Botox is known for its extraordinary skin-rejuvenating powers. However, this potent neurotoxin injectable can also help contour and slim your face, revealing cheekbones hidden below sagging skin. If you wish to make your face square, you can turn to Botox.
This article explains how Botox for face slimming works and what to expect from the procedure.
Can Botox Make Your Face Slimmer?
Botox is now a staple at every beauty clinic, mainly used for forehead lines, vertical lines between the eyebrows (glabellar or frown lines), and lines around the eyes (crow’s feet).
It can also help contour, reshape, and slim the face, which is done by injecting Botox into the masseter muscles responsible for chewing, talking, and eating. The injected neurotoxin temporarily relaxes these muscles, resulting in a slimmer jawline. It also reduces involuntary teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw-clenching.
Botox is not FDA-approved for face-slimming, so be sure to find a reputable, experienced injector who will know exactly how to treat your masseter muscles.
Botox for Face Slimming: Treatment Areas
Botox treatment areas center on different facial features, including the midface and lower face region. Masseter muscle reduction helps contour and reshape the face based on the patient’s unique anatomy and the desired outcome.
Face Slimming Botox: The Procedure
This quick, walk-in procedure typically takes about thirty minutes. The injector first examines your face and assesses the masseters’ strength. Next, they mark the injection sites based on your aesthetic goals and sanitize the marked skin with alcohol.
Botox is injected with tiny needles, and patients generally experience no pain. The provider may apply a numbing cream if your pain threshold is low.
There is no recovery time, so you can resume your daily activities right after the procedure.
Botox for Face Slimming: Results
You may see changes in your facial structure within a week, but like any other Botox treatment, the results are not permanent and last three to four months. The injection’s longevity depends on your genetics, age, metabolism, and other lifestyle factors.
To prolong the results, avoid activities that exert your masseter muscles (e.g., chewing gum).
Botox for Face Slimming: Before & After
The result varies depending on your aesthetic goals. Botox can help you achieve a V-shaped jawline, a well-contoured lower and upper face, less bulkiness in the midface area, and more prominent cheekbones.
Benefits of Botox for Face Slimming
Face-slimming Botox treatments offer many aesthetic and health benefits, such as these:
- Slimmer jawline
- Improved facial contours
- Relieved jaw tension
- Reduced teeth grinding (i.e., bruxism)
- Reduced jaw clenching
- Alleviated symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
- Non-invasive procedure
- Natural-looking results
- Little to no downtime
- More affordable than a face or neck lift
Side Effects of Botox for Face Slimming
Most Botox side effects are mild and temporary, such as the following:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Discomfort
- Numbness
- Pain or tenderness
- Irritation at the injection site
- Bumps
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms (e.g., mild fever)
- Asymmetry (e.g., crooked smile)
- Lopsided features
- Difficulty chewing
- Tight jaw
- Muscle weakness
- Dry mouth
- Swallowing difficulties
Infections, allergic reactions, and Botox resistance may occur, but this is rare. Too much Botox, inadequate technique, and lack of medical expertise can lead to unsatisfying results. Choose a reputable Botox provider and adhere to the aftercare guidelines to minimize potential complications and unwanted results.
Note: Learn what may happen if you exercise after Botox.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox Face Slimming?
You may be a suitable candidate for Botox face slimming if any of the following applies to you:
- You want a slimmer or more defined jawline.
- You wish to correct lower facial asymmetries.
- You have a naturally bulky, square-looking jawline or chubby cheeks.
- You suffer from jaw clenching or teeth grinding.
Chronic teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching can be painful in addition to making the jawline wide and bulky. Many people don’t even know they are clenching their jaw but feel the tension in the face or have frequent headaches.
Who Should Not Get Botox for Face Slimming?
Botox is an effective face-slimming solution if your face is square and boxy due to the increased activity of your masseter muscles. However, some individuals may require surgery, especially if they were born with prominent jawbones.
Consult your injector about alternatives if you belong to one of the following categories:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Active skin infections
- Bleeding disorders
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Excess fat in the lower face region
- Weak masseter muscles
- Facial asymmetry from previous treatments
- Anatomically strong jawline structure
How Much Does Botox for Face Slimming Cost?
Pricing varies depending on the area you live and the amount of Botox used. One treatment usually requires fifteen to twenty units per side to achieve the desired face-slimming results.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one Botox unit costs $13.5.
Most insurance plans do not cover Botox for aesthetic purposes. Contact your insurance provider to check if you are eligible for coverage for medical reasons (e.g., bruxism).
How Many Botox Units Are Needed for Face Slimming?
Most patients require fifteen to twenty Botox units per side. You may require up to thirty units per side if your masseter muscles are more prominent.
People who undergo Botox to reduce involuntary teeth grinding and symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) may require more units to treat the adjoining muscles.
You can have one treatment followed by check-ups or regular touch-up appointments every three to four months, depending on your goals, genetics, and the chosen treatment plan.
Conclusion
Botox masseter reduction is a simple way to slim down and contour your face. Injecting Botox into these muscles helps to reduce their activity and soften the lower face features. You will be able to chew, but the muscles will appear smaller, and it will be as if they are taking a break.
Contact our Vibrant Skin Bar Botox experts for more information about this popular treatment.
