Techniques for Kybella Treatment

Before starting treatment, your doctor will examine under and around your chin to determine if Kybella treatment is right for you.

If so, the doctor or nurse may first treat you with a topical numbing medicine or an ice pack to minimize pain and make sure you’re comfortable during the Kybella injections.

Your doctor will inject Kybella under the skin directly beneath your chin.

The injections are given in a series of up to 6 treatment sessions. In each session, you could receive up to 50 injections, each about 1 centimeter apart. Many people start to see results after as few as 2 sessions.

The injection process takes only 15 to 20 minutes. Treatment sessions should be spaced no less than 1 month apart.

Your doctor will determine the right number of sessions and right number of injections per session, depending on your condition and the results you seek.

Potential side effects

Kybella can cause serious side effects, including:

• Nerve injury in the jaw (which can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness)
• Trouble swallowing
• Injection site problems, including: bruising, hair loss, open sores (ulcers), damage, and tissue cell-death (necrosis) around the injection site. Call your healthcare provider if you develop open sores or drainage from the treatment area.

Side effects of Kybella treatment are usually mild and brief. They may include:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Numbness
• Redness
• Areas of hardness in the treatment area

Contact your doctor if you experience one or more of the following:

• Uneven smile
• Weakness in facial muscles
• Headache
• Pain in the mouth or throat
• Pounding in the ears
• Irregular heartbeat – fast or slow
• Trouble swallowing

Other potential side effects that may require medical attention include:

• Discoloration of skin: blue-green or black
• Cracking of skin
• Fainting
• Neck pain
• Pain, redness, or sloughing of skin at the injection site
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck

Potential side effects that may not require medical attention include:

• Bleeding, blistering, bruising, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, rash, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tightness of the skin, tingling, or warmth at the injection site
• Hair loss at the injection site
• Nausea

If you have a concern about any side effects, please contact your doctor.