In the world of non-invasive fat-reduction treatments to sculpt the area under the chin, commonly known as the double chin, there are two treatment choices: Kybella and CoolSculpting. Both options work towards the same goal of eliminating submental fullness, but each works differently. Kybella harnesses the fat-dissolving power of deoxycholic acid in an injectable form to contour and slim the area over a series of treatments. In contrast, CoolSculpting uses cold to freeze fat in the chin area. So, if you're considering Kybella vs. CoolSculpting to get rid of fat under your chin and create a more defined profile, there's much to know to determine which one is right for you.
Understanding Kybella for Fat Reduction
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that targets stubborn pockets of unwanted fat under the chin. The main ingredient is synthetic deoxycholic acid, which is naturally found in the body. Deoxycholic acid helps destroy fat cells and clear them out via natural metabolic processes. With Kybella, only fat cells are targeted, so there's no need to worry about other cells or tissues being affected by the treatment.
While some injectors may use Kybella off-label, its intended purpose is to sculpt the area under the chin and eliminate excess fat. During a Kybella injection session (several are needed to reach optimal results), first, your injector will mark up the exact areas to inject with Kyeblla using a grid-like tattoo. Next, a mult-prong injecting tool delivers Kybella into the chin, which starts to break down the fat. The acid slowly works to melt away the fat cell's outer layer. It releases the fat inside, causing it to eventually be eliminated from the body for a permanently better-contoured chin and jawline.
Although the injections are fast, there will be a slight stinging sensation. No downtime is required with Kybella, but the chin area will swell and be red (it can also temporarily turn numb) after the injections.
Kybella requires several sessions, as many as six, depending on the amount of fat under the chin. During your consultation, we will assess the area and give you a better idea of the exact number of treatment sessions you'll benefit from. The injections are spread out over two-month intervals so that we can best assess the results.
CoolSculpting for Non-Invasive Fat Removal
CoolSculpting is a different modality that relies on cryotherapy to eliminate fat. It has over seven FDA-approved indications, making it suitable for use all over the body. The chin area is one of the most popular treatment zones.
CoolSculpting utilizes a specialized type of controlled cooling known as cryolipolysis. A non-invasive applicator is applied to the chin area, delivering a controlled dose of cold directly to the skin. By lowering the temperature through the handpiece, the fat in the area freezes and then bursts, causing fat cell death. Over the coming weeks, the fat cells are ushered out of the body. Only the fat cells are killed, but plenty of reported adverse effects can occur during CoolSculpting.
Comparing Kybella vs. CoolSculpting
Kybella and Coolsculpting can improve the contours of the chin, jawline, and neck contours to permanently remove excess fat and create a more defined-looking chin-to-jawline junction. Although both options are considered non-surgical and require no anesthesia or downtime, CoolSculpting feels far more unpleasant and has more severe reported side effects.
Neither CoolSculpting or Kybella are one-time treatments. A series of sessions is necessary to achieve the desired result, which isn't immediate either. Kybella offers a more noticeable difference faster than CoolSculpting, which takes at least three months, if not longer, for a change to be seen.
Since Kybella is performed via injection, the treatment's precision is far superior to CoolSculpting. Plus, since a needle is used to deliver Kybella vs. CoolSculpting, which uses a bulkier applicator, smaller areas can be targeted more precisely. Still, multiple treatments are necessary for both.
The healing process for both is different, too. With CoolSculpting, there's far more swelling, bruising, and discomfort, plus a hard feeling under the skin, while with Kybella, there's still swelling and the potential for redness and bruising, but it dissipates faster and is not as extreme.
With CoolSculpting, expect to spend almost double or triple what Kybella costs. Both CoolSculpting and Kybella treatment costs will vary from patient to patient because of the number of treatments needed to achieve maximum results. During a consultation, we can determine the exact cost of your treatment.
Make the Charette Cosmetics Choice with Kybella
While both CoolSculpting and Kybella are effective and provide long-lasting results, we recommend Kybella over CoolSculpting for its proven track record, affordability, and faster results. Kybella is also a more comfortable procedure that can more precisely target the chin and jawline area.
If you're interested in discussing how we can help improve the contour of your chin area, contact us and schedule a consultation today!
