When it comes to getting rid of the annoying and dreaded double chin, there are two main options: Kybella and liposuction. Choosing between Kybella vs. liposuction may leave you debating the two and wondering which one is better to create a better-defined jawline and eliminate pockets of excess fat under the chin. Even if you diet and exercise, sometimes a procedure is just what you need to create a more chiseled-looking chin. So, to help you weigh the pros and cons of Kybella vs. liposuction, we are sharing all the need-to-know details of each and how they stack up to one another so you can make the right choice.
How Kybella Works for Fat Reduction
Kybella is the best way to target unwanted fat under the chin noninvasively. The FDA-approved injectable breaks down fat cells in the area upon contact thanks to a bile acid naturally found in the body’s digestive system. It helps to break down fat before it can be digested properly. Deoxycholic acid, this active ingredient, is what Kybella relies on to break down and dissolve fat in the chin. 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.
When using Kybella to treat a double chin, several injections are used strategically under the chin (usually in a grid-like pattern) and around the jawline to signal exactly which areas contain fat cells to destroy them. Although the injections are quick, you may feel a brief stinging sensation. No downtime is required with Kybella, but the chin area will swell and be red (it can also turn numb temporarily) after the injections, so make sure you don’t have any special events or big plans and that you can, if you choose to, camouflage the swelling with appropriate clothing.
Kybella typically 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 after each session.
How Liposuction Works for Surgical Fat Removal
Kybella vs. liposuction are very different, and the most significant negative aspect of liposuction is that it is invasive surgery. Of all the areas where liposuction can be done, chin liposuction, which permanently removing fat cells from under the chin and around the jawline is one of the more accessible treatment areas, but it is still surgery, which is never anything to take lightly.
During liposuction, a small incision is made under the chin, which leaves behind a scar. Through that incision, a tiny tube with suction, known as a cannula, removes the fat cells in the area. Although liposuction to the chin can be done quickly, you’ll need to plan for close to one week of recovery and downtime. Some surgeons use local anesthesia over general anesthesia for this type of small-volume liposuction, which allows for a somewhat easier recovery. You’ll likely also need pain medication and antibiotics to help mitigate any discomfort and infections.
A notable difference between Kybella and liposuction is that the fat is removed instantly with liposuction. However, there will still be swelling, and the final results may not be seen for months. Plus, both fat removal techniques do not remove saggy or excess skin, and liposuction can sometimes highlight extreme skin laxity.
With liposuction, the risks are far more extreme than with Kybella. Bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve injury, and irregularities are all potential complications to be aware of.
Like Kybella, liposuction will leave the area under the chin and the jawline looking more contoured and youthful.
Comparing Kybella vs. Liposuction
Kybella and liposuction will leave the chin area with swelling, bruising, numbness, and discomfort, but the effects are more severe with surgery than with Kybella because liposuction is more invasive. While you may be able to reach your ideal chin goals with one liposuction surgery, several Kybella injections are required to achieve a similar result. Still, they come with no downtime, which isn’t the same with surgery.
For those who can’t undergo surgery, are scared of anesthesia, can’t take one week off from work or daily life, want more of a gradual change, or don’t want to have surgery, Kybella is an excellent option. Remember that while both Kybella and liposuction are pricey procedures, you’ll need to factor in anesthesia costs and recovery time with liposuction but not with Kybella. For the most part, even if you need the maximum number of Kybella sessions, liposuction will always be far more expensive.
Since liposuction is surgery and requires an entry point and incisions, there will always be a permanent scar under your chin. But that’s not the case with Kybella. No cuts are made so that no resulting scar will be present.
For a downtime-free yet effective way to contour the area under the chin so it’s more defined, we highly recommend Kybella over liposuction. Our patients are thrilled with the results of their Kybella treatments, and once they get rid of their double chin, they have a very newfound sense of self-confidence.
If you are ready to start your Kybella journey today, get one step closer to a more defined chin, and kiss your double chin goodbye, schedule a consultation today. Our team of aesthetic experts can help you determine the exact number of injection sessions you need and design a personalized program for a holistic, rejuvenated look.
