Botox is known for its extraordinary skin-rejuvenating powers and the ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. This potent neurotoxin injectable can also help contour and slim your face, revealing cheekbones hidden beneath sagging skin.
This article explains how face-slimming Botox works and what to expect from the procedure.
Can Botox Make Your Face Slimmer?
Botox is now a standard offering 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).
Providers can also help contour, reshape, and slim the face 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.
Face-Slimming Botox Areas
Face-slimming Botox techniques involve strategically placing the neuromodulator to soften prominent jaw muscles, relax downward-pulling muscles, and create a more tapered facial shape. Providers usually don’t focus on a single area; rather, they target multiple muscles to create a more contoured, refined appearance.
The most common techniques include:
- Masseter Botox – Targets the masseter muscles at the back of the jaw to reduce width and bulk, creating a slimmer lower face and softer jawline.
- Chin Botox (mentalis muscle) - Relaxes the chin muscles and reduces their overactivity to smooth dimpling and prevent bunching that can make the lower face appear heavier.
- DAO Botox (depressor anguli oris) - Targets the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth downward, lifting sagging jowls, improving facial symmetry, and reducing a tense or heavy appearance.
- Platysma Botox (neck bands / Nefertiti lift) - Softens the platysma muscle to improve jawline definition and neck contour, eliminate neck wrinkles (“tech neck”), and lift the profile.
Note: To get rid of a double chin, we recommend Kybella and CoolSculpting.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Face Slimming Botox?
You may be a suitable candidate for face-slimming Botox 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.
What Are the Benefits of Jaw Slimming Botox?
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
What to Expect During Face Slimming Botox?
This quick, walk-in procedure typically takes about thirty minutes. The injector first examines your face and assesses the strength of your masseters. 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.
The Results of Face Slimming Botox
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.
How Long Does It Take for Face Slimming Botox to Work?
You may see slight changes in your facial structure within a week, but unlike wrinkle-reducing Botox, this treatment does not deliver immediate results as the muscle size gradually decreases over time.
Noticeable slimming effects are visible within 6 to 8 weeks, and the jawline becomes more tapered after 8 to 12 weeks.
How Many Botox Units Do I Need 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.
Is Face-Slimming Botox Permanent?
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).
What Are the Aftercare Instructions for Face-Slimming Botox?
To maximize the face-slimming effects, adhere to the following aftercare protocol:
- Avoid direct sun and heat exposure for several days, including saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds, and steam showers.
- Do not rub, squeeze, scratch, massage, or apply pressure on the treated area.
- Wash your face with cold to lukewarm water using gentle, circular motions.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses to reduce bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
- Refrain from strenuous physical activities, such as running, cycling, swimming, and cardio workouts.
- Postpone cosmetic treatments, such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, facials, and dermal fillers, for at least two weeks.
- Do not bend or lie down for 4 hours to reduce the risk of bruising or toxin migration to nearby muscles.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, sugary and salty foods and drinks to minimize swelling and potential inflammation.
- Do not apply makeup on treated areas for at least 12 hours.
Face Slimming Botox Side Effects
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 to minimize potential complications and unwanted results.
Who Should Avoid Face Slimming Botox?
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
Face Slimming Botox Price
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 $14.
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).
Conclusion
Botox offers is a simple solution to slim down and contour your face. Injecting Botox into the masseter muscles helps to reduce their activity and soften the features of the lower face. You will be able to chew, but the muscles will appear smaller, creating a more refined, V-shaped profile.
Contact our Vibrant Skin Bar Botox experts for more information about this popular treatment.
