Can Botox make the face look slimmer?

Botox has a reputation as a wrinkle-smoothing injectable, which is what the treatment is most commonly used for and does very well. But Botox actually has many benefits, some of which are much lesser-known, and face slimming is a prime example of this. Injected into the large masseter muscles to create a slim and more feminine jawline, Botox can have dramatic shape-shifting results and can even help elevate the cheekbones as the jaw muscles soften and make way for the bones of the face to appear more pronounced and sculpted.

If your prominent jaw is caused by larger masseter muscles, then Botox is an excellent treatment option to consider. This is everything that you need to know about the procedure.

What causes a wide, square jaw?

For some people, strong jaw muscles are part of their natural anatomy. However, for others a square jawline results from a condition called bruxism, which causes excessive teeth grinding or clenching.

With overuse from chronic teeth grinding, the masseter muscles become overdeveloped and more pronounced, causing the shape of the lower face to alter and acquire a strong ‘square-jawed’ look as well as causing other painful and potentially severe symptoms.

Teeth grinding is an involuntary movement. It can occur either whilst awake or asleep, and many people suffer from it for years without even realising it.

How does the treatment work?

Jawline slimming is a simple yet effective procedure that involves the injection of botulinum toxin type A into the large masseter muscles to create a slimmer, tapered and feminine face shape.

There are six to eight injections in total, three to four on each side, directed straight into your masseter muscle. You can feel this muscle along the side of your jaw when your teeth are clenched; it controls chewing and the raising of your jawbone. But when it’s in a constant state of tension, you may spend many mornings waking up to headaches, jaw pain, and eventually, Swiss cheese molars, none of which are an enjoyable experience.

The Botox injections block signals from your nerves to the muscle, helping it to relax, reducing the grinding and the masseter hypertrophy (or overgrowth). The result is a slimming of the face and jaw, while voluntary movements, such as chewing and facial expressions, remain unaffected.

The procedure is highly effective, with minimal discomfort and absolutely no downtime. The face slimming effect is seen at any time between 2 to 8 weeks and will last for three to six months.

Is it right for me?

Injecting Botox into any muscle causes the muscle to stop working and shrink in size. Injecting Botox into the chewing muscle (masseter muscle) will cause it to become smaller, and the lower face will appear thinner. It isn’t used to make a round or chubby face smaller, only for those with prominent masseter muscles that define the shape of their face.

Ultimately, understanding the most appropriate treatment option for your concerns will be determined during your initial consultation after your practitioner has discussed your aesthetic goals and individual preferences. Consulting with a medical practitioner is undoubtedly a great place to start to determine whether Botox for jaw-grinding is right for you.

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