Botox for Jawline Reduction

Besides removing wrinkles and lines caused by age on the face, Botox can benefit patients that have a wide jawline by injecting it in the masseter muscle of the jaw. This muscle closes the jaw during the chewing process and can make the face look bigger as it develops over time. Injecting Botox into that muscle limits its continuous contracting as a person chews. Botox causes it to weaken which, in turn, allows the muscle to essentially shrink. The treatment is normally performed multiple times to achieve the desired results and so the masseter muscle mass can be gradually reduced. As a result, patients can have a slimmer jawline through a simple and quick jaw slimming procedure.

Am I a Good Candidate for Botox for Jawline Reduction?

GOOD CANDIDATES for the procedure include:

• Almost any person who desires a slimmer jawline (especially from the front view)
• A person who wants a V-line shaped jaw from the ears to the chin and back up the other side
• Someone who exhibits a wide jawline due to a large Masseter muscle

There are some patients who are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES:

• Patients experiencing a widening of the jaw that is not due to an enlargement of the masseter muscle
• Someone who wants a reduced jawline achieved by removing any part of the bone in the jawline
• A person looking for permanent results as Botox needs to be performed on a regular basis to maintain the results

How is Botox for Jawline Reduction Performed?

Once a patient decides to have the treatment, jawline reduction via Botox only takes about 15 minutes to perform. The doctor begins the process by examining the facial features of the patient and this includes the shape and location of the masseter muscle. The final decision about whether or not Botox is the best jawline reduction option, as opposed to surgical techniques, largely depends on the anatomy of the patient. The doctor will inject two or three small doses of Botox (depending on the results desired by the person) into the patient per site. The technique typically requires a patient to receive (at least) one more treatment about a month later to achieve the desired jawline shrinkage.

Alternative Treatments

• Liposuction – One option to slim the jawline is liposuction over parts of the jawline as well as the lower face. This option is only viable for patients who have an excessive amount of fat, as opposed to muscle, in the area to be treated.
• Jaw Reduction Surgery – If the jawbone of the patient is naturally wide, surgery can be performed so the doctor can remove the outer layer of the bone to reduce the jawline.
• Jaw Shaving – The surgeon will first determine the amount of natural muscle located around the jawline. The doctor will also determine if any bones must be removed in order to create a jawline that is smaller. An incision is placed between the cheek and gum located next to the jaw. A surgical drill and/or a micro-saw are utilized to curve out the jawline so a rounder look is created. Self-dissolving stitches are then used to close the incision and dressing is normally used to apply pressure to the area and reduce any swelling.

What is the Cost of Botox for Jawline Reduction?

Some of the factors that go into the final price include the amount of Botox administered by the doctor, the area of the country where it is performed and any fees charged by the doctor or the facility. In general, the cost is around $250-$700 per session.

Recovery and Downtime

The amount of RECOVERY AND DOWNTIME associated with Botox for jawline reduction is very minimal. The recovery is rather quick due to the fact that it is only injections. Patients are advised to limit vigorous activities, such as going to the gym for the first 24 hours, in order to minimize bruising and swelling.  Other than that, there are no strict restrictions. Patients are able to chew, eat and drink immediately after the treatment.

Results

The final results can usually be seen within one month of the procedure. Although most patients are pleased with the results, many of them will decide to have a second series of injections to gain a look that is even slimmer in appearance. To maintain the results from the Botox injections, patients will need follow-up injections approximately every 9-12 months. The exact timeline of additional injections depends on the body and size of each individual person since the genetics of the muscle tends to try and build back to its original size.

Limitations and Risks

When it comes to LIMITATIONS, there are just a few for jawline reduction via Botox:

• The treatment is limited to treating patients with large masseter muscles. If the jawline is too wide because of excess fat or a large jawbone, the patient may need to diet and exercise to reduce the fat or undergo a surgical reduction to reduce the size of the jawline.
• Patients with conditions related to the nerves might be limited from having Botox due to the fact that Botox injections can affect the nerves and make the outcome unpredictable.  

The RISKS are minimal when it comes to jaw slimming via Botox:

• Temporary bruising
• Swelling
• An allergic reaction

A Good Alternative to Surgery

Although Botox is not a permanent solution for jawline reduction, the limited downtime and recovery makes it more desirable to people looking for a slimmer jawline. Plus, many patients prefer to not have surgery due to the cost of a surgical procedure as well as the necessary downtime after surgery. Patients need to do proper research and find a doctor experienced in performing Botox injections in order to get the maximum and safest results.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team - MA

Based on an exclusive interview with Charles Hsu, MD in Beverly Hills, CA