Kybella
These enzyme injections help dissolve excess fat in localized areas, such as beneath the chin.
Refine your profile without surgery.
A fuller appearance beneath the chin can persist despite a healthy lifestyle, making the jawline look less defined. Kybella is the first FDA-approved injectable enzyme that permanently destroys fat cells beneath the chin, helping create a slimmer, more sculpted profile without surgery. Once the reaction between the fat cells and the enzyme begins, the area starts to swell. The reaction and swelling aren’t painful, red, or inflamed. The fullness may last for up to a week, and then the swelling subsides and the majority of the fat is gone.
At Steele Dermatology, Dr. Johnson carefully evaluates your facial anatomy and develops a personalized treatment plan designed to achieve natural-looking definition while maintaining facial harmony.
Kybella, at a glance
Your visit starts with a consultation — not a recommendation list — and the plan is built from there. Here’s what to expect and how this treatment works.
Procedure Time
30 min.
Perfect for
Localized pockets of fat
Recovery Time
- 1 week
- Swelling
Kybella FAQs
Kybella is an injectable treatment made with a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a molecule naturally found in the body that helps break down dietary fat. When injected beneath the chin, it permanently destroys targeted fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated by the body.
When you and Dr. Johnson identify the area to be treated, the area is marked and the Kybella solution is injected into multiple injection points in a grid-like fashion. Generally, injections into fat aren’t painful, so you don’t feel much when the solution is going in. Once the injections are complete, you are finished.
Kybella is best suited for adults bothered by moderate fullness beneath the chin who want a non-surgical alternative to liposuction or neck contouring. Dr. Johnson will determine whether the fullness is caused by excess fat, skin laxity, or another factor to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Most patients achieve their desired results in two to four treatment sessions, although some may benefit from up to six treatments depending on the amount of submental fat and their treatment goals. Sessions are typically spaced about one month apart.
Swelling beneath the chin is expected after treatment and is often a sign that the medication is working. Bruising, tenderness, numbness, and firmness in the treated area are also common and usually improve over several days to a few weeks.
After treatment, you can resume most normal daily activities, but the swelling may prevent you from doing some of them. The swelling may feel uncomfortable and heavy.
Once the fat cells are gone, they are gone and no additional treatment is necessary. Most patients need more than one treatment to get a satisfactory final result – in the neighborhood of 3-4 treatments for some areas, such as under the chin.
Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results over the long term.
Yes. Many patients combine Kybella with treatments that address skin quality or facial aging, such as cosmetic injectables (neurotoxins), dermal fillers, laser treatments, or skin tightening procedures. Dr. Johnson will recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your goals.
Personalized facial contouring with expert care
Achieving a more defined profile requires more than simply reducing fat — it requires careful attention to facial balance and proportion. Dr. Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist, takes a thoughtful, individualized approach to every Kybella treatment, evaluating your anatomy and aesthetic goals before recommending a treatment plan. With advanced injectable expertise and a commitment to natural-looking results, Dr. Johnson and her experienced dermatology team help patients enhance their appearance with precision, safety, and confidence.
Request an appointment
Schedule online, call (770) 464-6000 or text us, and one of our specialists will assist you.
