Do you struggle with TMJ (temporomandibular joint), teeth grinding (Bruxism), jaw clenching, or chronic tension in your jaw? Are you wanting to achieve facial slimming, but worried about enhancing jowls? Read this article to find out more!
The masseters are powerful chewing muscles (one of the muscles of mastication) located at the angle of the jaw. In some people, these muscles become enlarged (hypertrophied) due to habits like teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, stress, or even excessive gum chewing. Over time, this can create a wider, boxier lower face and contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and TMJ symptoms. Botox (or your preferred neurotoxin) works by relaxing the masseter muscles, reducing their overactivity. When these muscles are no longer constantly contracting, two things happen: the muscle shrinks in size, leading to a slimmer lower face, and tension is relieved, leading to a decrease in symptoms. Truly the best of both worlds; you are getting a cosmetic and therapeutic treatment all in one!
Now, it’s time to address the elephant in the room…Does masseter Botox contribute to jowling? The short answer is no; not when the proper dose is given and the proper candidate is treated. The masseter muscle acts like the firm mattress beneath your sheets. If the mattress is supportive, the sheets stay smooth. If it’s completely flattened, the sheets start to bunch and fold. Over-weakening the masseter can remove that underlying support, allowing the skin to sag rather than sit smoothly. When overdone, it’s like removing the framework beneath the skin, allowing gravity to take over and potentially accentuate jowling. Does everyone have to worry about this?… Not every patient needs to worry about this, and that’s an important part of the conversation. The risk of jowling with masseter Botox is highly individualized and depends on factors like age, skin quality, facial anatomy, baseline laxity, and how strong or hypertrophied the muscle is to begin with. Patients with very bulky masseters and good skin elasticity often benefit from relaxation of the muscle without any negative impact on support. This concern is more relevant when Botox is overused or dosed aggressively in patients who already have some degree of lower-face laxity. That’s why proper assessment and conservative, customized dosing matter.
I’ve personally treated my masseters, and it completely changed the shape of my lower face in the best way. Over time, I noticed my jawline looked softer and my lower face appeared slimmer and more balanced—without looking overdone or unnatural. What surprised me most was how gradual and subtle the change was; it didn’t happen overnight, but as the muscle relaxed, my face settled into a more refined shape. It also made me more aware of how much tension I was holding in my jaw without realizing it. Experiencing this treatment firsthand is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about thoughtful, conservative dosing—when done correctly, masseter Botox can enhance facial harmony while still preserving structure and support.
As always, if you have questions on this treatment, or any of Arya’s services, please feel free to contact me (my instagram is @audreylampe) and I would be happy to chat with you! Thank you so much for being here and all of your continued support; it means the world!
xoxo
Audrey 🖤
Audrey Lampe, BSN, RN. Arya Medical Spa. 1185 Fortune Blvd Shiloh, IL. Call 618-624-7300 or message me to book. You can find me on instagram @audreylampe. 🖤
Aesthetic Nurse Audrey 