Fast facts
- Kybella and CoolMini are nonsurgical procedures to eliminate excess fat underneath the chin.
- Both procedures are relatively safe with few side effects.
- Treatments with Kybella and CoolMini last less than an hour and generally require a handful of sessions.
- A doctor must administer both Kybella and CoolMini.
- Kybella and CoolMini both effectively remove fat under the chin.
Both Kybella and CoolMini are nonsurgical methods to reduce the layer of fat under the chin. Kybella is an injectable treatment that eliminates fat and removes it from your body. CoolMini freezes fat cells to reduce fat under the chin.
These treatments can reduce under-chin fat within months and cost a few thousand dollars. Both treatments require administration by a doctor trained in their use. Recent research studies have concluded that these procedures are an effective way to reduce extra fat under the chin.
Kybella and CoolMini are both nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. In 2017 and 2018, nonsurgical fat reduction procedures like Kybella and CoolMini were the third-most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States.
Kybella
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Kybella in 2015 for effectiveness and use on excess fat in the submental area (under the chin).
It’s an injectable form of deoxycholic acid (DA) that can target the fat tissue underneath the chin. DA gets into cells and eliminates their ability to hold fat.
Your doctor will administer Kybella by injecting DA underneath the chin in small doses. The typical number of injections given during a visit ranges from 20 to 30, and up to 50.
Kybella works on its own and doesn’t require additional procedures or medications to work.
For comfort and to help recover afterward, you might be advised to apply ice to the area after your injections and to sleep in a slightly elevated position for a few nights.
You’re likely to see full results within a couple of months after several treatments are done, swelling goes down, and your skin is able to tighten up.
CoolMini
CoolMini is shorthand for a noninvasive procedure that targets fat under the chin. CoolMini is actually the name of a clinical device designed specifically for cryolipolysis applied to the underside of the jaw for what’s commonly called “double chin” (also known as submental fullness). It was approved for use on submental fat by the FDA in 2016.
This procedure cools about 20 to 25 percent of fat cells in the targeted area. Eventually your body eliminates these cooled fat cells. The fat cells treated do not come back later.
Your doctor administers CoolMini with the special applicator at the area you want treated. You will feel a cooling sensation at first during treatment, but that sensation will go away.
During treatment, you can engage in a quiet activity like working on your computer or reading a book. Your doctor will massage the targeted area for a few minutes after treatment.
You should be able to resume normal activities immediately after your appointment.
You do not need to have any additional procedures or take any medications with CoolMini treatment. The reduction in fat cells under your chin will become noticeable a few weeks to several months after treatment.
According to the manufacturer, you will see the most significant changes to the treated area after two months. You may also require multiple treatments depending on desired results.
Studies examining the results of both Kybella and CoolMini show significant positive results of these noninvasive surgical treatments for excess fat under the chin.
Kybella results
One recent study reviewed all human studies of DA injections in the chin area. It concluded that treating chin fat with DA is a nonsurgical procedure that leaves patients with a positive self-image.
Another
CoolMini results
A
A small clinical
Kybella
People who have a medium to large amount of fat under the chin are ideal candidates for Kybella.
Kybella is only intended for people over age 18.
There is a lack of research on treating those who are pregnant or lactating.
People taking blood-thinning medications should discuss Kybella treatment with their doctors before proceeding.
CoolMini
Candidates for CoolMini must have noticeable fat under their chins. People with all skin types can use CoolMini. You are considered an
People are not candidates for CoolMini if they have:
- cryoglobulinemia
- cold agglutinin disease
- paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
In general, cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. You’ll need to pay for Kybella or CoolMini yourself.
The cost of the treatments will include the procedure as well as its administration by a doctor. Both Kybella and CoolMini will cost a few thousand dollars over the course of treatment.
Costs will usually depend on your doctor, your location, the course of treatment, and your desired results.
Kybella costs
Your doctor will discuss the expected treatment plan, what they think is achievable, and the potential cost and length of each session. You will likely need multiple sessions for results.
Sessions are only 15 to 20 minutes at a time and do not require you to take time off of work beyond the treatment itself.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2018 statistics, the average cost of a Kybella treatment is $1,054, not including other fees and considerations for personalized treatment.
CoolMini costs
Like Kybella, the costs of CoolMini are dependent on many factors.
The CoolMini procedure can last up to an hour, and you’ll likely need multiple sessions to achieve desired effects.
The CoolSculpting website states that treatments generally range from $2,000 to $4,000. The ASPS statistics for 2018 estimates the average cost for a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure, such as CoolSculpting and Liposonix, to be $1,417.
Both treatments have some side effects and risks associated with them. Talk to your doctor before beginning treatment and be open about what other medications you’re taking and your surgical and cosmetic procedures history.
Kybella
The most common side effect of Kybella is swelling, which can also cause difficulty swallowing.
Side effects near the injection site may include redness, swelling, pain, hardness, warmth, and numbness. Other side effects may include bruising, alopecia, ulcers, or necrosis near the injection site. You may also experience headaches or nausea.
In rare cases, this injectable treatment can cause nerve injury and difficulty swallowing. Nerve injuries may result in an asymmetrical smile or muscle weakness. Speak with your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
People taking blood thinners should discuss Kybella with their doctor, as these medications increase the risk of side effects.
CoolMini
The side effects for CoolMini may include sensitivity near the throat, redness, bruising, swelling, and tenderness. You may also experience stinging, aching, or itching after the procedure.
Most side effects from CoolMini last only a few days or weeks following the procedure. One rare side effect of CoolMini is adipose hyperplasia. This condition
| Kybella | CoolMini | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure type | Non-surgical, injected | Non-surgical, applied on the skin’s surface |
| Cost | An average of $1,054 per treatment | An average range from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the number of treatments |
| Pain | Pain results from injections into the skin; you could have up to 50 injections per visit | You may experience a cold sensation and tingling in the first few minutes of the procedure before the skin numbs |
| Number of treatments needed | No more than six sessions lasting 15 to 20 minutes in length | One or more sessions lasting an hour in length |
| Expected results | Permanent reduction in fat under the chin | Permanent reduction in fat under the chin |
| Who this treatment is not recommended for | People taking blood-thinning medications and people who are pregnant or lactating | People with cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disorder, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria |
| Recovery time | A few days to a few weeks | Hours to days |