According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the South Atlantic region, including Florida, saw over 6.31 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in 2023 alone. Most were for neuromodulator injectables like Botox and Daxxify and hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. However, nearly 180,000 were for non-invasive fat reduction, including Kybella.
Unlike the ultra-popular procedure liposuction, Kybella doesn’t involve surgery. Because of its minimally invasive nature, this injectable has become one of the most popular cosmetic facial treatments.
But what exactly is it, and how much is Kybella? Most importantly, are Kybella treatment costs worth it?
Join our team here at St. Pete Wellness Med Spa in St. Petersburg, Florida, as we answer all those questions and more in this comprehensive overview and Kybella treatment cost guide.
What Is Kybella?
Kybella is the brand name of synthetic deoxycholic acid, a substance that the body also naturally produces. It helps break down fats and makes them more easily digested.
According to a press release published on PRNewswire.com, Kybella received FDA approval on April 29, 2015. The approval allows trained specialists to inject it under a patient’s chin. The goal is to destroy the submental fat cells behind the common condition known as “double chin.”
While a double chin results from excess fat buildup under the chin, it’s not as easy to eliminate with exercise, diet, or weight loss treatments alone. In addition to weight gain, genetics also affect the formation and accumulation of fat in this area. Some people have a genetic predisposition to have a double chin.
Age is another factor that can contribute to submental fat. As Medline Plus explains, body fat steadily increases after 30. Indeed, older folks may even gain one-third more fat than when they were younger.
Regardless of the reason behind your double chin, Kybella injections can help reduce it and improve your jawline and overall appearance. Combining them with other effective strategies, such as eating healthily and staying physically active to lose weight safely, can enhance and prolong the results.
So, How Much Is Kybella in St. Pete, FL?
The cost of double chin reduction with Kybella depends on:
- Your chosen provider in St. Petersburg, FL
- The amount of submental fat you have
- Your personal treatment goals
The last two factors will dictate the number of Kybella treatment sessions and vials you need to get your desired results. To give you a more concrete idea, here at St. Pete Wellness Med Spa in St. Petersburg, FL, we only charge $550 for the first Kybella vial. If you need two or more, you’ll only pay $500 for the succeeding vials.
Your Chosen Kybella Provider
Please remember that Kybella is a prescription medication. Only a trained healthcare specialist can and must administer it. So, if you encounter a price that seems too good to be true, please take that as a red flag.
At St. Pete Wellness Med Spa, our team consists of highly experienced and licensed professionals headed by our good doctor of osteopathic medicine, Dr. DeLucia.
Amount of Submental Fat
The more fat deposits under the chin, the more deoxycholic acid you need to destroy the fat cells there. So, if you have more considerable submental fat, you’ll need multiple Kybella treatments, which calls for more vials, to achieve the best results.
Personal Treatment Goals
Do you simply want to minimize the appearance of your double chin? Or perhaps you want to smoothen it as much as possible for the most contoured jawline look. If it’s the latter, you’ll likely need a few vials of Kybella, increasing your overall treatment cost.
If you’re unsure, your best option is to seek professional advice from our St. Pete Wellness Med Spa team. We’ll happily provide you with an in-depth, personalized consultation in which we will:
- Listen to your aesthetic needs and goals
- Create a customized treatment plan tailored to your requirements and preferences
- Discuss how many Kybella treatments you’ll need
- Explain the pricing and explore payment plans
Please feel free to ask any questions about Kybella (or our other cosmetic services) during your initial consultation with our team. We’ll do our best to provide clear, transparent answers to help you understand what the treatment entails and its benefits.
How Does Kybella Differ From Other Double Chin Reduction Procedures?
Please note that Kybella remains the only FDA-approved injectable drug for double chin reduction. The agency also warns against using other fat-dissolving injections marketed and sold online that haven’t received FDA approval. Such products haven’t undergone the same stringent, rigorous testing as Kybella, and using them can lead to unwanted, highly unpleasant side effects and even significant safety risks.
However, there are other FDA-approved treatments and methods for reducing submental fat, such as liposuction and double chin surgery. As surgical procedures, though, they carry more risks and have longer recovery times than Kybella.
What Should You Expect During a Kybella Procedure?
During a Kybella treatment, your healthcare provider will mark the treatment sites with a marker. The specialist will use the marked sites as a guide for where to administer the injections.
Before the procedure, your Kybella provider may administer cold therapy (e.g., an ice pack) or a topical numbing agent to minimize discomfort or pain.
The specialist will then administer tiny injections under your chin. Again, the number of injections will depend on your pre-discussed treatment goals. In most cases, each session lasts for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Once injected, deoxycholic acid will gradually destroy fat cells in the double chin area. The body will then metabolize the fats over the following weeks.
As the body metabolizes and eliminates more fat cells, you should see progressive improvements in your chin area. You should observe a more youthful appearance and sculpted jawline within the weeks following your treatment.
How Do You Prepare for a Kybella Injection?
Because Kybella injections are non-surgical and minimally invasive, they don’t require the same significant amount of preparation as surgical procedures like liposuction and double chin surgery. However, to make the process as smooth as possible, it is still best to follow the guidelines below.
Talk to Your Primary Healthcare Provider
Before getting Kybella, please consult your primary healthcare provider and tell them you’re considering getting this treatment, especially if you:
- Take medications, particularly antiplatelet or anticoagulants (blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, or warfarin)
- Use supplements like vitamin E, ginseng, or ginkgo biloba, which can affect the blood’s ability to clot
- Plan to get pregnant or are pregnant
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe other medications before your Kybella treatment and advise you to stop supplementation temporarily.
It is not known if Kybella can affect unborn babies. For this reason, it’s best to be cautious if you plan to become pregnant or are carrying a baby.
We’ll also ask you the above during your consultation with St. Pete Wellness Med Spa. Please let us know so we can carefully plan your Kybella treatment and determine whether it’s safe to proceed.
Mind the Possible Side Effects
As the U.S. CDC notes, all medicines, whether prescription drugs like Kybella, over-the-counter medications, or even supplements, carry the risk of causing side effects or “adverse drug events” (ADEs). Proper use and administration help minimize these risks, but they can still occur in some cases.
So, while Kybella is generally well-tolerated, it may still cause minor side effects like:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Numbness
- Discomfort or pain
Even if you experience the above, they should subside within one to two weeks. Please immediately inform your Kybella provider if they don’t improve within two weeks.
You should also consider scheduling Kybella sessions several weeks before a significant event, such as a job interview, wedding, or corporate gathering. You can also book the appointment soon after the event.
Take Extra Care When Washing Your Face
It’s only safe to administer Kybella injections to an injury-free treatment area. So, please expect your healthcare provider to reschedule your treatment if they find a wound, rash, or open sore on or near your chin.
For the same reason, please pay more attention and be more careful when washing your face to avoid injuries, such as scratches. You should also avoid using harsh scrubs, bleaching agents, or retinoids several days before and after your Kybella treatment.
Avoid Alcohol
Although Kybella treatments use tiny injections, they still penetrate the skin. So, while they’re super small, they’re still technically injuries.
Alcohol, which acts as a blood thinner, can impede the body’s ability to heal and recover from injuries. For this reason, you should avoid it before any medical treatment, even minor ones like Kybella, and even more so if you’re undergoing a significant procedure. Its consumption can lead to complications because it can:
- Increase bleeding
- Interfere with the blood’s ability to clot
- Make you more likely to experience bruising
Alcohol may also raise one’s risk for complications after a procedure, as it can weaken the immune system and cause inflammation. So, as much as possible, please avoid drinking alcoholic beverages a week or two before your Kybella sessions.
Is the Cost of Kybella Worth It?
A study of 1,996 respondents published on PubMed Central in 2018 looked into the effects of submental fat among U.S. adults. It found an association between chin fat and negative behaviors and feelings. It also noted that the more submental fat a person has, the more negative their self-perception was, such as feeling so embarrassed that they:
- Wear clothing to conceal their neck
- Avoid conference calls and video chats
- Find posting selfies and photographs stressful
- Grew a beard
Considering those findings, a double chin can negatively affect self-confidence and self-esteem. No wonder the study’s researchers concluded that reducing submental fat can help improve a person’s appearance and self-esteem.
If you feel the same way as the participants in the above study, it’s enough to make Kybella’s cost worth it. Here are the other top reasons why undergoing this treatment could be an excellent investment.
Long-Lasting Results
Kybella permanently destroys the fat cells that it targets in the chin. Once destroyed, the cells can no longer store or accumulate fat. The body then metabolizes them over time, preventing them from returning.
However, please note that Kybella isn’t a miracle treatment, so it won’t prevent untreated fat cells from expanding or storing fat. You can avoid this and your double chin from returning by following an exercise plan and a healthy diet. Putting more pep into your step and eating healthily will help you keep the pounds off, keeping your overall health and well-being in check while boosting your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Quick Procedure With Minimal Downtime
Since each Kybella session lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, you can schedule them during lunch break. There is also little downtime, letting you return to your usual activities soon.
Availability of Affordable Payment Plans
St. Pete Wellness Med Spa has partnered with Cherry, allowing us to offer patient payment plans. If your application gets approved, you can split your treatment fees into smaller, more manageable monthly payments. With this service, you can get your preferred treatments now (or whenever you wish to, provided the offer is still valid) and pay for them later in installments.
The application process is straightforward, requires no hard credit checks, and does not impact your credit score. You have several term options, with some having 0% APR. If you receive approval, you can use the funds immediately.
Ready for Your Kybella Treatment?
There you have it: Your comprehensive guide answering the questions: “What is and how much is Kybella,” “How does it differ from other chin-reduction procedures,” and “Why is it worth it?”
Now that you know more about this innovative procedure, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us at St. Pete Wellness Med Spa in St. Petersburg, FL. Our team of highly trained, experienced staff with many decades of combined experience in providing high-quality, safe, and effective aesthetic treatments await you. Our state-of-the-art facility boasts the most advanced equipment that enables us to deliver exceptional laser and cosmetic treatments.
Book your consultation with us today, and we’ll happily discuss how we can help you reach your aesthetic goals.