It is a myth that only morbidly obese people have double chins. In fact, if you look around, you will notice that the slim, elegant lady sipping coffee next to you has a double chin, or your fit running buddy with a 6-pack has a double chin. One study suggests that 68% of people have some concern with their double chin! Until recently, liposuction has been the only effective treatment for submental fat, or the double chin.

However, 2 players have now entered the scene, both with proven efficacy and safety. We offer CoolSculpting and KYBELLA double chin treatments at AlluraDerm MD Med Spa in Albuquerque. Learn more about each below.

Coolsculpting

The FDA has recently given expanded clearance to medical technology company ZELTIQ® Aesthetics, Inc., for its new applicator. Designed to target small, stubborn areas of fat under the neck and other areas of the body, the CoolMini™ promises the same efficacy as other CoolSculpting treatments after 2 sessions.

Treatments are noninvasive, and most patients can return to normal activities immediately following treatment. This fat loss can be long-lasting, just as with other areas treated with CoolSculpting. However, as with other treatment areas, there is a special skill set involved to reduce serious complications and produce natural-looking, contoured results. This is perhaps even more true in the neck where there are numerous critical structures and where an unnatural result may mean wearing a turtle neck, even in summer.

CoolScultping before and after

KYBELLA

The FDA has also recently given the clearance for KYBELLA to be used to treat moderate to severe submental fat. KYBELLA is deoxycholic acid, which is the same acid our body uses to dissolve fat we eat. It is the first and only FDA-approved injectable drug that can help improve the appearance of a double chin. More than 1,000 patients have been scientifically studied regarding the safety and efficacy of KYBELLA.

Fat cells that are dissolved by KYBELLA do not return, thus it is a permanent treatment. The procedure is quick, and most patients can return to work immediately. However, there is a reasonable amount of swelling, and bruising is common. Although KYBELLA is very safe, it is not benign.

“Treatment with KYBELLA should only be provided by a licensed professional, and patients should fully understand the risks associated with use of the drug before considering treatment,” said Amy G. Egan, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Hence, the safety and efficacy lies in the hands of the injector.

KYBELLA before and after 1

KYBELLA before and after 2

How Do You Choose Between CoolScultping & KYBELLA?

The key is to find a physician who offers both treatments so he or she can help you decide which treatment is best suited to you. The best place to go to is a practice that is the top provider in both treatments. Thus, they will advise you on what is best for you and not just what they are capable of providing.

For example, having fat in the middle is quite different from fat spreading to the sides, treating a 78-year-old patient is quite different from treating an 18-year-old patient, and having fat that is “tight” is quite different from having fat that is “loose.” The list goes on.

However, before hopping on the bandwagon to get rid of the double chin to improve your selfie photos or FaceTime image, here is something to consider. There are many critical structures in your neck:

  • Major blood vessels to your brain
  • Nerves that keep your vocal cords open so you can breathe
  • Your windpipe, or breathing tube

As a physician anesthesiologist who has practiced for 15 years, I have seen many life-threatening events such as breathing issues whenever a procedure has been performed on the neck. Although we don’t anticipate these treatments to be a concern, it is always reassuring for my patients to have an experienced anesthesiologist around when they are being treated.

If you are interested in learning more about either of these double chin treatments, contact us for a consultation.