Double Options for Double Chins

People often complain about the dreaded double chin. Until recently patients have had very few options for treatment of this condition. For many, fullness under the chin is simply the result of genetics or aging. And for those who have developed a double chin due to weight gain, they may find it frustrating that even with weight loss their double chin will persist.

Fortunately there are new treatments designed to reduce or eliminate submental fat (the fat below the chin). Targeting this area for treatment can help patients rediscover or redefine the shape of their chin and jaw. Currently there are two primary treatment options, both of which are available through my cosmetic practice at Carruthers & Humphrey.

Belkyra

Belkyra is a new non-invasive injectable treatment. Carruthers & Humphrey was one of the first Canadian clinics to offer Belkyra to patients. Our office was involved in the clinical trials and helped bring Belkyra to market. 

The Belkyra injection targets the cell membrane of the fat cells that cause the double chin. The fat cell are disrupted and the contents diffuse into the surrounding subcutaneous space. The body then naturally removes these free fatty acids safely. Belkyra is generally effective after two to four treatments with relatively easy recovery.

CoolMini

A new specialized applicator from the makers of CoolSculpting, the CoolMini is designed specifically for the treatment of small areas, including submental fat. CoolMini is an an effective and non-invasive way to target fullness under the chin. It can also be used on other areas such as the ‘bra bulge’ and localized fat around the knees. As with CoolSculpting for other areas, the procedure freezes and ultimately kills fat cells in the targeted area. Over the following weeks and months, your body disposes of the dead cells and the result is a visible reduction in fat in the treated area.

If you are interested in learning more about treatment options please speak to Dr. Beleznay or contact the office to book a consultation.

New Treatment to Get Rid of Your Double Chin

You may have heard that there is a new injectable treatment to eliminate the dreaded “double chin.” The product is known as KYBELLA in the U.S. and BELKYRA here in Canada. BELKYRA was recently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of submental fullness, or fat below the chin.

This is the only FDA and Health Canada approved non-surgical treatment to reduce submental fat. The active ingredient in BELKYRA is deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps with the breakdown and absorption of fat. When injected, it causes the destruction of fat cells so that those cells can no longer store fat.

Because BELKYRA destroys fat cells, once the desired aesthetic appearance is achieved it is not expected that any re-treatment will be needed. However, the initial treatment regimen will be tailored based on your profile and the desired contouring of the chin. It may require up to six treatments each one-month apart, though results have been seen in as few as two treatments.

Many adults, both men and women, have expressed unhappiness with the appearance of a double chin. That is why it is very exciting to be able to offer a non-invasive treatment that can provide patients with significant results in a short amount of time. The procedure has minimal patient downtime and common side effects are similar to other injectables, including possible swelling, bruising and pain at the site of injection.

I am thrilled to be a part of the practice at Carruthers & Humphrey, which will be the first practice in Vancouver to offer BELKYRA (available in late August or September 2015). If you are interested in a consultation for BELKYRA or other cosmetic procedures please contact the office.