Submental fat pad
The primary FDA-approved indication — the pocket of fat directly beneath the chin that creates a double-chin appearance on profile view.
Kybella in Irvine
Injectables · Submental Contouring
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Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable — not a neurotoxin — that uses synthetic deoxycholic acid to permanently reduce moderate to severe submental fat beneath the chin. Once treated fat cells are destroyed and cleared by the body, they cannot store fat again. At Aurevia, our injectors map your chin and jawline anatomy to deliver precise, natural-looking contouring without surgery.
Kybella Before & Afters
Swipe to next · Individual results may vary · All photos shown with each patient's written consent.
Is Kybella Right for You?
- You have moderate to severe submental fullness (a "double chin") caused by fat — not primarily by loose skin or a recessed chin bone
- You are 18+ and in good general health, with a stable weight and a chin profile that responds well to fat reduction
- You are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy imminently
- You have realistic expectations about temporary swelling and bruising — often noticeable for several days after each session
- You understand Kybella is a series treatment: most patients need 2–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for optimal contour
A consultation confirms candidacy and maps your submental anatomy. Kybella destroys fat cells permanently — only treat areas where you want lasting reduction.
Submental Anatomy
Where Kybella Works
Deoxycholic acid is injected into targeted pockets of subcutaneous fat. Understanding chin, jawline, and submental anatomy helps you know what Kybella can refine — and what may require a different approach.
Kybella Treatment Zones
Pre-jowl sulcus
The crease along the jawline where submental fat meets the lower face — treating here can soften jowl shadowing when fat is the main contributor.
Central chin pad
Focused injections into the mid-submental region for patients with a prominent central fat deposit rather than diffuse fullness.
Lateral submental
Fat extending toward the jaw angles — carefully mapped to preserve natural jawline definition and avoid over-reduction.
Jawline transition
The zone where chin meets neck — Kybella can sharpen this transition when excess fat blurs the mandibular border.
Platysmal band adjacency
While Kybella targets fat — not muscle — reducing submental bulk can make neck bands less prominent; platysmal bands themselves may need neurotoxin treatment.
What Kybella does not treat
Loose neck skin, a weak or recessed chin bone, or significant skin laxity require fillers, skin tightening, or surgical options — not deoxycholic acid alone. We assess all three layers during consultation.
Your Kybella Treatment Plan
Kybella is not a one-and-done treatment for most patients. Results build gradually across a series of sessions — each spaced to allow swelling to resolve before the next round of injections.
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Consultation & mapping
We evaluate your chin profile, pinch the submental fat, and distinguish fat from skin laxity or bone structure. A personalized injection grid is marked to target only the fat you want gone.
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Session one — initial treatment
Synthetic deoxycholic acid is injected into the submental fat pad through a series of small injections. Most sessions take 15–20 minutes. Swelling and bruising typically peak within the first week.
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Recovery between sessions
Expect 4–6 weeks between treatments. During this window, destroyed adipocytes are cleared by the body and contour begins to refine. Compression garments or ice may ease swelling.
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Sessions two through six
Most patients require 2–6 total sessions depending on fat volume and desired definition. Each session builds on the last — fat cells destroyed in prior treatments are gone permanently.
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Final contour & maintenance
Once optimal submental contour is achieved, no maintenance injections are needed for treated fat — those cells cannot return. Weight gain can affect untreated areas; we discuss lifestyle factors at follow-up.
The Science
What Is Kybella?
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in dietary fat breakdown. When injected into subcutaneous fat beneath the chin, it destroys adipocyte cell membranes — the fat cells rupture and are permanently eliminated through the body's natural metabolic processes.
Unlike neurotoxins such as Botox or Dysport, Kybella does not relax muscles. It is a fat-reduction injectable. The FDA approved Kybella in 2015 specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe submental fat — making it the first and only nonsurgical injectable cleared for double chin reduction.
Once a fat cell is destroyed and cleared, it cannot store fat again. That permanence is what sets Kybella apart from temporary wrinkle treatments — though achieving your final contour typically requires patience across multiple sessions at our Irvine clinic.
Sessions Needed
Typically 2–6 treatments. Most Irvine Kybella patients need multiple sessions to reach their goal. Sessions are spaced 4–6 weeks apart to allow swelling to subside and results to become visible before the next round. Your injector assesses progress at each visit and adjusts the plan accordingly.
Swelling & Side Effects
Swelling and bruising are common. Submental swelling — sometimes called the "bullfrog" effect — can be significant for several days to two weeks after each session. Numbness, hardness, and tenderness at injection sites are also frequently reported. These effects resolve as the body clears destroyed fat cells.
Results Timeline
Gradual, permanent fat reduction. Visible contour improvement often begins 4–6 weeks after the first session and continues to refine with each subsequent treatment. Fat cells eliminated by Kybella are gone for good — no maintenance injections required once your target contour is achieved.
How Much Does Kybella Cost?
Priced per vial or per session. Irvine Kybella sessions typically range from $600 – $1,400 per treatment, depending on vials used and treatment area size. A full series of 2–6 sessions represents the total investment. We provide a transparent quote at consultation — including an estimated number of sessions for your anatomy.
Submental fullness can persist even at a healthy weight — genetics and anatomy, not lifestyle alone, often determine chin contour. At Aurevia, our Irvine injectors combine precise submental mapping with an honest conversation about swelling, session count, and realistic timelines so you achieve a sharper profile without surgery.Aurevia Skincare · Irvine
Kybella FAQs
How many Kybella sessions will I need?
Most patients require 2–6 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart. The exact number depends on the volume of submental fat, your desired contour, and how your body responds to each treatment. Your Aurevia injector evaluates progress at every visit and adjusts the plan — some patients achieve their goal in two sessions; others need the full series.
Are Kybella results permanent?
Yes — for the fat cells that are treated. Kybella destroys adipocyte cell membranes, and once those cells are cleared by the body, they cannot store fat again. That is a key difference from neurotoxins, which wear off in months. Weight gain can still affect untreated fat deposits elsewhere, but the submental area treated with Kybella retains its reduction.
How does Kybella compare to liposuction?
Both remove submental fat, but through different mechanisms. Liposuction is a surgical procedure with immediate fat removal, anesthesia, and recovery time — ideal for larger fat volumes. Kybella is nonsurgical: no incisions, no anesthesia, but multiple sessions and significant swelling between treatments. Liposuction may be better for large deposits; Kybella suits patients who prefer injectables and can tolerate a gradual, multi-visit process.
What is the downtime after Kybella?
There is no required bed rest, but plan for visible swelling and bruising under the chin for several days to two weeks after each session — sometimes more pronounced after early treatments. Many patients wear scarves or turtlenecks during recovery. Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours and follow your injector's aftercare instructions. Social downtime varies; discuss timing with us if you have an event approaching.
Who is a good candidate for Kybella?
Ideal candidates have moderate to severe submental fat with good skin elasticity and a stable weight. You should be 18+, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and realistic about temporary swelling. Kybella works best when excess fullness is fat — not loose skin or a recessed chin. During consultation we assess all three layers and recommend Kybella, an alternative, or a combination approach.
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Aurevia is the premier Irvine skincare clinic for aesthetic and beauty treatments. Discover whether Kybella is right for your chin profile with a complimentary consultation from our highly trained injectors.