Here Are Three Off-Label Kybella Procedures You Should Know About

Michele S. Green M.D., FAAD., is a Board-Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and has been an international leader in cosmetic dermatology for over 25 years. Upper East Side patients and those from the surrounding areas of New York City flock to her practice for a variety of cosmetic dermatology treatments. A graduate from Yale University, with an MD and Chief residency from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC, Dr. Green treats some of the most discerning, demanding women and men in the world, with issues ranging from premature skin aging to hyperpigmentation, rosacea, acne, skin laxity, hair loss, and sun damage.

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Haute Beauty Expert Dr. Michele S. Green skillfully performs the latest injections and dermatologic procedures such as Kybella. While Kybella has become synonymous with treating the "double chin," Dr. Green shows us three other areas which greatly benefit from the application of Kybella.

What is Kybella?

Kybella can be injected in a targeted way to dissolve the fat under the neck, or several other parts of the body, without any recovery time. Dr. Green was one of the first dermatologists in NYC to utilize Kybella as a treatment for submental fat in her discreet, private NYC office. Kybella is manufactured by Allergan cosmetics, the same maker of Botox injections and Juvederm dermal fillers. Kybella injections are a unique injectable treatment Dr. Green performs daily in her NYC office to dissolve the submental fullness and contour the jawline with no downtime.

Dr. Michele Green has been injecting Kybella since it was first FDA approved to dissolve fat cells as a painless treatment to permanently dissolve fat cells. Although Kybella was originally designed to use in the submental area to dissolve the “double chin,” Dr. Green successfully uses Kybella treatment to dissolve fat cells in other areas of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, and bra area to achieve the ultimate in nonsurgical body contouring. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Green has been consistently voted as one of the best cosmetic dermatologists in New York by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine. If you are interested in facing contouring and melting away your double chin, Dr. Green is here to help.

The active ingredient in Kybella is comprised of deoxycholic acid, which occurs naturally in the body, and aids in the absorption and breakdown of dietary fat. Kybella was under development for more than 9 years, by the Kythera Corporation, and has been the subject of over 20 clinical studies involving over 2,600 patients. Clinical trials went on for several years to ensure that Kybella injections were a safe and effective treatment for submental fat. Kybella is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which is a natural occurring molecule in the body that assists in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When Kybella is injected into the submental area, or double chin, these fat cells are quickly destroyed. This process of dissolving fat cells is called lipolysis. Kybella injections prevent these fat cells from accumulating fat in those cells which are destroyed. Over the coming weeks, typically 4 to 6 weeks after Kybella injections, these fat cells are cleared from the body through natural metabolic processes.

Since deoxycholic acid is a natural enzyme in the body, the mechanism of action is a more “natural” approach than surgery. In addition, except for some minor swelling after the injections, there is minimal recovery time and much fewer risks than in surgical procedures. The number of treatments needed will be determined at your consultation and the desired cosmetic results.

Kybella for Stomach Fat

Kybella can also be used around the upper and lower abdomen to treat belly fat. It is also known to be used to treat love handles, or the pockets of fat that sit at the side of the hips. The use of Kybella to treat body fat in this way is not common, though it can help to destroy fat cells in this area. For fat reduction in this treatment area it is more common to apply a treatment such as CoolSculpting instead. This can be a more popular treatment since it doesn’t involve injections and does not require as many sessions, whereas Kybella has to be repeated at least three times in a given area, depending on the amount of fat. 

That said, not everyone is a candidate for CoolSculpting as it depends on the patient’s body shape and the applicator needed. This is not the case with Kybella since it can remove pockets of fat in virtually any area of the body. 

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Kybella for Bra Fat and Armpit Fat

Another “off label” indication for which Kybella has been used for fat pockets in other areas of the body. One very popular place to have Kybella injected is the area in the back known as the “bra fat” or armpit fat (also known as “Brabella”). This area of fat is the result of many factors, including genetics, and hormones. Many patients have a fat bulge in the back or around their bra area and Kybella is a simple and effective way to permanently dissolve this fat. One of the advantages of Kybella is that a small area, no matter what size, can be treated with this injection.

Kybella for Inner Knee Fat

Even when patients are close to their target weight, there may be stubborn areas of fat that just won’t go away. For some patients, the pockets of fat on the inside of the knee can be difficult to get rid of and can spoil the ideal contouring of their legs. The good news is Kybella is a great cosmetic procedure to eliminate pockets of fat on the inner knee. The use of Kybella on the inner knee is an off-label use of the product, meaning that Kybella is not officially FDA-approved to treat this area of the body. During the FDA approval process, there are several rounds of clinical trials in order to determine how effective the treatment is. While Kybella has not had clinical trials to prove its effectiveness on the knees, board-certified dermatologists know that it is still safe and effective to use on that part of the body.

How do I Get Started with Kybella Today?

If you are frustrated with your neckline, jaw line, sagging jowls, or pockets of fat, Kybella may be the best treatment for you. Beyond the “double chin,” Kybella injections have revolutionized non-surgical body contouring. Dr. Michele Green is an expert in Kybella injections and has been consistently voted one of the best dermatologists in NYC for over 25 years. It’s time to find out more about Kybella injections and how you can remove fat on the upper neck and chin areas, and say goodbye to the “double chin.” To schedule a consultation today, contact Dr. Michele S. Green for additional information and to schedule an appointment to see if you are the right fit for Kybella or call 212 535 3088 today.

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