averse to surgery, including more men, will likely be interested in this new nonsurgical treatment for the "double chin,” said Bardia Amirlak, MD, an assistant professor of plastic surgery at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern (Dallas, USA).

Related Links:
Kythera Biopharmaceuticals
UT Southwestern