No, Belkyra only destroys fat cells, so it does nothing for skin that has lost its elasticity. The injections release deoxycholic acid into the pocket of fat beneath the chin, and the body clears those cells over the following weeks. Skin with good tone usually redrapes as that volume drops, which is why the treatment suits patients whose main complaint is fullness rather than sagging. Where the real issue is lax skin or a slack platysma muscle, a neck lift addresses it directly, and some providers suggest skin tightening as a middle option. The two problems often occur together, so a provider should examine your neck in person before recommending either.

Fullness under the chin affects both men and women, and it is often driven by genetics or ageing rather than by weight, which is why it can persist despite diet and exercise.

Belkyra is the first non-surgical injectable approved in Canada for moderate to severe fullness under the chin. Its active ingredient is deoxycholic acid, a substance the body already produces to help break down dietary fat. The synthetic form used in the injection breaks down the membranes of the fat cells it reaches, and the body clears them over the following weeks. Once those cells are gone they do not return, so most patients do not need ongoing maintenance after they reach the result they want.

Belkyra appeals to patients who want to reduce fullness under the chin without surgery, incisions or downtime from an operation. It is approved in Canada for the pocket of fat directly beneath the chin, known as submental fat, and that is the only area it should be used on. Treating outside that area, including the jawline, is not approved and carries a risk of affecting the nerve that controls the smile. If your concern is jawline definition or loose skin on the neck rather than a distinct pocket under the chin, a provider can point you to treatments designed for those instead. A consultation is the way to confirm which one fits.

Belkyra uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a substance found naturally in the body where it helps digest and absorb dietary fat.

Injected under the chin, it breaks down the membranes of the fat cells it contacts, and the body clears the debris over the following weeks. Those particular cells do not grow back, which is why the result generally holds without repeat treatment once you are happy with it. A stable weight protects that result, since significant weight gain can still enlarge the fat cells that remain. Your provider injects a tailored pattern across the treatment area and reassesses before each session.

You may be a good candidate for Belkyra if you:

• Have a double chin (submental fat) that is resistant to diet and exercise

• Do not want to undergo invasive surgery

• You are at a healthy and stable weight

• You are bothered by the appearance of your double chin

Before the procedure: The process of Belkyra is an outpatient procedure. It is important to remember that you may need more than one session of Belkyra in order to see the results you want. Sometimes it can take up to six sessions to get desired results.

Before starting your treatment, your provider will place a topical numbing cream under the chin to help ease any discomfort before injecting the area. In some cases, your provider might mark a grid of dots under your chin to map out where you need to be injected.

During the procedure: After you are completely numbed, your provider will complete your injections one by one. The number of injections you need is dependent on the degree of submental fat under the chin. Most patients need approximately 20 injections, but as many as 50 might be required.

After the procedure: There will be some swelling after your injections, but this is a sign that it is working. For 90 minutes after your procedure, do not apply makeup and avoid touching the area. If you must touch the injected area only, do so with clean hands.

24-48 hours after your Belkyra treatment, avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, exposure to UV radiation, and places with high heat such as sauna, steam room, tanning beds, hot showers, etc., as this may worsen swelling or any discomfort.

You may be instructed to apply a cold compress for 5 minutes, five times a day, for five days.

Belkyra does not work immediately, and it is designed as a course rather than a single visit. Sessions are spaced at least one month apart, and the treatment is approved for up to six, with the number depending on how much fullness you have and how you respond. Many patients notice a visible change after two or three sessions. The final result is judged a few weeks after your last session, once swelling has fully settled, because the fat clearing process continues in the background. Your provider will reassess your chin before each session and stop once you are happy with the outcome, so the course is often shorter than the maximum.

Belkyra is considered permanent – once the fat cells are destroyed, they won’t return.

Depending on how many injections are used, the cost of Belkyra (per session) can cost between $900-$1,800.

Most patients have noticeable local reactions after Belkyra, and they are expected rather than rare. In the clinical trials, swelling occurred in 87% of patients, bruising in 72%, pain in 70% and numbness in 66%, and redness and firmness under the chin are also common. These settle over days to a few weeks and tend to lessen with each session. Less common but more serious risks include injury to the marginal mandibular nerve, which causes an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness, in about 4% of patients, and difficulty swallowing in about 2%; both resolved on their own in the trials. Belkyra should only be injected by a trained provider who knows the anatomy of the area. Tell your provider straight away about trouble swallowing, or weakness that is not improving.

180/255 people who received Belkyra rated the procedure “Worth It” (71%)

– Source: Realself.com