Belkyra — Non-Surgical Double Chin Reduction

Belkyra (known as Kybella in the US) is an FDA- and EMA-approved injectable fat-dissolving agent whose active ingredient is deoxycholic acid — a bile acid naturally produced by the body to emulsify dietary fat. When injected in a precise grid pattern into the submental fat layer beneath the chin, deoxycholic acid disrupts the cell membrane of fat cells, causing them to break down. The destroyed fat cells are then cleared through the body's lymphatic pathways and do not regenerate, meaning the result is considered permanent once the treated cells are gone. At AV Aesthetics, each Belkyra application takes 20–30 minutes and includes thorough photo documentation, local anaesthesia, and cooling pads before and after injection. Up to 6 applications may be required spaced at least 30 days apart.

Submental fat — the localised fat deposit that creates the appearance of a double chin — is often resistant to diet and exercise because it is largely driven by genetics and anatomy rather than overall adiposity. Belkyra is the first injectable specifically approved by both the FDA and EMA for the non-surgical reduction of moderate to severe submental fat in adults. The active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, is a secondary bile acid that the body uses naturally in the digestive system to break down and absorb dietary fat. When synthesised as a pharmaceutical and injected into adipose tissue, it acts as a cytolytic agent: it disrupts the phospholipid bilayer of the fat cell membrane, causing the cells to lyse (rupture). The lipids are released into the interstitial space and cleared via the lymphatic and vascular systems. The critical feature is that once fat cells are destroyed, they cannot reform — they do not regenerate. This is what makes Belkyra results durable once the full treatment course is completed. At AV Aesthetics, each Belkyra session follows a careful protocol. Detailed photographic documentation is taken before injection. The submental area is cleaned with antiseptic, a local anaesthetic is administered, and a cooling pad is applied before and after the injection grid. MUDr. Vochtová injects Belkyra in a pre-marked grid pattern across the submental fat zone, targeting the fat layer precisely while avoiding the overlying dermis and underlying muscle. Post-treatment effects are expected and predictable: swelling lasting 7–14 days, some bruising, temporary numbness, redness, stiffness, tingling, and itching. Ibuprofen and home cooling (ice packs) are recommended during this phase. Most patients find the swelling subsides fully within two weeks. Up to 6 applications are possible; the minimum interval between sessions is 30 days. The number of applications needed depends on the volume of submental fat and the target outcome. Contraindications: extreme prominence of submental fat (very large deposits may be better addressed surgically), autoimmune diseases, active oncological disease, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.