Facial aesthetic treatments to date have been focused on wrinkles, discolouration, volume loss and lines that appear on the face. However, for the first time, new advancements in injectable aesthetic treatments are broadening this scope by targeting problem areas below the chin that typically have been difficult to treat due to stubborn fat. The ‘double chin’ that has plagued both men and women of all shapes and sizes has finally met its match, thanks to this new innovative treatment.
BELKYRA (deoxycholic acid injection) is the first and only Health Canada approved non-surgicalinjectable treatment specifically designed to improve the appearance of moderate to severe amounts of fat under the chin – commonly known as “double chin” in adults. BELKYRA is deoxycholic acid, a naturally-occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into fat under the chin, BELKYRA™ can cause the destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat any longer.
“For patients with double chin, many are unaware that it is a treatable condition. Until now treatments have typically included surgery, handheld devices or aggressive weight-loss regimens with potentially limited improvement,” says Dr. Vince Bertucci, dermatologist, President of the Canadian Dermatology Association and BELKYRA trial investigator. “BELKYRA’s approval is part of a growing trend in medical aesthetic science. More than ever before, we now have innovative, minimally invasive treatments with results that in the past would be achievable only with surgery.”
Fullness under the chin is a common, yet under-treated aesthetic condition that can impact both women and men. Double chin is often resistant to diet and exercise alone and is generally caused by several factors such as aging, genetics and weight gain. Simply put, a double chin may be part of a person’s DNA.
A new approach to a common problem
“As a person ages they can experience a diminishment of their ‘persona’ and of the face they present to the world,” says Dr Lisa Kellett, a top dermatologist from DLK on Avenue and past president of the Canadian Laser and Aesthetic Specialists Society (CLASS). “There’s often a mismatch between the person they feel they are on the inside, versus the persona they project out into the world. Treatments that soften signs of aging or restore chin contours and profile can have a significant, positive impact on a person’s self-esteem.”
The shape of the face and chin profile area can influence how a person is viewed by others and how a person feels about themselves. So it’s no surprise that according to a survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), over 67 per cent of consumers surveyed reported being bothered by fullness under the chin. For both men and women, a double chin can lead to a negative self-impression – even among younger adult patients.
