The last few years has seen a rise in the “selfie generation” as more and more people take more and more pics of themselves from various flattering ( and unflattering) angles. This may perhaps go some way in explaining the increase in enquiries for rejuvenating the face and especially neck regions in patients. No one likes a double chin especially in photos and now other than the traditional liposuction and neck lift procedures, there are non surgical treatments that have proven to be highly effective. So what’s the options for non-surgical chin contouring? Here we look at Coolsculpting Mini –V- Belkyra.
A strong jaw line conveys strength, confidence, and youthfulness. Over 80 percent of American patients surveyed said they’d like to eliminate some of the fat beneath their chins and give themselves a better defined neck.
This is easier said than done though as this region is one of the more difficult areas for your body to remove fat from and often this area doesn’t respond well to diet and exercise.
Traditionally, treatment here required a surgical option whether with liposuction or via neck lift surgery.
Recently though, the FDA has approved two new procedures to help treat this area and remove the double chin.
1. Coolsculpting Mini
2. Belkyra
The first is Coolsculpting Mini – Coolsculpting is very well known now to most people and the Mini attachment has been designed especially to treat the chin area.
The second treatment is via a product known as Belkyra (Kybella in the USA). This has only recently been released in Australia and is not as well known here at present although it has been used for some time in the USA and Europe.
Both treatments are non-surgical procedures that attack unwanted fat cells permanently eliminating them from the body with the aim to leave the patient with a stronger, more sculpted jaw.
Given that there are now options available for patients, we felt it was a good idea to discuss the two new treatments and their pros and cons so that patients can make a more informed decision on which treatment to choose or which one may be better for them.
HOW DOES COOLSCULPTING MINI AND BELKYRA WORK?
Belkyra
Belkyra is an artificial form of deoxycholic acid. A substance found in bile in your gallbladder and one of the chemicals the body uses to break down fat cells. The substance is injected and attaches to your unwanted fatty tissue. It dissolves its outer cell membrane, destroying the cell. As the fat cells die they release their contents out into your body, where they are metabolised.
What to expect during treatment
During a Belkyra injecting session, the patient receives a series of small injections beneath their chin. The number of injections will vary as it depends on the size of the area that needs to be treated. On average approximately 45 sites are injected. This takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
All patients will require multiple sessions in order to get the most benefit and best results. Most people require four to six sessions approximately 4-6 weeks apart to fully treat the area.
Coolsculpting Mini
The CoolSculpting Mini is a body sculpting device that freezes and eliminates fat cells through a process known as Cryolipolysis. It cools fat cells to approximately 4 degrees Celsius, which causes ice crystals to form in-side of them. As the cells freeze, they die and are broken down and metabolized. Because fat cells freezes at a higher temperature than skin or muscle cells, these cells are destroyed in preference to the other types. Hence the fat can be tagged leaving the other structures intact and undamaged.
What to expect during treatment
During a Coolsculpting Mini session, the cooling device is put under your chin and held in place by a strap around your head. Some patients find the cold temperature a bit uncomfortable at first, but it settles after a few minutes and is hardly noticeable for the rest of the session. Most patients relax, read, or watch movies on their mobile devices until the treatment specialist returns. The Coolsculpting session lasts for 45-60 minutes. Once it’s over, your treatment specialist will massage the skin under your chin to maximize the effect of the treatment.
Patients may need one or two sessions to fully eliminate all their unwanted fat, but most have a noticeably stronger jaw after just one.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE RESULTS?
Belkyra
After a cell has been broken down by Belkyra, it has to be metabolised and processed by the body. Most patients see approximately 50 percent of their final result after just two sessions and 70 percent of how they will finally look after four sessions. After six sessions, the excess fat surrounding their jaw should be diminished enough to give a patient a younger, stronger, and more chiselled appearance.
Coolsculpting Mini
After a Coolsculpting Mini session, it takes approximately 8 weeks for your body to break down and metabolize the fat. During that time, patients see the fat beneath the chin shrink – often there is retraction of skin and the jaw line become more defined. If the result is limited then another treatment can be done between 8-12 weeks to improve this. It is very rare for a patient to need more then 2 treatments to see a result.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS BELKYRA VS. COOLSCULPTING MINI?
(photo courtesy of Belkyra website)
Belkyra
Most Belkyra patients see a ten percent reduction in neck fat after six weeks and a 25 percent reduction over the full course of their treatment. It should be pointed out that a full course of 4 -6 sessions 6 weeks apart means that full results aren’t visible till at least 6 months or more in total time. In total, over 80 percent of patients end up with a strong, visible jaw line and an improved cervicomental angle ( this is the angle at which the neck intersects with the jaw.) The procedure also stimulates the production of new collagen, so the skin around your chin looks firm and supple.
(Actual Patient of Sydney Cosmetic Sanctuary)
Coolsculpting Mini
A single Coolsculpting Mini session can reduce neck fat by 20-25 percent, making it one of the most effective non-surgical body sculpting techniques available.
If another session is required, it is usually performed between week 8 and 12. Results are visible from two months to four months depending on the number of sessions required.
The targeted fat cells are permanently eliminated and can’t be regenerated, so the results are essentially permanent. Patients get an improved jaw line that makes them look younger, more vigorous, and more confident.
WHO IS AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR BELKYRA AND THE COOLSCULPTING MINI?
Belkyra
Belkyra is ideal for men and women in good health and have small to substantial amounts of fat underneath their chins. Patients who have had surgery or other cosmetic procedures around their neck should warn their doctor before undergoing treatment. People who have trouble swallowing, a thyroid disorder, swollen lymph glands in their neck or bleeding or clotting disorders may not be suited for Belkyra.
Coolsculpting Mini
The Coolsculpting Mini is most effective at eliminating small to moderate amounts of fat beneath your chin. The best candidates for the CoolSculpting Mini are men and women in good health who are within 10kg of their ideal weight. People with small chins may have trouble with the CoolSculpting Mini device attaching to the area below the neck and may not be ideal candidates.
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
Prices for Belkyra or CoolSculpting Mini sessions vary from clinic to clinic. Overall though, Coolsculpting pricing per cycle is less then that of Belkyra in most circumstances. The overall cost of course will depend on the number of sessions and cycles required. It is also wise to see who will be doing your treatment and their level of skill.
Belkyra and the CoolSculpting Mini may not benefit all patients equally. Based on the shape and size of your neck and jaw, as well as the size of the area that needs to be treated, one procedure may improve your chin more than the other. Your plastic surgeon or treating specialist is the ideal person to consult to see which treatment is better suited for you. A side by side comparison of some of the more commonly asked questions is listed below.
| Coolsculpting Mini | Belkyra | |
| Treatment Modality | Cryolipolisis | Deoxycholic acid |
| Injections | nil | 20-45 on average per session |
| Anaesthetic | nil | Local or topical anaesthetic for most patients |
| Downtime | nil | nil |
| Swelling | mild-moderate | mild-moderate |
| Bruising | mild-moderate | mild-moderate |
| Pain | mild | mild |
| average number of sessions required | 1-2 | 4-6 |
| average time between sessions | 8-12 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| average time to see result | 8-24 weeks | 16-36 weeks |
| average results after full course | 20-25% fat loss | 20-25% fat loss |
| permanent loss | yes | yes |
| areas that can be treated | most body areas using Coolsculpting Technology | only approved for injection in the neck at present |
| cost | $$ – $$$ depending on sessions | $$$ – $$$$ depending on sessions |
Dr Rohit Kumar
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon
Sydney Cosmetic Sanctuary
P: 1300267726
www.sydneycosmeticsanctuary.com.au
Dr Rohit Kumar
Dr Rohit Kumar is a respected, Australian trained and fully certified cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
We find that the average number of injections for Belkyra are 22 for a woman and 33 for a bigger man. Most patients see a good benefit after 2 sessions – but we prefer Belkyra for smaller fat collections. Bigger necks take 4 sessions and beyond that Belkyra loses the cost/benefit comparison with cool sculpting/liposuction.
http://www.academyfaceandbody.com.au
http://www.academylaserclinics.com.au
Yes articles and clinical experience would suggest anywhere from 20 injections upwards per session depending on size of the neck
After 2 sessions approximately 50% of the overall 25% loss should be discernible – that’s approximately 8-12 weeks to see 50% of your final result)
Agree that cost benefit ratio diminishes the more sessions that are required after 2 sessions ( average suggestion is 4 sessions) up to then it does depend on number of coolsculpting cycles that are required
It would be good if a comparison can also be made with results from Liposuction because using the Tumescent method with Local Anaesthetic there is hardly any down time too. It takes about 2 hrs & patients are up & about as soon as the procedure is over. Results are discernible the next day & looking good after two weeks. Only one procedure is required. Can be done on mild to severe double chin, males & females. Very comparable costs.
Having performed scores of local anaesthetic tumescent neck liposculpture cases for some 15 years now, one can observe that the outcomes described in this article of cryolipolysis and chemical dissolution of fat treatments in this region are less predictable and generally less impressive than a well performed neck liposculpture procedure. This is not to state that there is no place for cryolipolysis or chemical treatments. However patients should examine this article carefully and be aware of the limitations of such procedures and the cost/time impost of a potential for a less than satisfactory outcome. (Average outcome quoted as 20-25% fat loss).