Kybella
Deoxycholic Acid — AllerganKybella is the first and only FDA-approved injectable for the reduction of submental fat — the pocket beneath the chin commonly called a 'double chin'. The active molecule, deoxycholic acid, is a synthetic version of a bile acid your body already uses to break down dietary fat. Once injected, the destroyed fat cells are permanently cleared and cannot regrow.
SilhouetteThe science, plainly.
Deoxycholic acid is injected as a grid of small doses into the submental fat. The molecule disrupts fat-cell membranes selectively — fat cells lyse and are cleared by the lymphatic system over the following weeks. Because deoxycholic acid preferentially targets fat, surrounding tissues are largely unaffected. Treated cells do not regenerate.
What to expect in the room.
Marking and topical numbing, then a grid of 20 to 50 small injections under the chin. Each session takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Expect immediate swelling — sometimes significant — that resolves over 1 to 2 weeks. Mild bruising and tenderness are common.
Apply cold compresses for the first 24 hours. Sleep elevated for 3 nights. Expect the swollen 'bullfrog' phase to last 3 to 5 days.
The honest timeline.
Individual response varies. What follows is the typical arc we observe in our clinic.
- 01Days 1 to 7
Significant swelling and tenderness — expected and managed.
- 02Week 4 to 6
First contour improvements become visible.
- 03After Series
Final result emerges 12 weeks after the last session and is permanent so long as weight remains stable.
The questions we hear most.
- How many sessions will I need?
- Most clients require 2 to 4 sessions for a visible result; some need up to 6 depending on the volume of submental fat. We re-evaluate after each session to decide whether another is warranted.
- Is the result permanent?
- Yes. Treated fat cells are destroyed and cleared by the body — they cannot regenerate. Remaining untreated cells can still expand with weight gain, so the result depends on maintaining a stable weight.
- What does the swelling look like?
- Honest version: the first 24 to 72 hours are often quite swollen, sometimes called the 'bullfrog' phase. Most clients schedule socially around the first week. The swelling is the medication doing its work.