January 24, 2022
Swelling After a Kybella Treatment
Kybella is known for its convenience and effectiveness in eliminating unwanted fats in different parts of the body. The most common unwanted fat lies in the chin that makes up the double chin effect. While Kybella can address this issue in no time, the Kybella-treated area most often than not acquires a post-treatment swelling. Despite being an interesting and attractive treatment, a lot of people began to worry as this swelling seemed abnormal and bothersome. Fortunately, we have some expert opinions regarding the swelling after the Kybella treatment.
Dr. Sapna Patel says that this swelling is normal that will last for weeks after the treatment,
“Kybella results in swelling for usually up to 4-5 weeks after the procedure. This is the norm. Typically, the swelling is the worst at the beginning or the first week. THe amount of swelling varies based on how much is used and the location that is injected. Most of my clients when treated under the chin will still be swollen for 3-4 weeks after the procedure but the swelling is most apparent to yourself. Usually week 5-8 after the procedure, the skin will retract and result will become evident.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Christine Blaine, a board certified surgeon, says that the post-treatment swelling is an essential effect of Kybella. She says,
“The fact that you are swollen is likely a good indicator that you will respond nicely to the treatment. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to predict the amount of swelling that a patient can expect to see, but in most cases the swelling subsides within about 5-7 days of the treatment. For patients with lax skin of this submental region the swelling can linger for longer and may take up to two weeks to resolve completely. Immediately following a Kybella treatment, I encourage my patients to apply ice packs to the treatment area to help reduce the amount of swelling experienced. At 4 days post-treatment I am not sure that ice or cold compresses will do much at this point and I do not believe that massage will benefit you. In any case I do encourage you to discuss this with your PS.”
This swelling, although normal and does not give any negative impact or effect on the treatment itself, can be a little bothersome because it is followed by discomfort. Luckily, according to some expert opinions from doctors in our recent blog, the swelling can be massaged but it won’t produce any significant effect just as Dr. Blaine stated.
To relieve the discomfort of the swelling, the area can be massaged for 5 times a day. The massage should only last for 5 minutes every time and should be done gently so as to prevent any pressure or pain. The swelling may also include bruising, itching and redness but all of these are normal and will be gone in no time. However, it is advisable not to trigger or irritate the area by massaging it. Instead, applying ice packs for 15 minutes will relieve the discomfort.