How difficult would it be and how long would it take to use Botox to reduce the temporal muscles?

Question

How difficult would it be and how long would it take to use Botox to reduce the temporal muscles, reducing the width of the head? I've seen before and after pictures of people having their jaw muscles reduced and wondered if the same is possible for the head.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

It's possible to do this but your temporal muscle is used for chewing functions. You should make an appointment with a qualified plastic surgeon that has experience with this procedure.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I have done this before and seen good results, it takes many more units and lasts 4-6 months.  The issue is that the temporal muscle helps you chew, yawn etc and any toxin that decreases the strength of this can have difficulty with mouth opening more than closing (which is the masseter).  I suggest only seeing in expert to determine if you are a cndidate.  You may need filler on the forhead or jawline to give you a more proportional face and thus making the temples less noticeable -- if they are that "large" to begin with.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

This is not a common indication for cosmetic Botox.  You should see a plastic surgeon in person to discuss your concerns and options.Best,

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.You should see a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery to discuss your concern. You are describing it as the temporal muscle, but your concern may be wide lateral orbital rims or even a wide frontal bone or even bossing. Impossible to give advice on this without a consultation. I have done thousands of injectable procedures with botox and/or filler and have yet to inject botox to the temporalis muscle.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello swestbrooks,Thanks for your question.  Unless you have some type of temporal muscle hypertrophy or migraine headaches that involve the temporal muscles, what is your reason for Botox?  The fact is that over time, most people naturally develop temporal hollowing and this tends to be aesthetically displeasing.  They come to get  injectible filler to smooth out the depressions.  If you do choose to have Botox injections there, they are easy to do and take only 2-3 rounds of Botox to start seeing changes.  Because the temporal muscles are used a lot for chewing they will need to get regular maintenance treatment.  Find a Botox injection specialist in your community to get evaluated.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and as the others have noted, this is not a very usual request for Botox injections. Temporal muscle enlargement is not very common; temporal muscle atrophy or depression can be fixed with fillers. If there is masseter muscle hypertrophy or enlargement – the area about halfway on the jawline, then Botox can be used here to reduce them, if they are enlarged.I would suggest that you consult with a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon and learn the various treatment options that are available to you. These groups know the most about fillers and toxins and they understand the anatomy of the areas in question the best. Find the right doc and see what can be done for you.

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD · Answer

Some people clench and/or grind their teeth (bruxism), especially at night. This may cause enlargement of both the jaw muscle (masseter) as well as the temporalis muscle. If clenching is an issue for you, you may consider relaxing your jaw muscles first, to see if there is any secondary effect to the temple.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This could take a few months and ALOT of Botox to reduce the size of the temporalis muscles. This is a common injection point for migraine treatment but very unusual for aesthetic reasons. Full temples are a symbol of youth while hollow temples signify age or failing health. Placing fillers in the temples to add youthful volume, for this reason, is much more common than trying to reduce the mass of the temporalis muscle and potentially create hollowing. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

As with masseter muscle hypertrophy, it would take 2-3 sessions.This is an unusual request or question as very very few people request this area to be treated. But, as in all hypertrophied muscles, it could be treated.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

This is a quite unusual request.We often see patients who want the opposite. As people get older, they often get fitting of the temporal area.Injecting Botox in any muscle will cause paralysis or weakness. With this will come muscle atrophy or shrinkage of the muscle.The temporalis muscle is a functional muscle that is one of two major muscles used for chewing.The only providers that I know of who treat this muscle do so for TMJ or temporal mandibular joint problems.These are typically oral surgeons.Best of luck, Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

How difficult would it be and how long would it take to use Botox to reduce the temporal muscles?

Answers (10)

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