Kybella Injections - It does what?

Monday October 17, 2016

Kybella

Like most medical terms, it means nothing without an explanation. Fountain of Youth provides a treatment known as Kybella. I know, means nothing, right? So, let's break it down.

Definition: KYBELLA^® is a prescription medicine (deoxycholic acid - injection 10 mg/mL) used on adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin” which is administered through multiple injections.

Basically, Kybella is a series of injections administered under the chin area that reduces the fat using deoxychoic acid.

Okay, so acid makes you think of corrosive acid that eats your skin off. But your body has many different acids and this one is one of the secondary bile acids, which are metabolic byproducts of intestinal bacteria. So not scary.

What is Deoxycholic Acid?

Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, it destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin. Once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat, so further treatment is not expected once you reach your desired aesthetic goal.

How many injections are required for effective treatment?

This depends on the person, but generally speaking, around 2-3 sessions are required for optimal results. Each session needs to be spaced out around 1-2 months apart. During each session around 15-20 microinjections are administered. I know, sounds like a lot of injections but our professionally trained injectors work quickly and efficiently and you are unaware of how many they actually do. Total treatment time is 20 - 30 minutes.

Over time, and after the treatment plan is completed, the body works to metabolise the damaged fat cells which leads to a permanent change in appearance, which is a slimmer and more youthful look.

How quickly do the results appear?

This varies per person but typically after a Kybella treatment, results appear within weeks to months, and keep improving as additional treatments are administered.

What is the downtime?

 

Most patients have slight discomfort similar to other injectables (like Botox or Filler) for a short period of time . This resolves relatively quickly. Patients experience different degrees of swelling, but it is a normal part of the healing process. No downtime. You can return to your normal activities.

How does it feel?

Okay I'm not going to lie. It hurts but not like someone hit you with a hammer but more like a burning sensation kind of hurt. It's uncomfortable but goes away quickly.

Side Effects

KYBELLA^® can cause serious side effects, including nerve injury in the jaw that can temporarily cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness (experienced by 4 out of 100 people in clinical studies) and trouble swallowing (experienced by 2 out of 100 people in clinical studies).

The most common side effects occur in the treatment area and include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain
• Numbness
• Redness
• Areas of hardness

Side effects are usually temporary and often resolve on their own.

What should I tell my doctor before treatment?

Before receiving KYBELLA^®, tell them about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin
• Have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin
• Have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area
• Have had or have trouble swallowing
• Have bleeding problems

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA^® will harm your unborn baby)
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA^® passes into your breast milk; talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive KYBELLA^®)
• Are taking any medications, especially blood thinners 

   

BEFORE + AFTER

                            

  

Hopefully this give you a good feel for Kybella. If you have a double chin, come see us for a consultation. 810-632-6123

Until next time.

Microdermabrasion

Like with everything, a well used word to some mean absolutely nothing to others. Fountain of Youth provides a treatment known as a microdermabrasion. I know, what? Let's break it down.

Definition: A method for improving superficial environmental, aging, hereditary, and posttraumatic skin changes (for example, acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines) by superficial, mechanically powered abrasion, often combined with application of topical crystals (such as vitamin C). This is a medical grade procedure in which a very thin layer of facial skin is abraded with a high-pressure spray of crystals in order to diminish the appearance of fine wrinkles, discoloration, scars, and other blemishes. a cosmetic procedure in which all or part of the stratum corneum is removed by light abrasion, used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, treat hyperpigmentation, and reduce or remove scars. It is more superficial than ordinary dermabrasion, does not require anesthesia, and can be performed in less than an hour. The person may resume ordinary daily activities immediately afterward. Microdermabrasion works best for superficial lesions such as fine lines and age spots; deeper lesions require other treatments.

Got that? Basically, a microdermabrasion may be one of the most popular non-surgical skin resurfacing procedures. It removes a very thin layer of skin to give you back a youthful look.





How does it feel? Some people liken it to the rough lick of a cat's tongue. Others describe it as a gritty facial massage, or report feeling just minor tugging on the skin.
Does it Hurt? No, because it works on just the surface layers of the skin, microdermabrasion isn't painful.


Things to know:

• Can I have microdermabrasion if I am pregnant/nursing?
• Can I have it if I am a teenager? (under 14 years old)

With both teenagers and pregnant or nursing women, hormones can inhibit or change the effects of microdermabrasion. It's best to wait until the hormones settle down before having it.
So, yes, but not recommended.

• Can I have micro abrasion if I am/have been on Accutane recently

I understand that you want to get rid of your acne scars as soon as possible, now that Accutane has cleared your breakouts, but doing so may cause serious damage to your skin. Accutane increases skin sensitivity which is why you should wait 6-12 months before having ANY skin resurfacing technique, not just microdermabrasion. Usually, the best microdermabrasion candidates are those with acne-prone skin or blotchy skin, fine scars, rhytides (What? Lines and furrows and wrinkles), enlarged pores, milia (What? Cysts filled with liquid or semi-solid substance), sebaceous hyperplasia (What? Harmless enlargement of the skin oil glands) and those with sun-damaged skin.

So, no, wait for 6 - 12 months.

Side Effects Of Micro Derma Abrasion

First determine what type of skin you have. Fitzpatrick Skin Scale

• Type I: Your skin is white; it always burns in the sun and never tans.
• Type II: Your skin is white; it usually burns in the sun and tans with difficulty.
• Type III: Your skin is white; it burns mildly in the sun and tans moderately.
• Type IV: Your skin is moderate brown; it rarely burns and tans easily.
• Type V: Your skin is dark brown; it rarely burns and tans very easily.
• Type VI: Your skin is black; it never burns and tans very easily.

The Fitzpatrick Scale helps dermatologists predict how our skin might react to different cosmetic procedures and tell which techniques are best suited for it. For example, a Fitzpatrick Type I person will respond better to laser resurfacing for wrinkle removal than a Type IV.

There is only one, though minor, risk associated with microdermabrasion and that is tampering with the skin's color balance (in other words, you may get dark or light patches from microdermabrasion).
The reason the risk is so small with microdermabrasion is because it's a very gentle procedure. It only removes the top layer of skin (which is formed only of dead skin cells), leaving the live tissue underneath intact.

After my first microdermabrasion, my main concern was skin redness. The red marks on my face were not only unpleasing to look at but I was worried that they would leave some sort of permanent damage. To my relief, the red skin returned to normal color after only a few hours, but I realized that my face is fragile and needs proper care. I developed a routine I follow religiously after all my microdermabrasion and my face has always fully recovered. Those steps are:

1. Cleanse your face immediately after treatment with a wet cloth and rehydrating toner to remove any micro-crystal residue or dead skin cells left behind. Most places do this for you.
2. Once the skin has dried completely, apply a rich moisturizer. Use moisturizer for 4-6 days after microdermabrasion to avoid excessive peeling.
3. Don't forget to use sunscreen every time you go out (even if it's an overcast day) because microdermabrasion increases photosensitivity.
4. Avoid staying in the sun for 7 days after microdermabrasion to prevent UV rays from damaging your skin (which slows down the recovery).

Facial redness after each abrasion is normal (the redness should fade in a few hours) and so is some itchiness and a mild sunburn sensation (which can last up to two days afterwards). Use moisturizer and high SPF sunscreen after a microdermabrasion because it helps the skin to recover quicker.

Risks?
The general consensus is that microdermabrasion is not a risky procedure but just like earthquakes can happen, there are things that could go wrong during or after microdermabrasion.

1. When the microdermabrasion machine is not properly handled or has not been properly sterilized, it can result in hyperpigmentation, skin injuries or infections (extremely rare, but possible).
2. It's also possible to inhale micro crystals from the microderm machines used during the procedure. Aluminum oxide crystals, however, (the most common abrasive agent used in microdermabrasion) cause no allergic or adverse reactions. They are neither toxic nor non-carcinogenic. Ingesting micro crystals in extremely large quantities, however, can cause respiratory problems - but so would dust - (extremely unlikely, but possible).
3. A few years back, I read about people having eye problems after stray crystals from microdermabrasion machines found their way into the eyes during treatment. These days, however, all plastic surgeries, spas and beauty salons offer special eye protection (plastic or rubber goggles) during microdermabrasion.
4. I have increased sun sensitivity, flaking and redness after microdermabrasion and some people also see temporary discoloration in the skin. These are fairly common reactions but not if they persist.

Facial Makeup After Microdermabrasion
I usually stay on the safe side and only use eye makeup and lipstick (which are allowed) after my microdermabrasion. It's a good compromise (any red marks usually fade after a few hours anyway). Fountain of Youth carries Jane Iredale which is a medical grade cosmetic and can be used after procedures. So yes you can wear makeup but only medical grade.
What Is Best To Apply On Your Face After Microdermabrasion

• Copper-based lotions speed up skin recovery and are light enough to be used underneath liquid foundation.
• Vitamin A, C and E in many brands of microdermabrasion cream increase skin elasticity and help the skin look fresh and toned.
• I personally use thermal water to calm any itchiness.

What To Avoid After Microdermabrasion

I usually avoid any exfoliation or shaving after a microdermabrasion. Avoid exfoliating products and glycolic acid-based creams for 3 days after a micro. Home chemical peels can damage the treated skin and slow down recovery. Avoid waxing for a least 30 days.

Hopefully this helps and makes having such a nice procedure done to your face more effective since you know what to expect and the results you are looking for.

Till next time.

Adieu