Cosmetic practitioners may soon have a new tool at their disposal designed to noninvasively reduce fat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kythera Biopharmaceuticals’s fat-burning injectable Kybella (also known as ATX-101). The injectable is a patented formulation of a pure, non-animal-derived version of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown of dietary fat and is intended to reduce submental fat (double chin) in adults. According to the company, patients can receive up to 50 injections in a single treatment. Treatment sessions typically take 15 to 20 minutes, and many patients experience visible results after two to four treatments. Once the desired appearance is achieved, results are expected to be permanent. “For the first time, people have access to an FDA-approved, non-surgical treatment for submental fullness, a condition that can negatively impact the overall appearance of the face and can result in a person feeling older and heavier,” says Keith Leonard, Jr, cofounder, CEO, and president of Kythera. “With Kybella, physicians can offer a clinically proven treatment that is customized to the patient and their treatment goals for an improved chin profile.” More than 20 clinical studies support the Kybella treatment, and a majority of participants reported reduced fat in the chin area and high satisfaction with the results.