Jawline Botox Affected my Smile, Will Facial Muscle Exercise Help Get my Smile Back? (photo)

Botox can be injected into the masseter muscles to lengthen the face, slim the jawline, and decrease the "squareness" of the jawline. It is a place for experienced injectors only - so that is good that you went to someone with experience. Botox, xeomin, and dysport (the neuromodulators on the market in the US), do diffuse away from where they are injected. The amount of diffusion depends on how much saline the botox is made up in. As long as the doctor is using the same concentration everytime, they should have a good idea of diffusion.

The botox can diffuse slightly into the muscles that control smiling when you are treating the lower face. Luckily, your smile should return back to completely normal. I know it can be frustrating, and make you feel self conscious. Hang in there. It usually takes a lot less than the 4 months. I have seen smiles go back to normal after even a few weeks. It can't hurt to do smile exercises.

Finally, if I was your doctor, I would definitely want to see you back - as would all good docs - so I would counsel you to call your doctor and see him/her back.

The injection affected the muscle that pulls back on the corner of the mouth.  In my opinion, a good starting dose for seomeone like yourself would be 15-20 units per side.  In any event, this effect will wear away, but will take time.

You do have to becareful with masseter injections since the product can diffuse into the neighboring smile muscles if placed too superficially and too anteriorly.  I use a very small amount of saline to dilute the neuromodulator (Botox, Dysport or Xeomin), and place product deep and into the belly of the muscle.  Unfortunately, you may have to wait until the Xeomin wears off to regain the smile.