Key Takeaways
- Masseter Botox relaxes overactive jaw muscles to ease teeth grinding, TMJ pain, and facial tension.
- It creates a slimmer, V-shaped jawline by reducing muscle bulk—ideal for aesthetic facial contouring.
- Results appear in 1–2 weeks, with full effects in 4–6 weeks, and typically last 3–6 months.
- The procedure takes 10–15 minutes with no downtime; 20–50 units per side are typically used.
- Temporary side effects may include mild swelling, jaw weakness, or facial asymmetry.
- It’s not permanent; regular treatments are needed for sustained results.
- Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with neuromuscular disorders.
Introduction
The masseter muscle is a crucial component of the human jaw anatomy. As one of the strongest body muscles relative to its size, it facilitates efficient chewing, speaking, and even yawning.
Located at the sides of the jawline, it connects the lower jaw to the cheekbone, supporting all automatic and voluntary movements that keep the mouth functioning properly.
However, when the masseter muscles become overactive or chronically tense, it often causes discomfort, headaches, and jaw pain. This overactivity often results from habits like teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or stress-induced tension. An enlarged masseter due to excessive use may also aesthetically alter the appearance of one’s jawline.
What Is Masseter Botox?
Masseter Botox is a non-surgical face slimming treatment that entails injecting minimal amounts of botulinum toxin into one’s masseter muscles. The masseter muscles are located on either side of one’s jaw and facilitate chewing, speech and yawning.
Aesthetically, this minimally invasive treatment uses Xeomin® to help reduce the bulkiness of enlarged masseter muscles. Thereby, producing a slimmer, more contoured, and V-shaped jawline—without surgical intervention.
Medically, this 10 to 15-minute intervention may be recommended to relieve symptoms associated with overactive masseter muscles. For instance, jaw tension, teeth grinding, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
What Does Botox In The Masseter Do?
The masseter muscle contracts to allow the jaw to close and generate the force needed for biting and grinding food.
In practice, Botox injections into this muscle relax it by blocking nerve signals that normally trigger muscle contraction. More specifically, it inhibits the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
This interruption prevents the muscle from contracting as forcefully (overactivity). Thereby, leading to a reduction in muscle activity, which can alleviate issues like jaw tension and teeth grinding.
Overall, the minimally invasive procedure is quick, with no downtime, and results typically last several months.
Key Benefits of Masseter Botox
Masseter Botox offers several therapeutic and aesthetic advantages, such as:
- Facial contouring and jawline slimming: Botox temporarily relaxes and reduces the size of masseter muscles, without surgical intervention. This creates a slimmer, more contoured, and often heart-shaped or V-shaped facial profile.
- Relief from teeth grinding (Bruxism): Botox lessens the force and frequency of jaw clenching and teeth grinding by calming the hyperactive masseter muscles. This reduces the stress and stiffness in the jaw and helps shield teeth from wear.
- Relief from headaches and TMJ symptoms: Masseter Botox reduces tension and overactivity in the muscles that cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues and headaches associated with them.
What to Expect During the Procedure?
Masseter Botox is a minimally invasive procedure that offers minimal downtime, making it ideal for managing overactive masseter muscles and contouring the jawline.
The Injection Process
Masseter Botox is an expedient and non-surgical procedure that’s characterised by minimal discomfort. During the procedure, botulinum toxin is injected in tiny doses into the masseter muscles on either side of the jaw.
In practice, the exact number of units utilised may vary based on the size of the masseter muscles and personal needs. However, it typically falls between 20 and 40 units per side.
Recovery and Aftercare
The intervention typically takes ten to fifteen minutes, with no downtime. In fact, it’s simple to incorporate into a hectic schedule.
After treatment, it’s advisable to avoid vigorous jaw activity for at least 24-28 hours. For example, excessive chewing or massaging the treated area. This may help avert the toxin from spreading to unintended muscles.
Patients are also encouraged to avoid alcohol, intense exercise, and lying down for a few hours post-injection to optimise results and reduce side effects.
Timeline of Results
As the muscles relax and shrink, the effects of Masseter Botox usually start to manifest one to two weeks following the injection. Typically, full benefits appear four to six weeks after treatment.
In most cases, the results of facial slimming and muscular relaxation last three to six months. To sustain outcomes, repeat treatments are typically required on a regular basis, as indicated by the patient’s response.
Masseter Botox: Side Effects & Risks
Most Masseter Botox side effects are mild, temporary, and resolve within days to months. For example:
- Mild swelling, bruising, or soreness at the injection sites.
- Redness at the injection site.
- Headaches or flu-like symptoms.
Rare complications include:
- Facial asymmetry, often caused by uneven injection placement.
- Temporary weakness in chewing or reduced bite force due to muscle relaxation.
- Paradoxical bulging
- Dry mouth may.
- Allergic reactions
How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost In Malaysia?
The average cost of a Masseter Botox treatment in Malaysia is between RM 1,200 and RM 2,000. The procedure normally requires 40 to 60 units of Botox. The price per Botox unit typically ranges from RM 30 to RM 50.
Overall, the procedure cost might vary depending on the practitioner’s skill level, the brand of Botox utilised, and the clinic’s location. Given the temporary nature of Botox effects, many patients opt for repeat treatments to maintain improvements.
FAQs About Masseter Botox
How long does Masseter Botox last?
The majority of patients reap Masser Botox benefits for 4–6 months, with the effects usually lasting 3–6 months. Individual metabolism, muscle activity, and dosage can all affect outcomes. To sustain the intended therapeutic or jaw-slimming benefits over time, more treatments are usually required.
How many units of Masseter Botox are typically needed?
The average dose for Masseter Botox ranges from 25 to 50 units per side of the face. However, this figure depends on the size and strength of the masseter muscles and one’s treatment goals.
Is Masseter Botox permanent?
No, masseter Botox isn’t permanent. It temporarily relaxes the masseter muscles by blocking nerve signals. As such, effects gradually wear off as the nerve-muscle communication restores, usually within 3 to 6 months.
How soon can I see jaw slimming results?
Typically, masseter Botox results start to show one to two weeks following treatment. The full slimming effect normally appears 4–6 weeks after injection, as the muscles relax and shrink.
Will Masseter Botox slim my face?
Yes, Masseter Botox may slim the face by reducing the bulkiness of the masseter muscles on either side of the jaw. Thereby, resulting in a softer, more contoured, and often more oval or V-shaped facial appearance.
Who is not a candidate for Masseter Botox?
Masseter Botox isn’t recommended for people with allergies to botulinum toxin products, neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Conclusion
As a minimally invasive procedure, Masseter Botox targets the masseter muscles, which are essential for clenching the jaw and chewing. Injecting botulinum toxin into these muscles causes them to relax, which reduces muscular mass and relieves symptoms like bruxism and jaw pain.
Besides relieved muscular tension, patients experience a softer, more contoured facial appearance, without invasive surgery. However, maintenance treatments are advised for continued outcomes, since the effects usually start to manifest in 1–2 weeks and last for 3–6 months.
Since this non-surgical face slimming treatment typically takes ten to fifteen minutes, it’s simple to incorporate into a hectic schedule.
If you’re interested in achieving both functional jaw tension relief and aesthetic enhancement, Clique Clinic offers expert consultations and professional administration of Masseter Botox.