KYBELLA® vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?

A double chin can be one of the hardest areas to change on your own. Even with a healthy diet and exercise, extra fullness beneath the jawline, known as submental fullness, often refuses to budge. Many people consider options such as KYBELLA or liposuction as a solution. 

KYBELLA is a nonsurgical treatment that uses a series of targeted injections to break down and destroy fat cells over time. Liposuction, on the other hand, removes fat cells from the body through a surgical procedure. 

At About Face & Body Medical Spa, Michelle Osborne-Spencer, PA, helps patients understand both treatments and decide which one better fits their goals. Call today to schedule a consultation in Katy, TX, and get a recommendation tailored to you. 

What causes fat under the chin? 

Submental fullness can develop for several reasons, and weight is only part of the picture. Some common causes include:  

• Genetics: If a double chin runs in your family, you may be more likely to develop one yourself. 
• Aging: As skin loses elasticity, the area beneath the jawline can begin to sag and look fuller. 
• Weight fluctuations: Gaining weight over time can enlarge the fat cells in this area. 

The good news? Treatments like KYBELLA injections or liposuction can address fat under the chin and make the area appear slimmer. 

How does KYBELLA work? 

KYBELLA is an injectable treatment made with a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a molecule your body produces to help break down dietary fat. When placed beneath the chin, it destroys the fat cells so they can no longer store fat. Your body then flushes them out gradually over the following weeks. 

So, does KYBELLA work? For most patients, yes. Results build over a series of sessions, usually two to four spaced about a month apart, and the change tends to look natural because it happens gradually. KYBELLA injections take around 15 – 20 minutes, and most people return to their normal routine the same day. Once the treated cells are cleared away, they do not return, though maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results. Michelle will map out a treatment plan based on how much fullness you want to reduce. 

What liposuction in Katy involves 

Liposuction takes a surgical approach to the same concern. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through a small incision to physically remove fat cells from beneath the chin. Because the fat is taken out all at once, results appear faster and can be more dramatic than what injectables typically provide. 

The trade-off is a more involved process. Liposuction requires anesthesia, a short recovery period, and often a compression garment while the area heals. It may be a better fit for patients with a larger amount of submental fullness or those who would rather complete one procedure than schedule multiple appointments. For many patients, the decision comes down to how much correction they need, how quickly they want results, and how they feel about surgery. 

Take the next step toward a slimmer profile 

Are you concerned about a double chin? Whether you prefer the gradual, nonsurgical results of KYBELLA injections or the more immediate outcome of surgery, there's an option to match your comfort level and goals. 

If you have questions such as, "How does KYBELLA work?" or want to compare both treatments in person, Michelle Osborne-Spencer at About Face & Body Medical Spa is here to help. Schedule a consultation in Katy, TX today and find out which approach to fat under the chin is right for you.