The masseter muscle is a facial muscle that connects our lower jaw to our cheeks. It is one of the few muscles responsible for chewing. When this muscle grows for a variety of reasons, it can dramatically change the shape of your lower face, often in patients who grind or clench their teeth. Botox or Botulinum Toxin is used to temporarily weaken the muscle into which it is injected. Masseter Botox can also change your face shape and manage pain caused by clenching.
WHAT IS MASSETER BOTOX?
Botox injections of Botulinum Toxin into the masseter muscle relaxes this facial muscle, making the jawline smaller (jawline narrows) and reducing the square appearance of the jaw line.
Botox is often thought to be associated only with anti-wrinkle treatments. But it can help with conditions ranging from hyperhidrosis to an enlarged masseter muscle.
The result of botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscle is that a square face changes into a more V-shaped appearance. Botox injections into the masseter muscle are a safe, non-invasive method for chin reduction and facial thinning that can be performed in just a few minutes.
WHAT IS THE MASSETER MUSCLE?
The masseter muscle is located on either side of your jaw and is one of the main muscles involved in chewing. When someone clenches or grinds their teeth too much, the masseter muscles can increase in size and cause problems with the shape of your face. The most common causes of increased size of the masseter muscles are: Genetic Clenching (bruxism), especially at night excessive chewing using only one side of the mouth
WHAT DOES BOTOX DO IN THE MASSETER MUSCLE?
If muscle tension is contributing to jaw pain, Botox may be a potential treatment. When Botox is injected into the chewing (masseter and temporalis) muscles, it relaxes these muscles and helps relieve masseter pain. Botox injections are a reversible, non-surgical procedure that can be beneficial in the treatment of masseter disorder. Depending on the cause of your masseter pain, this treatment may provide temporary but long-term relief.
DOES MASSETER BOTOX SLIM THE FACE?
Masseter muscle can be significantly reduced using non-surgical treatment such as botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox. The procedure is non-invasive because it involves a series of injections placed directly into the masseter muscle. The treatment is carried out in several sessions with certain doses of botulinum toxin until the masseter muscle gradually decreases and reaches the desired appearance. The number of sessions will depend on the person’s response to the treatment. Most people may only need 1-2 sessions to achieve the desired results, while others may need 3-4 sessions.
Since Botox only affects the jaw muscle, jaw line thinning with Botox is not recommended for patients with a square jawline defined by square jaw bones.
BEFORE AND AFTER JAW BOTOX
It takes an average of 4 to 6 weeks for the results of Masseter Botox for Jawline Botox to appear. Please note that before and after masseter Botox treatment results differ, as each individual’s anatomy is different. The shape and size of the face and jawline are affected by bone size, shape, soft tissue and jaw structure. It may take up to four weeks for the final result of a facial thinning or chin reduction procedure to appear.
HOW LONG IS MASSETER BOTOX?
Masseter Botox can last for 4-6 months and then gradually returns to its original state. But with continued treatment of botox injection will cause them to gradually lose the habit of squeezing to relax the muscles.
HOW CAN I ENSURE MASSETER BOTOX TO LAST LONGER?
Botox is a great treatment for the masseter muscle. However, the effects are limited as it is naturally broken down by the body. Here are some tips to help Botox last longer.
You should always find a highly experienced medical aesthetic practitioner in a medical setting. Botox injections require accurate, appropriate dosage and precise injection sites for maximum effectiveness.
Avoid strenuous exercise and extreme heat for the first 24 hours. Saunas, Hot Yoga, Strenuous exercise (light exercise is fine), or intense facial massages can potentially cause Botox to migrate to areas of your face where it shouldn’t go.
Stay Out of the Sun. Sun damage causes premature wrinkles. Botox is ineffective against these skin-damaged wrinkles as it does not involve the underlying muscles. Always apply SPF to your face, neck and hands every day. Protect your results longer by using a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid the outdoors during peak UV hours.
Less Stress – Stress affects your body in many ways, accelerating the aging process and exacerbating common signs of aging.
Zinc Supplements – Some studies have shown that the effects of Botox are linked to Zinc levels in the body. Many people tend to have a mild zinc deficiency. Taking zinc supplements regularly after your Botox treatment can help prolong the anti-aging effects.
Maintenance Treatments – The best way to prolong the life of your Botox results is to undergo a maintenance treatment. Schedule your appointments before your results get old. Regular Botox treatments are particularly helpful because they train the targeted muscles to respond to the neurotoxin longer. Don’t go overboard. Too much treatment too quickly can cause your muscles to resist or react in other negative ways to Botox.
PROCEDURE
Before treatment, the area will be cleaned and marked for injection. Typically, 15-50 units of botox are injected into the masseter muscle on both sides of the face. This treatment should not have a major effect on biting or chewing. Patients who want to have botox to shape the jawline should know that the injection will only treat overactive masseter muscles and will not improve a square jawline caused by bone structure.
The purpose of jawline slimming is to reduce a prominent, disproportionate or asymmetrical jaw line by weakening the masseter muscles with botox injections.
HOW LONG DOES MASSETER BOTOX LAST?
Masseter Botox treatment is a very fast procedure. It takes only 10 to 15 minutes to complete the entire set of injections.