BELKYRA™

What Is BELKYRA™ Used For?

BELKYRA™ is a lipolysis injection made from deoxycholic acid that is used to reduce localized fat under the chin. It is a minimally invasive alternative to liposuction and invasive surgery, which have significantly higher risks. 

Treatment with BELKYRA™ requires multiple injections into the chin, typically two to six treatments every few weeks. It takes around 20 to 25 minutes and has a downtime of two to five days (if patients develop swelling and bruising). The results are permanent, barring excessive weight gain. 

BELKYRA™ Indications

BELKYRA™ should only be used to improve the appearance of moderate to severe fullness under the chin area. It is not indicated for use outside the submental region and is not recommended for patients below the age of 18. 

BELKYRA™ is also contraindicated for patients who are hypersensitive to any ingredient in the formulation or container. 

In addition, this treatment should be administered only:

• Into the pre-platysmal subcutaneous fat tissue, not the post-platysmal fat
• By a health professional with specialized training. This is because the safe and effective use of BELKYRA™ depends on proper needle placement, the use of correct locations, and precise administration techniques. 

You should not inject BELKYRA™: 

• Within ⅓ to ½ inch of the lymph nodes, salivary glands, and muscles to avoid injury
• Near the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve because it can cause facial muscle weakness
• Into patients with prominent platysmal bands or excessively lax skin as this may lead to undesirable outcomes. 

Furthermore, BELKYRA™ should be used with caution in patients: 

• With a history of dysphagia, hepatic impairment, bleeding abnormalities (that require them to take anticoagulant drugs), immunosuppression, or renal impairment
• Who are nursing or pregnant
• Who are older than 65 years

BELKYRA™ Administration Technique

BELKYRA™ comes as single-use colorless vials containing 2mL of a 10 mg/mL solution of deoxycholic acid. It must be administered by professionals who have received training on how to use it. 

Here’s what the administration process looks like: 

• Palpate the area under the chin to find fat between the platysma and the dermis 
• Use a local injectable/topical anesthesia to numb the area 
• Outline the treatment area (one cm2 grid) using a surgical pen 
• Draw BELKYRA™ from the vial into a one mL syringe, pinch your patient’s submental fat, and inject 0.2 mL into each of the marked injection sites, which should be one cm apart. 

You should not withdraw the needle while injecting (it can cause skin ulceration) or inject BELKYRA™ into the dermis. Also, make sure the maximum dose in a single session doesn’t exceed 10 mL. This can increase the risk of severe side effects. 

BELKYRA™ Side Effects

While BELKYRA™ is generally well tolerated, your patient’s response to it can vary depending on the treatment area, SMF severity, and number of treatments. However, here are some common side effects they may experience: 

• Injection site bruising (72%)
• Pain (70%)
• Swelling (87%)
• Numbness (66%)
• Induration (23%)
• Erythema (27%)
• Injection site nodule (13%)
• Headache (8%)
• Dysphagia (2%)
• Skin tightness (5%)
• Nausea (2%)

Severe side effects of BELKYRA™ include: 

• Temporary increase in blood pressure (3%)
• Skin ulceration (≥ 2%)
• Marginal mandibular nerve injury (which leads to paresis or an asymmetric smile) that lasts for one to 298 days (44 days on average) (≥ 2%)
• Injection site hemorrhage (≥ 2%)
• Injection site urticaria or alopecia (≥ 2%)

• Lymphadenopathy (≥ 2%)
• Dysphonia (≥ 2%)
• Dysgeusia (≥ 2%)
• Pruritus (12%)

BELKYRA™ vs. Competition

BELKYRA™ isn’t the only fat dissolver on the market, but it is the best. Let’s understand why: 

1. Lipodissolve 

Lipodissolve is an injectable fat dissolver made from phosphatidylcholine. Unlike BELKYRA™, it is used to remove fat from around the eyes and other areas of the face. 

However, Lipodissolve is less predictable and effective compared to BELKYRA™ at fat reduction and carries a higher risk because of the use of multiple ingredients.             

2. Coolsculpting 

Coolsculpting is a fat-freezing, non-invasive procedure that can be used on many parts of the body. It causes fat cells to freeze and get removed by your body. These cells cannot be replaced. 

In contrast, BELKYRA™ is a minimally invasive treatment that’s specifically aimed at chin fat reduction. This means it’s more precise than cool sculpting, and you see results faster — in about six weeks after your treatment compared to six months for cool sculpting. 

Where Can I Buy BELKYRA™?

BELKYRA™ is produced by Allergan, the company that makes Juvederm and Botox. It comes in the form of ready-to-use 2 mL vials and is the only injectable approved by the FDA and Health Canada.  

If you’re looking to order BELKYRA™ online, reach out to our experts at Doctor Medica. We will guide you on how to buy BELKYRA™ wholesale safely.