Your facial appearance is influenced by the location and size of facial muscles. The masseter muscle plays a large role in determining how square or how round your face is. BOTOX® injections into the masseter muscle can help to reshape the face, creating a favorable outcome.
Western society has defined the ideal female face as being oval-shaped with a smooth contour. A square jawline is more commonly perceived as masculine. Female patients with a square jawline usually have this feature as a result of masseter muscle hypertrophy.
Masseteric muscle hypertrophy can present itself on one side of the patient’s face or on both sides. It affects men and women equally, and it can be seen most commonly in people who are between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. There are a lot of reasons why people develop this condition.
Reasons include:
- Chewing in an asymmetrical way as a result of dental problems
- Abnormalities with the temporomandibular joint
- A diet that includes fibrous vegetables, meat, and dry squid can increase the size of the masseter muscle
- Chewing gum, clenching your jaw, or grinding your teeth
Conversely, using BOTOX® is an effective and affordable way to reshape the lower face and jawline without using surgery. This procedure was first pioneered in the late 90’s, and with time it has been refined to the point where now it is a gentle yet effective way to produce a more rounded lower face.
Prior to performing this procedure, our plastic surgeon will evaluate your face to make sure that your jaw squareness is in fact the result of masseteric muscle hypertrophy. Once this is done, the BOTOX® injections will begin. Within a couple of weeks of treatment, most patients begin to notice a change in the appearance of their face. For some patients, the results of this procedure can last for up to a year, with others needing follow-up injections before the year is out.
Your masseter muscle is one of the four muscles you use to chew. Hypertrophy of this muscle gives you a broad jaw. BOTOX® injections can reduce the size of a large masseter muscle, making your face look slimmer and more oval. Injection techniques vary, depending on your face shape and your desired results.
This procedure is an excellent and safe nonsurgical option for anyone looking to reduce the size of their jaw muscles and have a more oval face. To schedule your consultation, contact eSSe Plastic Surgery today. We are happy to help clients in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area reach their cosmetic goals.
