BOTOX^® is a prescription medication that has helped millions of women and men around the world soften their moderate to severe crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead furrows. BOTOX^® treatments also fit into even the most hectic lifestyles because they are non-surgical, require no downtime, and provide nearly instant results. But did you know BOTOX^® can also slim your face? Read on to learn more about this benefit of BOTOX^®. This treatment, often called masseter BOTOX^® or jaw BOTOX^®, has become one of the most searched non-surgical options for slimming a wide or square jawline.

How Does BOTOX^® Work?

BOTOX^® not only treats existing wrinkles but also prevents new ones from forming. It’s a purified form of the botulinum toxin that works by latching onto nerve endings, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contractions. That’s the science behind how BOTOX^® injections temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles due to repetitive facial expressions like frowning, smiling, and squinting. The same muscle-relaxing action is what allows BOTOX^® to soften an overactive masseter (chewing) muscle, which is the mechanism behind both jawline slimming and BOTOX^® for TMJ relief.

How Can You Use Masseter BOTOX^® for Lower Face Contouring and Jawline Slimming?

In addition to treating dynamic lines and wrinkles, BOTOX^® can be an effective way to reshape a prominent jawline. How? Well, if your face is overly wide around your jaw, the culprits behind that are probably your masseter muscles, otherwise known as your chewing muscles. These muscles are responsible for moving your jaw up and down. This targeted use is commonly known as masseter BOTOX^® or jaw BOTOX^®, and it’s one of the fastest-growing non-surgical treatments for jawline slimming.

As you age, these muscles can become more defined, resulting in a lower face that looks square, especially in patients who frequently chew gum or have a habit of grinding their teeth. However, BOTOX^® injections in your masseter muscles can slim your jawline. One or more injections will help to reduce the force of these muscles, resulting in a slimmer lower face.

Compared to more invasive recontouring procedures, which include paring down the jawbone, reshaping the jawline with BOTOX^® is non-surgical, and there are minimal side effects and no need to miss work after treatment. If you’re weighing your options, our comparison of masseter BOTOX^® and surgical jaw contouring can help you decide which approach best fits your goals.

Are You a Good Candidate for Masseter BOTOX^®?

Most people who are in good physical health, are not pregnant or nursing, and whose skin has plenty of elasticity are well-qualified to receive BOTOX^® injections. However, not everyone is a good candidate for BOTOX^® jawline recontouring. Masseter BOTOX^® is also a popular option for both men and women. Men often seek it to soften an overly square or bulky jaw, while women often want a slimmer, more oval facial contour.

To determine if BOTOX^® along your jawline is right for you, a cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Jeffrey L. Schmidt can measure the thickness of your masseter muscle. If your chewing muscles are extremely firm and enlarged in appearance when you bite down, you’re most likely a good candidate for this treatment. Patients who clench or grind their teeth at night or who experience jaw tension or headaches from TMJ disorder, are frequently good candidates too, since the same injections that slim the jaw can also ease that discomfort.

Can Masseter BOTOX^® Relieve TMJ Pain and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?

Jawline slimming isn’t the only reason patients seek out masseter BOTOX^®. Because the treatment relaxes the same overactive chewing muscles that cause a square jaw, it’s also widely used to ease the jaw pain, headaches, and tooth wear associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding and clenching.

By reducing the force of the masseter muscle, BOTOX^® injections can lessen the pressure placed on the jaw joint and teeth, which many patients notice as less morning jaw soreness, fewer tension headaches, and a looser, more relaxed jaw overall.

If you’re interested in masseter BOTOX^® primarily for TMJ or bruxism relief rather than cosmetic contouring, let Dr. Schmidt know during your consultation. The treatment itself is very similar, but your injection pattern may be adjusted depending on whether jaw slimming, symptom relief, or both are your main goal.

What Are the Side Effects of Jawline Reshaping with BOTOX^®?

When performed by a qualified injector, BOTOX^® jaw contouring won’t result in any difficulties eating, talking, smiling, or chewing. BOTOX^® treatments are also a quick and relatively painless in-office procedure. In rare cases, patients may notice temporary jaw weakness, an uneven smile, or mild difficulty chewing tougher foods if the BOTOX^® affects a nearby muscle. This is uncommon with an experienced injector and typically resolves on its own as the treatment wears off.

Immediately following the injections, contracting the treated muscles by moving your jaw around can help evenly distribute the BOTOX^® throughout the injection site. You should also avoid exercising, bending over, or rubbing your jaw for the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure to make sure the BOTOX^® settles in the specific spot and doesn’t migrate to other muscles.

The most common side effects of BOTOX^® injections are short-term redness, bruising, irritation, and tenderness around the injection site. These are usually mild and will resolve themselves a day or two after treatment.

Masseter BOTOX^® vs. Surgical Jaw Contouring: Which Is Right for You?

Patients who want a narrower or more oval jawline sometimes ask whether BOTOX^® or a surgical procedure, such as jaw reduction surgery or buccal fat removal, is the better choice.

Surgical jaw contouring can create a more dramatic, permanent change, but it also involves general anesthesia, a longer recovery, and a greater risk of complications. Masseter BOTOX^® offers a much lower-commitment alternative: there’s no incision, no anesthesia, and most patients return to their normal routine the same day.

The tradeoff is that BOTOX^® results are temporary and more subtle than surgery, since the treatment works by relaxing the masseter muscle rather than altering the bone structure underneath it. For many patients with a square jaw caused primarily by an enlarged masseter muscle, rather than the underlying jawbone itself, masseter BOTOX^® can achieve a noticeably slimmer profile without ever going under the knife.

During your consultation, Dr. Schmidt can help you determine whether your jawline width comes mainly from muscle, bone, or a combination of both, which is the key factor in deciding whether BOTOX^® or a surgical approach will get you the results you want.

How Many Units of BOTOX^® Will I Need, and What Does It Cost?

The number of units needed for masseter BOTOX^® depends on the size and strength of your chewing muscles, but most patients require roughly 20 to 30 units per side, for a total of about 40 to 60 units.

Pricing varies by provider and by how many units your treatment requires, though patients undergoing masseter BOTOX^® nationally typically pay somewhere in the range of $400 to $900 per session. Because everyone’s anatomy and goals are different, the most accurate way to find out what your treatment will cost is during a private consultation, where Dr. Schmidt can evaluate your jawline and recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Most patients need a touch-up treatment every few months to maintain their slimmer jawline, so it’s worth factoring ongoing maintenance into your budget when considering this treatment.

Ready for Masseter BOTOX^® in Denver, CO?

Within the first week after getting BOTOX^® injected into your masseter muscles, you can expect your jawline to feel and look softer. The results will continue to improve over the next several weeks and will last between six months and one year after getting treatment. You may wish to have periodic touch-up sessions to maintain your improved jawline. Because the masseter is one of the strongest muscles in the body, some patients find they need a touch-up around 4 to 6 months, while others maintain their results closer to a year after their initial session. Dr. Schmidt can give you a more personalized estimate based on your muscle strength and treatment goals.

BOTOX^® is a safe, FDA-approved way to smooth wrinkles and reshape your face. Now, surgery isn’t your only option for jawline recontouring. Get the results you want at Schmidt Facial Plastic Surgery. Contact our office to schedule your private consultation today.

Massester BOTOX^® FAQs

How is masseter BOTOX^® different from regular BOTOX^® for wrinkles?

The BOTOX^® itself is the same product, but the difference is where and how much is injected. For wrinkles, small amounts are placed just under the skin to relax expression lines. For jawline slimming, larger amounts are injected directly into the masseter muscle to reduce its size and strength.

How soon will I see results, and how long do they last?

Most patients notice a softer jawline within the first week, with full results developing over the following few weeks. How long results last varies from patient to patient. See the “BOTOX^® in Denver, CO” section above for more detail on what affects your timeline.

Can men get masseter BOTOX^®, or is it mainly for women?

Masseter BOTOX^® works well for both men and women. Men often use it to soften an overly square or bulky jawline, while women often use it to create a slimmer, more oval facial contour. Regardless, the treatment itself is the same, just tailored to your goals.

Will masseter BOTOX^® change how I chew, talk, or smile?

When performed by an experienced injector like Dr. Schmidt, masseter BOTOX^® shouldn’t interfere with normal chewing, talking, or smiling. In rare cases, patients notice mild, temporary changes if a nearby muscle is affected, which typically resolve on their own.

Can I combine jawline BOTOX^® with other treatments?

Yes. Many patients pair masseter BOTOX^® with other non-surgical treatments, such as dermal filler along the jawline or chin, to further refine and balance their facial profile. Dr. Schmidt can recommend a combination that fits your specific anatomy and goals during your consultation.