I have fat on my cheeks & jaw which make my face look round & chubby even though I'm fit. What can I do to fix this? (Photos)

Question

Contour Face/Jawline: I don't have a double chin but have fat on the cheeks and jaws which make my face look round and chubby even though I'm fit and normal weight. What can I do to fix this? I prefer less evasive procedures like Botox, Kybella, and fillers. Am I a good candidate for those?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, it appears your masseter muscle is enlarged. This often occurs to people who frequently grind or clench their teeth. The best solution for this concern is injections of Botox directly into the muscle. As the muscle relaxes, it also decreases in size to create a narrower jawline. Make sure you work with a board-certified dermatologist who has experience in this procedure, to ensure the dosing amount and needle placement create a natural result.

Dima Ali, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the pictures.  Aesthetically, a "chubby" face is often referred to as a youthful face.  Having said that, if you're not happy with it, there are things you can do to slim your face that work well without taking fat out of your face.  I would start with botox in your masseter muscle; I'm not a big fan of Kybella as the amount of swelling and downtime is often not worth the result achieved.  I hope this helps!  Dr. Dima

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Although the photos are not ideal, there appears to significant widening of the lower jawline posteriorly, (an issue more common in Asian patients) which often results from or is magnified by masseter muscle hypertrophy. If this is in fact the case here, the use of Botox (or other neuromodulators, such as Dysport, Xeomin or Juveau)) can be injected directly into the base of the muscle to diminish the muscular hypertrophy and thereby taper the lower face. Additionally, most especially in women with a wider lower face, performing nonsurgical chin augmentation with an injectable volumizing filler (buy virtue of enhancing chin projection) can further help to taper the lower face along the jawline. Make sure that you consult with a board certified aesthetic physician. Best of luck.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concern, however your issue is really extra fat of your neck and jowl regions. While physical examination would be helpful, it appears that micro liposuction of your neck and jowls with possible Botox of your cheek regions may be the best option for you. By utilizing small cannulas expert contouring of those areas can be performed. Your larger cheek region is secondary to enlarged muscles of that area and BOTOX is an effective option to shrink those areas. Come see me or another board-certified plastic surgeon in our area for a full evaluation. Good luck.

Pure Aesthetics - Gainesville · Answer

Hi!
It looks like you have a large master muscle, which is making your jaw look wide and your face have more of a square shape. Do you grind your teeth? That increases the size of these muscles because they are constantly working and growing. Injecting a neuromodulator into them such as Botox or Dysport will relax and weaken the muscles, and over time thin them out. This will cause your face to become more heart-shaped over time and also to look thinner. 
There are other interventions you can do such as Kybella if you desire more contouring under the jawline, but from the looks of it, I think a little Botox will do the trick-plus it will help with dental health!

Lisa S. Bunin, MD · Answer

You appear to have enlargement of the chewing muscle ("masseter") causing a widening of the lower jaw. This can easily be treated with Botox or another neuromodulator like Xeomin or Dysport to reduce the muscle mass and perhaps I would also balance your face profile with some filler on the chin like Radiesse to improve your balance and profile.  i would NOT recommend doing anything to remove facial fat as you are pretty and young, and will naturally lose fat as you age and then would have to be FILLING your face!  I always approach patients with not only their immediate concerns in mind, but try to share my experience to see into their future and how their face will change with age.  Please do not use a practitioner without tons of experience--you don't want to do something today that will cause you problems in a few years. Enjoy your beauty and be smart about this.  Good luck to you! ---Dr. Lisa

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Filler is used for absence of fat in areas of the face which ages patients prematurely. In your case, you have full cheeks and filler would not be an option.  As you age, the fat will begin to dissipate but, at this time, you look lovely. Embrace your anatomy!

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

Hi there, The fact that you're not happy with the lower portion of your face may imply that the proportions of the your face may not be ideal. Personally, I don't see excess fat in the lower portion of the face. In order to determine if anything can be done, you should come in and have an evaluation in person. Only then can justifiable treatment options be discussed. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City plastic surgery