Smile is not the same after masseter muscle botox? (Photos)

Question

Last Tuesday I had some follow up Botox in my jaw after having some the week before that Everything was fine before the follow up. I didn't scrimp on my Doc & she was highly recommended. I can't lift my cheeks any more & look like a granny(it is funny) Doc said allow up to 2 weeks & should resolve itself. I have read it take 3-4 months, and some have even said weeks,but I am just looking for reassurence I will get it back-and any personal stories of where anyone has seen it faster than that?

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Hi,It takes 2-3 months to see improvement.

My best,

Sheila Nazarian, MD, MMM

Beverly Hills,
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It can take 3-4 months for Botox to dissolve and it sounds like there was some diffuse spreading to nearby muscles which are affecting your smile. You can try Venus Legacy treatments to improve. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

I am sorry this has happened to you. This is from the injection affecting the risorius muscle. There is nothing you can do to improve this. It takes 3-4 months for Botox to wear off. This is a specialized area and needs an expert injector.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your Botox experience. It appears the Botox diffused into an adjacent muscle responsible for your ability to smile. The muscle was either the risorius or the zygomaticus major. Either way, the Botox will wear off over the next 3-4 months and your smile will return to normal. I'm not sure what exactly your injector did wrong, but the injections were either placed too anterior (forward) or superior (high) along the masseter and/or overly dilute Botox was used resulting in easier spread to adjacent muscles. Hang in there, your smile will return to normal.

Jordan P. Farkas, MD · Answer

Hi- .  Yes it will come back. It may take 3-6 months but it will come back to normal. Unfortunately this is a very common side effect following botox injection to muscles around the mouth or involved with moving the mouth/jaw like the masseter muscle. Just remain patient knowing it is only temporary which is the positive and negative of botulinum toxin. Good Luck!

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your
question LFA.SMCN. I am sorry to hear about your situation. Botox is a
purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. In the lower face Botox can be placed in the master muscle to address TMJ or to contour the face. With any Botox injection there is a risk that the Botox can spread to nearby muscles. In this case the nearby zygomaticus muscles serve to elevate the corners of the mouth when one smiles. If Botox spreads to these muscles it can lead to a temporary asymmetric smile. Usually this resolves within a couple of weeks but it could last longer. The good news is that it is not permanent. Please consult with
a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

This is caused by the risorius muscle being affected by the injection. This will take about 2-3 months to improve. These is nothing that can be done to improve this. I'm sorry this has happened.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

It can take several weeks or months to see the full effect of Botox on the masseter muscle.  Please consult an expert in this highly specialized area.  Best, Dr. Green

Val Lambros, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I have been doing this since the 1990's I  inject on the bone, and have never seen this happen. It's because the injection is deep in the muscle.  I suspect that  your dr didn't get the needle all the way into the muscle. In any event it will go away within a few months, Less if the leak wasn't so bad.

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, thank you for posting your question and I'm sorry you did not receive your desired results. Botox takes 7--10 days to take effect, with full results setting at ~day 14. Botox usually lasts ~3 months, with no medication that will counter-act it's effects. I would suggest seeing your provider and discuss the results you have obtained. Best of luck, Justin Harper, MD.

Smile is not the same after masseter muscle botox? (Photos)

Answers (12)