Will eating after Botox on masseter decrease the effect and can you do another injection in 3 weeks?

Question

I had Botox jaw reduction 10 days ago. Unlike what my friends with past experience said, my doctor said that chewing wouldn't affect the effect. So I followed. Now I still don't see any improvements. I didn't even have any discomfort on the muscles since the injection. I'm not sure how many units were injected but I guess it wasn't enough. If so, It is safe to do another injection in addition next week? I really need improvement before early March. What else can I do to get result soon?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

No, chewing won't negatively impact your results. It can take 1-2 weeks for final results with Botox for masster reduction. If you're unhappy with your final results, you can have a touch up of Botox. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

You can go back to your provider and discuss your desire to have more Botox injected. If you believe that you need more vials, then it needs to be at least 10 dys after your first injection, so your injection site is not swollen. It takes time to see Botox effects with the masseter muscles. It is hard to give you any precise opinion without picture provided. Discuss this with your provider. Good luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

You can go back to your provider and discuss your desire to have more Botox injected. If you believe that you need more vials, then it needs to be at least 10 dys after your first injection, so your injection site is not swollen. It takes time to see Botox effects with the masseter muscles. It is hard to give you any precise opinion without picture provided. Discuss this with your provider. Good luck!

Georgios Ziakas, MD, FACS · Answer

Botox injections are done in the masseters either to decrease bruxism (teeth grinding) or in order to decrease muscle hypertrophy. Normal chewing may increase the uptake of the medication but excessive chewing will overwork the muscles and may lead to hypertrophy (a normal reaction of muscles to repeated and increased work load). Bruxism will imrpove in few days as Botox takes effect. Visible reduction of the masseter size will take much longer and is noticeable after 8 weeks or longer.

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Dear iamamermaid:
Chewing immediately after Botox is injected works the masseter muscles and at least theoretically may increase the uptake of Botox by the neuromuscular junctions such that more Botox is taken up and less diffuses away.  But excessive chewing, such as chewing gum for hours a day, may actually increase the size of the masseter muscles,
Usually an effect is seen by one week, but if your muscles are very large, you may not see much benefit from your first treatment, in which case more should be injected 7 to 14 days later.  As you continue your treatments (approximately every four months), you will see more of an effect from the same dose. Therefore, the dose may actually be reduced over time.
All the best,   Dr. Clark

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox and the masseter muscle is an expert technique.  It can take more than one treatment to reduce this muscle. It is too early after 10 days to expect any result.  You can safely have more units injected next week. Please consult an expert. Best, Dr. Green

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually injections to the masseter is performed every 4 months and you will not see much change for at least the 2nd or 3rd treatment in my opinion.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

You are not far enough out to see results as the masseter is a large muscle and takes longer to show results after injection. Chewing actually should make the results work faster and better. If after another week you don't have the results you want return and get more injected

Alain Michon, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. It is perfectly fine to eat and chew as long as the chewing  is not excessive. Lower face contouring with Botox injections at the masseter muscles may take up to a few weeks before you start seeing results. Usually 20-40 units per side are needed and re-injection might be necessary.  I recommend following up with your injector. Best of luck,

Drew Varano, MD · Answer

Botox injected into the masetter muscle can take several weeks to see improvements . Chewing or eating has no effect . You can re inject in a few weeks, but it is best to wait since it is a large muscle and needs time for the neurotoxin to exert its full effects

Will eating after Botox on masseter decrease the effect and can you do another injection in 3 weeks?

Answers (10)

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