If you’re self-conscious about your double chin and the lack of a well-defined jawline, there’s a cosmetic treatment just for those issues – Kybella. It’s a quick, FDA-approved injectable that eliminates unwanted submental (under the chin) fat without downtime.
Kybella provides impressive results, but patients need to adhere to prescribed Kybella aftercare to get the most from the treatment.
This article provides 12 essential Kybella aftercare tips, explaining how they affect the treatment and how long you need to follow them.
12 Kybella Aftercare Tips
Though minimally invasive, Kybella can cause side effects and provide less-than-satisfactory results if a patient goes against the medical provider’s advice on required aftercare.
Follow these tips on how to behave after the treatment to maximize the results.
1. Don’t Apply Pressure on the Treated Area
Light massage over the treated area a few times a day can encourage healing and help reduce swelling after Kybella. Avoid aggressive massage or deep pressure in the treatment area for 3-5 days. This basic precaution helps support the healing process and decreases the risk of swelling, bruising, pain, and discomfort.
2. Take an Acetaminophen for Pain
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you experience pain after Kybella. Doctors usually recommend acetaminophen, such as Tylenol and Paracetamol, to decrease post-treatment discomfort.
3. Avoid Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications help relieve pain and inflammation but thin the blood and may interfere with the healing process after the injectable. To allow natural healing mechanisms to occur in the body, avoid Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and any oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medication.
4. Elevate Your Head
Sleep on your back with an elevated head for 3-5 days following the treatment. Keep it upright above the level of the heart with one or two pillows. This position decreases blood pooling in the treated tissue and helps reduce swelling.
5. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is always important, especially after an injectable treatment that requires the body to double down on healing. Drink plenty of water and non-sugary drinks to support the removal of destroyed fat cells via the lymphatic system.
6. Avoid Vigorous Exercise
Exercise increases circulation and blood flow, raising the chance of swelling after the treatment. Kybella providers recommend refraining from strenuous exercise for 3-5 days. Replace cardio, weightlifting, jogging, and swimming with brisk walks during this period.
7. Avoid Sun and Heat
Like exercise, exposure to sunlight and high heat can increase blood flow, cause swelling, and slow the healing process. Keep out of the heat for 3-5 days.
8. Watch Your Vitamin and Supplement Intake
Some vitamins and supplements can increase bleeding and bruising. Avoid the following products for 3-7 days after the treatment: niacin (B3) supplements, ginkgo biloba, garlic, flax oil, cod liver oil, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other essential fatty acids.
9. Be Good with Your Nutrition
It is always the right time to improve your diet. After Kybella, it is especially important to limit the intake of salty, sugary, and processed foods, which cause inflammation and may prolong recovery after the treatment. Fresh fruits and vegetables improve lymphatic flow, helping to flush out the treated fat cells.
10. Refrain from Alcohol and Nicotine
Alcohol and nicotine have pro-inflammatory properties, increasing the chance of swelling and irritation after Kybella. Try to avoid them for several days.
11. Hold off on Additional Cosmetic Treatments
Treatments such as injectables, laser, ultrasound, peels, facials, micro-dermabrasion, and microneedling to the same area where Kybella was performed may have to wait. Vibrant Skin Bar can advise and assist you in coordinating specific treatment timing with other aesthetic services.
12. Contact Your Medical Provider
Call or visit your medical provider immediately if you develop extreme symptoms after Kybella or if any existing symptom worsens. Such symptoms include:
- Facial muscle weakness
- Asymmetric smile
- Ulcers in the treatment area
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncomfortable or increasing swelling
Conclusion
Kybella is as close as possible to a magic solution for a double chin. It delivers quick, lasting results and positively affects the patient’s confidence. Keep in mind that Kybella aftercare also contributes to the treatment’s effects.
Contact our friendly cosmetic experts at Vibrant Skin Bar if you’re ready to try Kybella.
Next, find out how quickly Kybella works and what affects how long it takes for results to show.
