BELKYRA® is an injectable drug used to contour and shape under the chin and around the jawline. This non-surgical treatment can reduce double chins and destroy unwanted fatty tissue in the targeted area. Also known as Kybella in the United States, BELKYRA® is an artificial form of deoxycholic acid (a substance found naturally in our bodies) and works by targeting the fat cell membranes and destroying them, whereby your body then metabolises them and releases them out of the body.
This is a non-invasive procedure and while you may experience some swelling and redness, you can usually return to your normal daily activities straight after the treatment.
The BELKYRA® treatment involves the patient receiving injections with a tiny needle beneath the chin and around the jawline, or in the targeted areas. The number of injections depends on the size of the area/s to be treated. It is estimated that approximately 40 – 50 injections will be made in any one treatment which takes around 15 – 30 minutes.
Most patients will require on average 2 – 4 treatment sessions with a maximum of 6 in order to maximise best results. Treatments are usually done 4 – 6 weeks apart. It expected that after you achieve your initial desired results, they should be maintained for at least four years.
Q. Can BELKYRA® be used anywhere on the body?
A. No. BELKYRA® is only approved for in the submental region.
Q. Is BELKYRA® suitable for everyone?
A. It is recommended that women who are breastfeeding or pregnant are not suitable. It is also advised that anyone with liver or heart problems may not be suitable for BELKYRA®.
You may also not be suitable if you have any medical conditions in or near the neck or have, or have had trouble swallowing.
Also, keep in mind that BELKYRA® is not able to remove excess skin, so if you have too much skin around your neck area you may be better suited to a neck lift.
Q. Does BELKYRA® hurt?
A. Your practitioner should apply a numbing cream or local anesthetic to minimise any pain. Ice is also utilised to control pain from the injections.
Q. Is there any downtime?
A. No. Besides some patients experiencing redness and swelling you should be able to return to your daily activities immediately after the treatment. Some practitioners advise not to partake in vigorous activity in order to minimise swelling.
Q. Are there any side effects?
A. As with other injectable treatments, you may experience side effects with BELKYRA®. Most
patients experience mild or moderate pain or discomfort at the time BELKYRA® is injected.
Whilst it is not common, you may experience any of the following:
• bruising
• pain
• numbness
• swelling
• redness
• tingling
• formation of small areas of hardness
• itching around the treatment area
While unlikely, talk to your clinician if you experience trouble swallowing, an uneven smile, taste disturbances, or discolouration, unusual hair loss or an ulcer (open sore) at the site of injection.
