Dr. Glatt would like to share some exciting news about a new product that will soon be available. On May 6, 2015, Kybella (ATX-101), manufactured by Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, was granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After over twenty studies on more than 2600 patients, this non-surgical treatment of submental fat often referred to as a “double-chin” will be released. This is a new product and new treatment modality as nothing like it is currently available in the United States.
Kybella is administered by a series of injections directly into the fat under the chin. The active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, dissolves fat, enabling the practitioner to resculpt the chin area without surgery. If properly placed by a skilled injector, the effect of Kybella will not spread to any other surrounding tissue. Once destroyed, the effect is permanent, as the fat cells are gone and can no longer accumulate fat. Studies have shown that a full course of treatment involves multiple series of injections spaced approximately one month apart. Each in office treatment session typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, with an additional hour of pre-treatment with numbing cream which has been shown to help reduce discomfort. Patients can experience visible results in 2 to 4 treatments, with the most successful outcomes requiring six treatments sessions to reach the best result of a more sculpted neck. Common side effects reported following treatment have included bruising, swelling, and redness, which are very temporary and subside within a short period of time.
While Kybella is not yet available for clinical use, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Brian S. Glatt, MD, is very excited to soon be able to offer this clinically proven, unique treatment for undesirable fat in the neck. This exciting new product is currently only FDA approved for use in the area of the central neck, but off-label uses are anticipated and may involve the ability to treat areas of unwanted fat in other parts of the body.
Kybella is expected to be released later this year to specially trained physicians and is only currently indicated for the treatment of submental fat. The ideal candidate is an individual (male or female) with good skin elasticity and a mild to full double chin. Kybella is not approved for children under the age of 18.
We will keep you apprised of Kybella’s release and provide additional information as it becomes available. We expect Dr. Glatt to be one of the first Plastic Surgeons in the region to be able to offer this exciting new treatment to his patients. Continue to follow our blog and Facebook page for more information by the end of the summer. If you have any questions about Kybella or other similar cosmetic procedures or treatments, please call our Morristown, New Jersey office at 973-889-9300.