According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery's 2015 Consumer Survey,
67 percent of consumers say that they have excess fat under their chins or necks. Kybella, a non-surgical technique that involves injecting deoxycholic acid into chin fat, has become a popular way for people to resolve this perceived problem.
At BodContour, we don't use Kybella injections to treat patients. We do, however, believe that people deserve access to accurate information about their weight loss options. That includes knowing how Kybella works and the procedure's risks.
How Kybella Reduces Chin Fat
Kybella uses deoxycholic acid to destroy chin fat. Deoxycholic acid is a type of bile acid similar to the acids that stomachs use to digest food. By injecting the acid directly into fat cells, doctors can improve their patients' appearances without relying on invasive techniques like liposuction.
Short-Term Common Side Effects of Kybella
At least one clinical trial finds that Kybella is a
safe, effective way to reduce fat. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Cleared the procedure in 2015, so the government also believes that Kybella poses negligible risks to patients.
Still, some people do experience unwanted side effects. The most common short-term side effects of Kybella include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
These side effects typically occur at the injection site. Unwanted side effects usually disappear within two weeks of the procedure.
Serious Side Effects Associated With Kybella Injections
Although most patients say that they're satisfied with the results of Kybella injections, a small percentage of people experience serious side effects like:
- Uneven smiles
- Nerve damage in the jaw
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness in facial muscles
Currently, no one knows how often these serious side effects happen. It's likely a very small number of patients, though. Otherwise, we would probably find more reports conducted by journalists and medical professionals.
Still, it's important for people to know that there are risks to getting Kybella injections. The risks are low, but they exist.
All medical procedures come with some level of risk. Patients interested in learning more about the risks of various weight loss options can
contact BodContour for more information. We're happy to provide the information that we have about BodContour and the other weight loss procedures available to people in the United States.