Can Botox Create a Thinner-looking Face?

I've heard that Botox can also be injected on the chewing muscles in the mouth to help to create a thinner-looking face. Is this true?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by CS1981 in San Jose, CA

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In a word, yes

The masseter muscle, one of the chewing muscles, is sometimes enlarged causing a squaring of the facial shape. It occurs most often in those of Asian heritage and can be helped by Botox injections. Botox will cause some shrinkage of the muscle and narrow the jaw, creating a more angular and feminine facial shape. This effect can be further enhanced by filling the cheek bone area with facial fillers. For better or worse, the effects of Botox injections are temporary and non cumulative,... more

Yes, Botox can assist in making the face appear thinner, especially with use of soft tissue fillers.

Botox certainly can assist both directly and indirectly in making the face appear thinner. Direct injection into one of the major muscles of the jaw that is used for chewing (mastication) has been reported to assist in making the lower third of the face appear thinner. However, an injection of this type is realized by the FDA as an “off-labeled use”; thus, it should be performed by someone experienced because of potential and unwanted adverse effects. I have injected this... more

Great for relief of Migraines, as well!

Injecting Botox into any muscle causes the muscle to stop working and shrink in size. We use this knowledge to make patients wrinkle-free. Injecting Botox into the chewing muscle (masseter muscle) will cause it to get smaller and the lower face will appear thinner. It is not used to make a round or chubby face smaller, only for those with prominent masseter muscles that define the shape of their face. The real use for injecting Botox into this muscle is to relieve muscle tension or migraine... more

Yes, Botox can be used on the masseter muscles

CS, It is possible to inject Botox into the masseter muscles to help thin the face. However, you should be sure that you are being injected by someone with extensive experience in Botox injection. It is not standard practice to use Botox in this way, but it can be done. I hope this is helpful. David Shafer, MD Shafer Plastic Surgery New York City

Botox and a thinner face

If the masseter muscles are prominent, the jawline can appear square. Botox can be injected into them to slim the face and give a more oval shape which is more feminine.

Botox and Making a Face Look "Thinner"

Botox, when properly applied, can reshape a face to make it look less square or thinner. There are a few important factors in deciding on an injector for this area: Facial anatomy- The injector should have knowledge of facial anatomy which is in depth. The nerve that controls the face is located near the masseter muscle and should not be injected Facial aesthetics- The face needs to be reshaped by placing botox in the proper location to create a softer appearing... more

Shaping the face with Botox

As the panel members all agreed upon, Botox or Dysport to the masseter muscle will help create a more rounded, less square appearance of the jawline. This has become more common in Asian patients that are wanting to create a less angular or wide look to this area of the face. It is not uncommon for those that suffer from TMJ to have this area treated for relief. Because dosing is on the high side in this large muscle, the expense must be outweighed by the benefits.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

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Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Botox can make jaw look less square.

Very hard to answer this question without examining you. If you think your lower face looks too wide AND if this excess width is due to overgrown masseter ( chewing )muscles, then very precisely placed Botox injections will help. This treatment requires a fair amount of Botox, which makes it more expensive, and it should only be done by a very experienced injector.

Sometimes, but not recommended

As the other doctors have mentioned, it is possible to narrow a rounded face with Botox. It is typically done only in the Asians with a large jaw. It is important to note that Botox injected into the masseter muscle has risks and should not be done by the casual injector. Also, there are surgical procedures that can be done to narrow the face, such as masseter muscle resection and buccal fat pad resection. A thorough consultation and physical examination will guide the best treatment... more

Botox Can Narrow a Round Face

Hi CS, Most of the initial reports of narrowing a round face were based on the injection of Botox into the masseter (chewing) muscles bilaterally in Asian patients. It must be done most carefully as you want to be able to still chew your food after the treatment, otherwise more than just your face will be thinner. Good luck and be well. Dr. P