Long Face - Can Botox Make It a Little Bit Round or Square?

Question

My face has always been long but it wasnt that long before. I think its because of gaining and loosing weight thro the years. When i smile it looks fine but when i dont do any face expression it kinda looks long! I'm wondering if botox can make my face look wider? Appreciate your help. Thank you!

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Botox can thin out the face more, as it is used in reducing hypertrophic masseter muscles of the cheek. If the platysma muscle in the neck below the side of the jaw is injeced to lift up the skin, the angle of the jaw may become more defined, but it won't round out the face. You may need fat injections, Radiesse or Sculpra for panfacial volume augmentation.

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

Hi DsrtRose in Kuwait,

	Botox Cosmetic if used appropriately may be able to change the shape of your face, but this change occurs slowly. Botox Cosmetic has been used to slim the jawline by reducing the masseter muscle on the sides of the jaw, thus avoiding plastic surgery. Results are typically seen after several weeks and maintained for several months. Treatment doses for slimming the jaws are typically a little higher than standard Botox Cosmetic used for wrinkles in the forehead or Crow's feet. Jaw reduction, with Botox or plastic surgery, is more common in patients from Asian countries, such as China or South Korea. Botox treatment is performed in the office, and anesthesia is not required.

	Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a plastic surgeon or Botox specialist can help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

	Dr. Chaboki

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Botox would not be a good option for making your face appear less long or thin. Fillers could be useful in providing cheek fullnes and longer term results could be achieved with fat grafts. Facial implants are another alternative.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Desert R,

	Botox will not shorten your "long" face.  Properly placed volume in your face, such as Sculptra can change the shape of your face from the long rectangular face of aging back to the oval, heart shaped face of youth.  Good luck and be well there in Kuwait.

	Dr. P

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Botox won't change facial shape. On;y surgery will change the shape of the face, normally requiring implants made of silicone.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear DsrtRose

	Quite the opposite, BOTOX is used to shape the jaw line.  The effect for people with round faces is to make the face more angular.  In looking at your photo, volume in the form of fillers at the top of the cheek will help balance your face.  This is what I would recommend for you.

Robert Kasten, MD · Answer

Fillers like Juvederm are a far better option to give you a fuller or rounder face in a natural way.

Mary P. Lupo, MD · Answer

For helping improve a long and somewhat gaunt face, Sculptra is the first choice in my opinion. Botox would not help.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

An exam in person is key to figure out what exactly bothers you. Botox would not make your face rounder. Fillers may help but so can certain surgical procedures.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Thanks for posting a photo. But Botox makes the face MORE angular not rounder. Try fillers or fat transfer to round out your face before implants. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski