Should I get botox to slim masseter muscles? (Photo)

Question

Hi I am a 19 yr old and I’ve been thinking about getting Botox in the far future to make my face narrower. I am not sure if enlarged massater muscles is what is causing my face to look wide or if it’s bone structure. Am I a good candidate for this?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is my expertise and a huge portion of my practice. Asymmetry is normal and expected. Buccal fat pad gives slimming not symmetry. Masseter botox will make you slimmer and make the jawline more loose. Fillers help give shaping and contouring. If you want perfect or close to perfect symmetry you need maxillofacial surgery or implants customized. I suggest seeing an expert to go through all options. Most of my younger clients use fillers to give them shaping especially on the cheeks, jawline, and chin which make the face look more slim and tight; and threads such as PDO or Instalift can build collagen and support the facial shaping and skin looseness over time, slowing down the aging process and given the face a more “snatched” look; and morpheus8 or PiXel8 deep microneedling RF can tighten crepe skin especially on the neck and jawline and is great for long term tightening of the full face, neck and chest; its often used to give the face a slimmer more sculpted look because it tightens the skin and gives lift. an early face lift can be performed as well even in younger clients if they want a different facial shape, maxillofacial surgery with bone breaking or shaving can also be done. For facial slimming a combination of treatments are always needed. Options include: 1. Buccal fat pad removal to reduce fat on the lower face 2. Factite or Renuvion/J Plasma to tighten the lower face, jawline, and chin to reduce fat and give the jawline and neck tightening and shaping. 3. Botox to the masseter to reduce the muscular size of the jaw giving the face an illusion of being more slender 4. Fillers to the jawline, chin, cheeks, temples and brow help to shape the face and make it more angled and defined Always use at home derma rolling (see link to Emerageskin x anteageMD roller plus stem cells/hyaluronic acid ampules) and peels like emeragecosmetics enlighten or aerify that can be used to improve skin quality and tighten the skin while improving wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and Melasma. See an expert who does facial shaping with surgical and non surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. If you are unhappy with the shape of your lower face due to an enlarged masseter muscle (muscle used for chewing), Botox may be able to help (especially if your jaw appears wider when you bite down and you struggle with teeth grinding). Based on your photo, you may benefit from Botox to the masseter muscle. Botox injections will help relax the muscle by limiting its movement and preventing it from exerting too much pressure. When it relaxes, it will shrink back and in effect, improves the balance and proportions of the face. It can give your jaw a slimmer appearance.

I recommend consulting with a reputable, experienced injector who has the skill to precisely inject Botox with the right dosage into treatment areas and avoid risks and complications. They also know the most advanced injection techniques to achieve facial balance and ensure you safely achieve your desired results.

I recommend consulting with a reputable, experienced injector who has the skill to precisely inject Botox with the right dosage into treatment areas and avoid risks and complications. They also know the most advanced injection techniques to achieve facial balance and ensure you safely achieve your desired results.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

If your facial fullness widens when you clench your jaw, this could be masseter enlargement, and if that’s the case neurotoxin treatment may be considered. Hope that helps! Dr Joseph

Begin Anew Med Spa · Answer

It is hard to fully assess from just a picture whether the fullness is from bone structure or masseter muscles. It would be best to have an in-person assessment by a provider to ensure you get the best possible outcomes.

Geeta Yadav, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! When injected into the masseter muscles of the face, Botox can have a slimming effect on the jawline. It’s important to note that this slimming effect isn’t overly dramatic and will only be effective if a jaw appears wider due to overactive masseters rather than inherent bone structure. This solution is only temporary, and tends to last a maximum of eight months in most patients. Hope this helps!

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Botulinum toxin (e.g. Botox, Dysport, etc) has been used for years, off-label, to slim & weaken the masseter muscle for jaw-shaping, and to reduce TMJ pain, clenching & grinding. Your dermatologist can assess you to see how much of your jaw shape is bone, vs. muscle. If there is a bulging/hard cheek muscle when you clench your teeth, then likely botulinum toxin will be helpful for jaw shaping. It will fully kick in after 2 weeks, and lasts between 3-6 months duration, depending on how many years you've been treating it (the longer you've been treating it, the longer it will last) and what dose (larger dose, longer duration)

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Botox injected in the masseter muscle can help to slim the jawline.  It takes about two weeks for the treatment to be in effect and the results will fade gradually over three to four months.  See an expert injector near you to learn more.

Kurt Kuhlman, DO · Answer

You are a good candidate for Botox to be injected into your masseter muscles. About 40 units per side for a couple treatments 6 months apart should help

Sarah Cazorla, MD · Answer

Hello, I looked at your photo. So masseter hypertophy can be treated with botox. You usually need a few treatment sessions to see the results and treatment sessions are spaced 3 months apart. That being said I have to say that your masseters may have a minor contribution to the width of your jawline and you may see some slimming affect from treatment. What you see is mostly your bone structure. I must say though you have a fantastic jawline that many men request when they come to see me. Your jawline is very masculine with excellent definition. In my personal opinion I would not treat it. Just my two cents.

James Fernau, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, and thanks for your question. From the picture, it seems that your bone structure is what is making your face look full, which is a very attractive feature in human anatomy. I don't think that injecting botox in your masseter would make your face look drastically slimmer. It will paralyze the muscle which will cause the muscle to shrink slightly but probably not drastically enough to notice. You could always try it out and see if it works on you! Personally, I don't think you need to make any changes to your face. Best of luck to you! 
Sincerely, James Fernau, MD FACS Aesthetic Surgery Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Member: American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) American Academy of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) The Rhinoplasty Society

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