Have you heard about Kybella, the permanent fat melting injections that have become a big rave in the US? Kybella has finally arrived in Australia (called Belkyra here) and Academy Laser Clinics has some of the few Doctors and Nurses selected and trained to offer this non-surgical fat reduction and neck lifting procedure.

Finally, you can Love the Chin Your In!

* This is a brand new procedure in Oz so above images are from the Kybella website. Watch this space and follow our social media as we bring you images of our own staff and patients soon.

Ageing, genetics and weight gain all contribute to the dreaded double chin, which can be very difficult to shift with exercise and dieting.  The majority of Australian women and more than 40% of men are concerned about excess fat around the chin.

Fat dissolving injections are great for nearly all men and women who have mild to moderate ‘submental’ fat (a double chin) and wish to have it reduced gradually without invasive surgery and with minimal downtime.

More severe chin fat may require a combination of treatments including Coolsculpt Mini, fat dissolving injections and Silhouette Soft Thread Lift to tighten the remaining skin.  In some instances, liposuction and/or surgical neck lift may be recommended as the optimal treatment program, which are available at our sister clinics in Sydney and Perth.

At the moment, Kybella is only approved for use on fat deposits under the chin. However, further studies are underway to determine it’s safety and efficacy when used on other unwanted fat deposits, such as back-fat!  For now, we shall stick to getting rid of the double chin.

The injection contains deoxycholic acid (DCA), a product that occurs naturally in the body and aids the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.  The manufacturers observed this interesting attribute years ago and set about replicating an injectable product that could achieve the same results.

DCA causes permanent destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells can no longer store or accumulate fat.  The existing fat deposit essentially melts away and is resorbed and eliminated by the body. However, this process is gradual and relatively slow. Patients may not notice visible results for up to 6 weeks after the second treatment sessions so its important to be a little patient and allow the injections to work their magic over time.

The neck skin also starts to firm and tighten over time. Again, this a gradual improvement so the results appear natural and progressive.  To enhance your neck lift, we recommend combining fat dissolving injections with Silhouette Soft Thread Lift about 4-6 weeks after your final injection session.

* Note – Patient results and the number of sessions required for optimal results will vary.

Treatment:

A Doctor or Registered Nurse consultation is required prior to treatment to explain the procedure, risks, answer any questions you may have and assess your suitability and potential results. If suitable, you may immediately proceed with first treatment. Most patients will need anywhere from 2-6 treatment sessions, spaced about 4 weeks apart. The number of vials required per session depends upon the size of the area to be treated.   A marking grid is used to determine this.

The procedure is quite straight forward. The neck area is numbed using ice-packs, numbing cream and/or local anaesthetic and you may take some paracetamol. A grid mark-up is overlaid on the area and there will be numerous injection points about 1 cm apart, taking about 15-20 minutes.

Please avoid Vitamin E, Fish Oils, blood thinning medications, anti-inflammatories and steroids for a week before and after treatment to minimise bruising and not to interfere with the intentional inflammatory response of the procedure.

It is very important that the product is injected into the correct tissue to avoid potential skin ulceration and/or damage to nerves, which can lead to temporary asymmetry in your smile.  For this reason, only have fat dissolving injections with a doctor or registered nurse who has been officially trained in this procedure.

Post-Treatment:

We will apply ice pack and monitor you for 15 minutes. You should expect some pain, bruising, swelling, redness and numbness. You may experience bleeding, itching and paraesthesia. Rare side effects include nodules and transient neuropraxia of a facial nerve, which causes smile asymmetry. In long term follow up no adverse effects on skin were noted.

We recommend the following post-treatment:

• Do not massage the area or engage in high impact sports for 3-4 days
• Use paracetamol for pain relief as required
• An appointment should be made for 4-6 weeks after the treatment for review and follow up treatment.

According to the long term (5 year) study data, Kybella (DCA) is a permanent fat reduction treatment.  The fat cells are destroyed and eliminated.  Other things you can do to ensure good results include:

• Follow the recommended post-treatment care precisely
• Wear sunscreen daily and avoid direct sunlight for extended periods
• Adopt a daily skin regime appropriate for your skin type and condition
• Eat a healthy diet
• Stop smoking and moderate alcohol consumption.

We offer complimentary consultations with our registered nurse injectors and you may immediately proceed with first treatment session.  If you would prefer consultation with one of our Doctors, this will incur a general consultation fee of $100.

Pricing is dependant on how many vials and how many sessions are required to achieve optimal results, but the following is a guide:

• 2 Vials x 2 sessions (total 4 Vials) = From A$2,500
• 3 Vials x 2 sessions (total 6 Vials) = From A$3,500
• First Trial Session $1,500 for 2 Vials
• Extra Vials at $625 per session

Kybella (DCA) injections may not be suitable for clients:

• With unrealistic or immediate expectations. Treatment typically requires 2-6 sessions and takes a few months to produce great results;
• With hypersensitivity to DCA;;
• With current infection in the area;
• Pregnant or breastfeeding; or
• Under 18 years of age.