How Many Times Jaw Botox to Make It Permanent?

Botox will never effect a permanent change, but with serial treatments you will certainly notice atrophy of the muscle (thinning) and a reduction in the dose necessary for full reduction.  Patients who have had 3-4 Botox treatments per year for several years will typically have very little masseter activity even when Botox has completely worn off.  

Thank you for your question. Botox in the masseter region usually takes longer than in the standard areas to take effect. I tend to use anywhere from 15 units (conservative treatment) to 50 units (for someone with really strong masseters) on each side to get the desired result. It may start within the first week but I tell my patients to wait three weeks before doing a more thorough evaluation. The treatment typically lasts longer than the forehead/crows feet/frown regions. It is also a gradual onset of the return of masseter function. I have tried the masseter injections myself and space the treatments around 4 months apart, but use smaller doses to maintain the effect. I normally know the effects are wearing down when I start to clench my teeth more heavily at night when asleep. Once you stop using Botox, the masseter muscles will return to their original baseline when the effects of Botox wears off completely.  If you continue, however, you may find that the results last longer with each treatment.

   Botox after multiple treatments may produce atrophy that can provide for longer intervals between Botox sessions.

Botox is a temporary treatment, and there is no way to make the effects permanent. In order to have a consistent effect, it will be necessary to repeat each treatment when the Botox wears off. In general, the Botox will last around 3 months on average. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you.

Botox is not "permanent" and if your provider isn't educating you on the process of masseter reduction, it might be time to visit another.

Hello Caroline,

The good news is that Botox is very effective for reducing muscle movement, lines and for shaping.

The bad news is that Botox is NOT PERMANENT and must be used repetitively to maintain it's results.

Thanks for asking!  Dr Ellen

Hi Caroline.  Unfortunately Botox injections for jaw slimming is not permanent.  We advise our patients that they will need the injections several times a year and each time they will get 25 units of Botox or 75 units of Dysport.

Botox treatment is temporary and there is not a method to make it permanent. This is true whether it is used for the jaw or any other area of the face.   

People often ask why Allergan does not market a product that last 3, 5 or 10 years. I would say that unless they have the antidote to correct problems as is seen sometimes with Botox Cosmetc (e.g. asymmetry) or when patients don't like the way they look, it is a good thing that the effect dissipates, requiring reinjection.

Botox is not permanent and will be required to be sued every 4-6 monthst to maintain its effect.