What is the difference between Belkyra and Kybella?

David Fuller

Last Updated On: February 29, 2024

Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as medical advice but only for informational purposes. Medsupplysolutions.com staff does not review any of these articles for medical validity. Medsupplysolutions does not endorse the opinions or views expressed in this article. Please always seek professional medical advice from licensed doctor.

Having fat under the chin or a double chin can be an issue for some even though it is not always an indicator for typical health problems. Though it may not inconvenience us physically, it is usually considered unappealing or unattractive to have, thus ruining some people’s self-image and self-confidence. 

A double chin or submental fat is most often associated with weight gain, but it can be caused by many factors, and some of them may not be entirely in our control. It can be caused by 

• skin sagging due to age
• we might be genetically predisposed to having a double chin
• it might be our posture and how we carry our head and neck
• and it might even be our facial features themselves

Whatever the underlying reason for it, it is easy enough to resolve without having to resort to surgery or liposuction. There are various products available that can help reduce or eliminate submental fat so you can achieve the face shape or jawline that you’ve always wanted. One of the more popular non-invasive methods is mesotherapy and two of the best products in the market for this are Belkyra and Kybella. Read more to find out which is best for you.

What is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a method of injecting medications directly into areas where it is intended to work in, such as injecting chemicals that break down fat cells in areas where the fat is prominent. This technique is used in many medical treatments and is a common non-invasive procedure especially in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine. 

The use of this method for fat removal started in France during the 1950s. It started when European scientists tried to look for ways to dissolve displaced fats in the bloodstream due to trauma. At the time, they used the compound phosphatidylcholine. It was during the 1980s when cosmetic surgeons thought of using the drug for other areas of the body. They used a combination of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholic acid called PC/DA to dissolve pockets of fat in specific areas of the body. It was only in the 2000s when researchers were able to determine that the fat-dissolving portion of the compound largely came from the deoxycholic acid, not the phosphatidylcholine, and that brings us to current day mesotherapy where most existing products, including Belkyra and Kybella, use deoxycholic acid to dissolve fat.

What is Belkyra?

Belkyra is a synthetic deoxycholic acid injectable product manufactured by Allergan, It is specifically formulated to remove fat pockets in the submental area and is marketed as a treatment for moderate to severe double chin in adults.

What is Kybella?

Kybella is actually the same product. Kybella is the name Belkyra is marketed under in the US, Canada, Australia, Iceland, Hungary, Austria, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria and Norway. Kybella is FDA-approved in the United States specifically to treat moderate to severe fat in the submental area.

What is Belkyra/Kybella made of?

Belkyra/Kybella’s main component is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in human bile that has cytotoxic properties that allows it to aid in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Instead of using Deoxycholic acid from humans, Belkyra and Kybella make use of a synthetic plant-based form of the substance that can achieve the same effects.

How does Belkyra/Kybella work?

Belkyra/Kybella is administered via multiple superficial injections to the fat layer of the submental area. It can take 20 to 50 injections over a course of 2 to 6 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart. 

Once injected into the fat deposits, the deoxycholic acid ruptures the cell walls of the fat cells, causing the fat cells to become cellular debris which are then transported by the blood vessels to be metabolized and eliminated by the body.

Once these fat cells have been destroyed, they will no longer be replenished. This means that once you complete the treatment and get your desired results, the remaining fat cells in the area will no longer be able to store as much fat as before, leading to a long term fat reduction in the area.

How effective is Belkyra/Kybella?

Clinical studies showed around 80% of candidates who received the product reported a visible reduction of their double chin and the same number reported a significantly improved satisfaction of their appearance. These results were reported approximately three months after their last treatment and the results also persisted for up to 6 months after treatment.

How long does Belkyra/Kybella last?

As stated, the destroyed fat cells do not get replenished so once you complete the treatment and achieve your desired result, additional treatments will be unnecessary and the treated area will no longer retain as much fat as before. Any remaining fat cells in the area may increase in size if there is significant weight gain, but it will not be as pronounced as how it was before the Belkyra/Kybella treatment.

Is Belkyra/Kybella safe?

Belkyra/Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment specifically for use in fat dissolving in the submental area. It was approved by the FDA in 2015 and clinical trials have shown it to be a safe and effective alternative to liposuction. The clinical trial cited was a double blind, placebo controlled trial with 500 patients. The r esults showed that those who received Belkyra/Kybella only had minimal side effects mostly related to the injection itself rather than the drug. A small number (4.3%) reported mandibular muscle impairment, but it was largely resolved within a month without any long-term effects.

What should I look out for before receiving Belkyra/Kybella?

As with most medical procedures, it is best to consult first with a licensed medical practitioner trained in the administration of the product so that they can determine if the product is a right fit for you or if you need to avoid or adjust some things before the procedure. Some things to look out for include

• Pregnant/lactating patients
• Patients that have skin conditions
• Patients with swallowing or bleeding problems 
• Patients who have had cosmetic procedures around the neck, chin and face area.
• Patients who are taking immunosuppressive drugs or anticoagulants.

Also, depending on the characteristics of the double chin, other options might be more feasible. Severe skin laxity, double chin caused by fat lying deep in the neck or large neck muscles may not respond effectively to Belkyra/Kybella and your doctor may suggest alternative treatments. To get the best results, a thorough assessment should be done.

Is the treatment painful?

During the procedure, the patient will feel multiple pricks as the product is injected into the predetermined grid on the treatment area. Once the pain from the needle subsides, the patient may feel a slight burning sensation as the acid interacts with the fat cells and starts to destroy them. This should only last for a couple of minutes and the pain can be abated with a cold pack. A local anesthetic can also be an option if the idea of multiple needles to the neck area would seem too much for the patient.

What side effects should I expect when receiving Belkyra/Kybella?

In general, Belkyra/Kybella treatments have a very low occurrence of severe side effects and need little to no downtime or recovery period after each treatment. Patients are expected to be able to go on with their normal daily activities after the treatment without any inconvenience. 

Belkyra/Kybella’s common side effects are mostly attributed to the injection procedure itself rather than the product. This can include

• Redness
• Swelling
• bruising 
• Numbness
• Pain

Some of the more severe side effects that can occur include

• Nerve injury of the lower jaw
• Muscle weakness
• Trouble swallowing
• Skin ulcers
• Tissue damage or tissue necrosis

If the patient experiences any of these severe side effects, they should notify their physician immediately.

How much does the treatment cost?

Depending on how much product is needed and how many sessions, the cost of a full Belkyra/Kybella treatment can be a bit pricey. For reference, Med Supply Solutions sells a package of Belkyra with four 2ml vials for $1299. The cost of the drug plus the doctor’s fee for each treatment can rack up the price especially if the maximum number of sessions is needed. However, it can still be considered a good investment as once the treatment is completed, there will be no need for follow-up treatments. Its value can also be determined by the fact that it is an alternative to surgical options like liposuction which carry their own costs and risks.

Conclusion

So depending on your geographical location, you may have access to either Belkyra or Kybella or both. However, you can be assured that with proper application, whichever you get will help you get rid of unwanted fat under the chin forever. What are you waiting for? Contact your doctor now for a consultation and make sure to get your authentic Belkyra or Kybella products at Med Supply Solutions!

Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as medical advice but only for informational purposes. Medsupplysolutions.com staff does not review any of these articles for medical validity. Medsupplysolutions does not endorse the opinions or views expressed in this article. Please always seek professional medical advice from licensed doctor.