Aqualyx
Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength It is usually mixed with a local anaesthetic before injecting, so the treatment itself stings less.
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Aqualyx vs Kybella
Aqualyx is the fat-dissolving injection used in the UK and Europe, and it is used on the body as well as the chin. It is a weaker solution than Kybella, so a session covers a wider area and a course usually runs longer. Kybella is the version approved in the United States, for under the chin only. It has a fixed dose, a set schedule and side-effect rates counted in trials. They both work the same way, so where you live decides this more than anything else.
At a glance
| The difference | Aqualyx | Kybella |
|---|---|---|
| What is in the syringe | Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength | Deoxycholic acid, at one fixed strength |
| How the result looks | A softer, thinner area | A moderate change under the chin |
| Cost | Priced per session, often per vial | Priced per vial, and per session |
Kybella
Side by side
The differences that matter
What is in the syringe
Aqualyx
Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength
It is usually mixed with a local anaesthetic before injecting, so the treatment itself stings less.
Kybella
Deoxycholic acid, at one fixed strength
The dose is set: a measured amount per point, points about a centimetre apart, and a ceiling per session. The molecule is made in a lab rather than taken from bile.
How it works
Aqualyx
Breaks open fat cell walls
Deoxycholic acid is a substance your body already makes to break down fat from food. Injected into a fat pad, it damages the cell membranes.
Kybella
The same, from the same molecule
Where it is used
Aqualyx
Chin, flanks, thighs, tummy, chest
Body areas are part of ordinary practice with it.
Kybella
Under the chin only
The maker states that use outside that area is not recommended.
How many sessions
Aqualyx
Often two to six
Spaced three to four weeks apart. The weaker solution is part of why the course runs longer.
Kybella
Usually three, up to six
At least a month apart. Most people who respond do so by the third session.
Afterwards
Aqualyx
Swelling, tenderness, bruising
The area swells and feels firm and sore for several days. Larger body areas swell for longer.
Kybella
The same, and counted
In the trials nearly everyone swelled, most bruised, and numbness was common. About 4% had a temporarily uneven smile from nerve irritation near the jaw, and every case settled by itself.
How the result looks
Aqualyx
A softer, thinner area
A gradual change over several weeks, judged best in photographs.
Kybella
A moderate change under the chin
About 68% of people improved by one grade of chin fullness, against about 21% given a placebo injection. Fewer than one in five improved by two grades.
More photographs
Kybella
Cost
Aqualyx
Priced per session, often per vial
Kybella
Priced per vial, and per session
The at-home or drugstore version
Aqualyx
There is not one
Kybella
There is not one
Who each suits
Aqualyx
- Best for — Someone in the UK or Europe with a small pocket of fat, on the chin or the body.
- The mindset — A longer course, a wider area, and a gradual change.
Kybella
- Best for — Someone in the US with a defined pad under the chin and firm skin over it.
- The mindset — A fixed dose, a swollen week each time, and a documented result.
Where you are decides most of this
Aqualyx
Aqualyx is the product most UK and European clinics use. Kybella is available in some countries under the name Belkyra, and not in others.
Kybella
Kybella is the product on offer in the United States. Aqualyx is not sold there.
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Is Aqualyx the same as Kybella?
They are not the same product, but they rely on the same active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, and work the same way. Aqualyx is weaker and is used in the UK and Europe. Kybella is the version approved in the United States.
Can I get Aqualyx in the US?
No. Aqualyx is not sold there. Kybella is the fat-dissolving injection available in the United States, and it is for under the chin only.
Can Kybella be used on my stomach or thighs?
The maker says use outside the area under the chin is not recommended. Aqualyx is used on body areas as part of ordinary practice in the UK and Europe.
How many sessions does each need?
Aqualyx is often two to six sessions, three to four weeks apart. Kybella is usually three, sometimes up to six, at least a month apart.
How swollen will I be?
Swollen enough that people notice, with both. The area is puffy, tender and firm for several days, and larger body areas swell for longer. Bruising and numbness are common.
Do the results last?
The fat cells destroyed do not come back. The ones left behind can still enlarge, so the result depends on your weight staying steady.