Belkyra®
Fullness under the chin, or ‘double chin’, is a common concern for both men and women. It can be caused by aging, genetics or weight gain. Sometimes, no matter how much you diet or exercise, you can’t get rid of the fullness in this area.
When injected below the chin, BELKYRA® reduces fat, resulting in a more contoured neck profile and jawline.
As it is a prescription-only medicine, BELKYRA® treatment is only available from your clinician. The active ingredient in BELKYRA® is Deoxycholic acid. This also occurs naturally in the body where it helps to break down dietary fat.
Is BELKYRA® right for me?
BELKYRA® treatment is designed to target ‘submental fullness’ or stubborn fat cells, not loose skin. The ideal candidate will have minimal excess skin around the neck and chin area. The first step is a pre-procedure consultation with one of our Doctors to assess your suitability for this treatment, and discuss possible outcomes and risks.
How many treatments are needed?
Many people treated with BELKYRA® see visible improvements in the appearance of their chin profile after 2 to 4 treatments. Sessions are spaced usually about 8 weeks apart and a maximum of 6 treatments may be given. Fat dissolving takes time – it is a marathon, not a sprint – and it’s important to understand BELKYRA® treatment is not a one-off treatment.
Once the desired results are achieved, re-treatment is not expected as results are maintained long-term.
How much does it cost?
$1,500.00 – per treatment a minimum of 2 treatments. Most patients require 2 – 4 treatments.
How long does treatment take?
Total treatment time is around 45 minutes. The treatment area is marked and local anaesthetic injections administered. The active product (BELKYRA®) is then injected into the fat under the skin.
What should I expect after treatment?
BELKYRA® treatment does cause significant swelling under the chin and in the upper neck for 2-4 weeks, creating a temporary fullness before seeing improvement. When scheduling the treatment, it is important to consider this.
What side effects can Belkyra cause?
Possible side effects may include headaches, difficulty swallowing, nausea, skin tightness and hypertension. It is also completely normal to feel a loose or jiggly feeling underneath the chin. Possible side effects to the injection site include bruising, pain, swelling, numbness, redness, tingling, itching, discolouration, formation of small areas of hardness/warmth and temporary injection site nerve injury.
What aftercare is recommended?
It is likely you will feel pressure or stinging, and your chin will swell. To minimise pain and swelling after receiving the injections, some patients find placing an ice pack on the area helpful. You should avoid strenuous exercise for the first 5 days or so following treatment. Mild to moderate exercise may be safe after 48 hours, depending on your degree of swelling.
BELKYRA® injection is a prescription medicine containing 10 mg/mL deoxycholic acid. It is used for the improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. Do not use in people allergic to this medicine, with infection at site of injection, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include headaches, difficulty swallowing, nausea, skin tightness, hypertension, injection site bruising/ pain/ swelling/ numbness/ redness/ tingling/ hardness/ itching/ discolouration/ formation of small areas of hardness/ warmth and injection site nerve injury. BELKYRA® treatment is not funded on the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule. You will need to pay for this medicine. Normal Doctors visit fees apply. BELKYRA® treatment should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Speak to your specialist about your own situation and about the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. For further information, the Data Sheet and Consumer Medicines Information can be accessed at www.medsafe.govt.nz or ask your doctor. If you have any side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Note: Results from BELKYRA® treatment usually last up to four years. Allergan, Auckland
