Kabelline
Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength Blends vary between sellers, and some also list plant extracts. There is no single approved formula to check a batch against.
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Kabelline vs Kybella
Kabelline is a Korean fat-dissolving solution, and it is weaker than Kybella. It uses the same active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, and is used routinely in South Korea, usually over more sessions. Kybella is the version approved as a prescription drug in the United States. It has one fixed strength, a dosing table and side-effect rates counted in trials. In the US, Kabelline is not an approved product, so the practical difference is how much you can check before it goes in.
At a glance
| The difference | Kabelline | Kybella |
|---|---|---|
| What is in the vial | Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength | Deoxycholic acid, at one fixed strength |
| What area it is used on | Chin and body | Under the chin only |
| What is known about side effects | Reported as swelling, bruising and soreness | Counted in 513 treated people |
| Cost | Usually the cheaper session price | Priced per vial, and per session |
Kybella
Side by side
The differences that matter
What is in the vial
Kabelline
Deoxycholic acid, at a lower strength
Blends vary between sellers, and some also list plant extracts. There is no single approved formula to check a batch against.
Kybella
Deoxycholic acid, at one fixed strength
One strength, one vial size, one label. The maker also says not to dilute it or mix it with anything.
How it works
Kabelline
Breaks open fat cell walls
Deoxycholic acid is a substance your body already makes to break down fat from food.
Kybella
The same, from the same molecule
Where you can get it
Kabelline
Mostly outside the US
It is a mainstream product in South Korea and some other countries. In the US it is not approved, and it is mainly sold through online distributors.
Kybella
US clinics, on prescription
Sold under the name Belkyra in some other countries, and not available in all of them.
What area it is used on
Kabelline
Chin and body
Practice varies by country and by clinic.
Kybella
Under the chin only
The maker states that use outside that area is not recommended.
How many sessions
Kabelline
Often four or more
The lower strength is part of why the course runs longer. Sessions are spaced a few weeks apart.
Kybella
Usually three, up to six
At least a month apart. Most people who respond do so by the third session.
What is known about side effects
Kabelline
Reported as swelling, bruising and soreness
There is no published side-effect table from a controlled trial, so how often each problem happens is not documented.
Kybella
Counted in 513 treated people
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.
Cost
Kabelline
Usually the cheaper session price
Kybella
Priced per vial, and per session
The at-home or drugstore version
Kabelline
There is not one
Kybella
There is not one
Who each suits
Kabelline
- Best for — Someone treated in a country where it is a normal, regulated part of practice.
- The mindset — A longer course, a gentler dose, 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.
The active ingredient is the same
Kabelline
Kabelline is the gentler one. Less per injection usually means less swelling per session, and more sessions to reach the same place.
Kybella
Kybella is the stronger of the two. That is why its course is shorter and its swelling is more pronounced.
What you can and cannot check
Kabelline
With Kabelline in the US, most of that is not available to you. It has not been through US trials, and some online sellers describe it as FDA-approved when it is not.
Before you book
More photographs
Kybella
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Is Kabelline the same as Kybella?
Not the same product, but the same active ingredient. Both use deoxycholic acid to break down fat cells. Kabelline is a Korean solution at a lower strength; Kybella is the version approved as a prescription drug in the United States.
Is Kabelline FDA approved?
No. Some online sellers describe it that way, but it has not been through US trials and is not an approved product there. Kybella is the approved one.
Why does Kabelline need more sessions?
It is weaker per injection, so more rounds are usually needed to reach the same result. Sessions are spaced a few weeks apart.
Which one swells more?
Kybella, because it is stronger. Swelling is expected with both, is part of how the injections work, and settles over days to a couple of weeks.
Can either one be used on my stomach?
Kybella is meant for under the chin only, and the maker says use elsewhere is not recommended. Kabelline is used on body areas in some countries, and practice varies.
What should I ask before I have either?
Ask what is being injected, by brand and strength, where it was supplied from, how many sessions the plan expects, and what the whole course costs.