Belkyra A Non-Surgical Approach to Double Chin Reduction
What Is Belkyra?
How Belkyra Works
Step 1
Deoxycholic acid injected into submental fat using a precisely mapped grid
Step 2
Fat cell membranes disrupted and destroyed (adipocytolysis)
Step 3
Mild inflammatory response; macrophages begin clearing the debris
Step 4
Fat volume reduces gradually; chin profile improves over weeks
Benefits of Belkyra Treatment
Health Canada Approved
Belkyra is the first injectable approved by Health Canada for the permanent reduction of submental fat, with an established record from multiple Phase III trials and nearly a decade of use in Canada.
Permanently Destroys Treated Fat Cells
Once fat cells are destroyed by deoxycholic acid, they do not regenerate, supporting lasting results in clients who maintain a stable weight.
Non-Surgical and Non-Anaesthetic
Belkyra is performed through small injections with a fine needle, with no incisions, no general anaesthesia, and no operating theatre required.
Gradual and Natural-Looking
Results develop progressively as the body clears treated fat cells over weeks, so the improvement looks entirely natural, not like an overnight change. c
Personalized Treatment Planning
The number of sessions, injection mapping, and product volume are tailored to your anatomy, degree of fullness, and goals. There is no standard protocol.
Improved Chin and Jawline Definition
As submental fullness reduces, the chin and jawline become more defined and the overall balance of the lower face often reads as more refined and refreshed.
Concerns Belkyra Can Help Address
Submental Fullness (Double Chin)
The classic double chin, where excess fat beneath the chin creates a visible fold or rounded appearance, is the primary concern Belkyra is designed to address, when caused by localized fat rather than loose skin or anatomical structure.
Reduced Jawline Definition
Excess submental fat can obscure the transition between the chin and neck, making the jawline appear less defined. Reducing this fat can restore clearer definition to the jaw-to-neck profile.
Persistent Submental Fullness at a Stable Weight
The submental area is often resistant to diet and exercise, as fat distribution is largely determined by genetics. For clients at a stable weight who still carry visible submental fat, Belkyra offers a targeted, non-surgical option.
Pre-Existing Submental Anatomy
Some clients have always had a fuller-appearing chin area due to natural anatomy rather than weight-related change. Belkyra can be appropriate where the fullness is confirmed to be fat tissue at consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Belkyra?
- Have visible submental fullness or a double chin that affects their profile or jawline definition
- Have submental fullness primarily driven by localized fat rather than skin laxity or skeletal structure
- Are at or near a stable, healthy weight Belkyra is not a weight management treatment
- Have realistic expectations about gradual, progressive results over multiple sessions
- Are prepared for the post-treatment swelling that is a normal and expected part of the process
- Are in good general health without contraindicated conditions
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an active infection, inflammation, or skin condition in the submental area
- Have had prior surgery or liposuction in the neck or submental area that may have altered the anatomy (requires assessment)
- Have submental fullness driven primarily by skin laxity rather than fat
- Have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Have a thyroid condition causing neck fullness that has not been medically evaluated
- Are seeking a substitute for overall weight management or bariatric treatment
What Happens During Your Belkyra Appointment
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Session Spacing
Minimum four weeks, typically four to six weeks between sessions.
Maximum Sessions
Six sessions per Health Canada protocol.
Typical Course
Two to four sessions for most clients with moderate submental fullness.
Final Result Timeline
Visible at four to six weeks after the last session, once fully cleared.
Before and After Your Belkyra Treatment
- Avoid alcohol for 24 to 48 hours before treatment.
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs for 5 to 7 days before treatment where medically safe. Confirm with your physician before stopping any regular medication.
- Avoid fish oil supplements and high-dose vitamin E in the days before treatment.
- Arrive with clean skin in the submental area, free of moisturiser, sunscreen, or makeup.
- Do not schedule treatment in the weeks immediately before a major event where visible swelling would be difficult to manage.
- If you have a history of cold sores, inform your specialist at booking.
- Apply a clean, cool compress gently to the treatment area in the first 24 to 48 hours to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Expect significant swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, and warmth for the first several days. This is normal, expected, and indicates the treatment is working.
- The treatment area may feel firm or hardened beneath the skin. This is a normal part of the healing process.
- Numbness in the treated area can develop and may persist for several weeks. This resolves for most clients without intervention.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid heat exposure, including saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths, for 24 to 48 hours.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated on the first night if possible.
- Do not attempt to massage or manipulate the treated area.
- Return for your follow-up and next session planning at the agreed interval.
Results and Timeline
When Will I See Results?
Visible improvement can be seen as early as four weeks after a session. Results continue to improve across the full course, with the most settled improvement visible four to six weeks after the final session.
Do Fat Cells Come Back?
The fat cells destroyed by Belkyra do not regenerate; this destruction is biologically permanent. Remaining fat cells can still respond to significant weight gain, so a stable weight supports the best long-term results.
Will Swelling Make Me Look Worse First?
Yes, initially, and we prepare every client for this. Swelling is significant, particularly after the first session, and the area will appear larger before it appears smaller. Plan treatment around your schedule accordingly.
Safety, Side Effects, and What to Expect During Recovery
- Significant swelling at and around the injection sites, particularly after the first session, typically peaking in 48 to 72 hours and reducing over 1 to 2 weeks.
- Bruising at the injection points, ranging from mild to moderate, resolving within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Pain, tenderness, and soreness, most pronounced in the first 24 to 72 hours, manageable with acetaminophen if needed.
- Redness and warmth at the injection sites, resolving within hours to days.
- Numbness or reduced sensation that can persist for several weeks to a few months in some clients, resolving without treatment for most.
- Firmness or hardness beneath the skin, a normal part of the healing process that gradually resolves.
- Temporary muscle weakness affecting the smile on the treated side (marginal mandibular nerve effect), typically resolving as the effect clears over weeks.
- Areas of skin firmness or nodule formation that persist beyond the usual healing window, less common with experienced practitioners.
When to Contact the Clinic
Contact DermEsthetics if you experience severe or unexpected pain, signs of skin breakdown, significant facial asymmetry affecting your smile, or any other concerning symptoms after treatment.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection, inflammation, or open wound in the submental area
- Prior surgical alteration of the submental anatomy (requires assessment)
- History of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Known allergy to deoxycholic acid or any formulation ingredient
Belkyra vs Surgical Liposuction What Is the Difference?
- Non-surgical, requires no incisions and no anaesthesia
- Multiple sessions required, spaced several weeks apart
- Results develop gradually over months
- Significant swelling for 1 to 2 weeks after each session
- Appropriate for mild to moderate submental fullness
- Total timeline from first session to final result: several months
- Surgical, performed under local or general anaesthesia
- Typically a single procedure
- More immediate structural change
- Surgical recovery, compression, downtime, healing risks
- Capable of addressing larger volumes of fat
- Can address multiple areas in a single procedure
Why Choose DermEsthetics for Your Belkyra Treatment
Thorough Pre-Treatment Assessment
We assess the submental anatomy, skin quality, and driving cause of your double chin at consultation before recommending any treatment. If Belkyra is not the most appropriate approach, we will tell you.
Honest Recovery Preparation
We explain the post-treatment swelling, firmness, and numbness in detail before you begin, not afterward. Clients who are prepared have a significantly better experience.
Session Planning That Fits Your Life
We discuss realistic session numbers, spacing, and the overall timeline before you commit to any treatment. We will not rush the planning of a multi-session treatment.