Botox is best known for forehead lines and crow's feet, but one of the treatments our patients love most is lower on the face. Masseter Botox relaxes the strong chewing muscle at the angle of the jaw. For people who clench or grind, it can ease that tension. For people with a square or bulky jaw, it can soften and slim the lower face over time.
Here is what it is, who it helps, and what to expect at Liv Aesthetics Chicago.
What is the masseter?
The masseter is the thick muscle you can feel at the back of your jaw when you bite down. It is one of the strongest muscles in the body for its size. If you clench through stress, grind your teeth at night or chew gum a lot, it can become overworked and enlarged, which makes the jaw look wider and squarer.
Who masseter Botox can help
Clenchers and grinders. Relaxing the masseter can reduce the force of clenching and grinding. Many patients notice less jaw tightness, less facial fatigue and fewer tension headaches. If you grind at night, keep wearing the night guard your dentist recommends. Botox works alongside it, not instead of it.
Anyone wanting a softer jawline. When an enlarged masseter relaxes, it gradually gets smaller. Over a few months, the lower face can look slimmer and more tapered, often described as a softer "V" shape.
People with tension in the jaw and temples. Some patients feel tension radiating into the temples. Your injector can assess whether treating nearby muscles might also help.
Masseter treatment is a common and well-established use of neurotoxins, but it is considered off-label in the US, meaning it is not one of the areas listed on the FDA label. That is why experience matters: dosing and placement have to be exactly right.
Why placement is everything
The masseter sits close to the muscles that shape your smile. Inject too far forward or too shallow and you risk affecting your smile. Inject too little and you won't see a difference. An experienced injector maps your muscle by having you clench, feels its borders, and places each unit deep in the right zone.
Sangini Patel, M.S., PA-C, has practiced dermatology since 2004, 22 years of injecting experience, and performed more than 100,000 aesthetic procedures. Patients come back to her for jaw Botox year after year. One long-time patient who has "face + masseter Botox" with Sangini wrote that she was "wholly patient and thorough when addressing any of my concerns, so I'd certainly suggest her for any first-timers like I was."
What to expect
Consultation. We ask about clenching, grinding, headaches and your goals, then feel the muscle while you bite down.
Treatment. A few injections on each side, usually taking about 10 to 15 minutes.
Results timeline:
- First 1 to 2 weeks: clenching eases and chewing tough foods may feel a little more tiring at first
- 4 to 6 weeks: jaw tension is noticeably calmer
- 2 to 3 months: visible slimming of the jawline begins to show as the muscle relaxes
How long it lasts. Typically three to six months. With regular treatment, many patients find they can go longer between appointments as the muscle stays smaller.
Side effects
Masseter Botox is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include tenderness or bruising at injection sites, temporary chewing fatigue and, rarely, a change in smile if the product affects nearby muscles. Choosing an experienced injector reduces that risk considerably.
Pairing it with other treatments
Jaw slimming often pairs well with other treatments for overall facial balance:
- Chin filler to add projection and lengthen the profile
- Jawline filler for definition once bulk has softened
- Forehead and frown Botox in the same visit
We will tell you honestly whether you need any of these. Often, you don't. Read about choosing between Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau, or see what our Botox patients say.
Frequently asked questions
Does masseter Botox help TMJ?
Many people with jaw clenching and grinding report less tension and fewer headaches after masseter Botox. TMJ disorders have many causes, so it is worth discussing your symptoms with your dentist or doctor as well. Using Botox for this purpose is off-label.
How many units does masseter Botox take?
It depends on the size and strength of your muscle and the product used. Your injector will estimate the dose at your consultation.
Will masseter Botox change my smile?
Not when placed correctly. The muscle that shapes your smile sits nearby, so precise placement by an experienced injector is important.
When will I see a slimmer jaw?
Slimming usually becomes visible after about two to three months, as the relaxed muscle gradually reduces in size.
Where can I get masseter Botox in Chicago?
At Liv Aesthetics Chicago, 954 W Washington Blvd, Suite 715, in the West Loop. Book online or call or text (312) 833-9004.
Wondering if masseter Botox is right for you? Book a consultation with Sangini.
Book a consultationThis article is general information, not medical advice. Every face and skin type is different, so the right treatment for you is decided at an in-person consultation. Individual results vary.