Botulinum toxin (Botox) offers a wide range of cosmetic advantages.
You likely know it smooths fine lines and wrinkles and can treat certain medical issues.
But did you realize Botox can also help give the appearance of a narrower face — without extra workouts or makeup?
This piece will cover everything you need to know about using Botox to achieve a slimmer-looking face, including cost, the procedure itself, and how to choose a qualified practitioner.
What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a widely used injectable neurotoxin that utilizes botulinum toxin type A to temporarily relax muscles.
It’s employed for medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis and chronic migraine.
Botox’s cosmetic use began with treatments targeting facial expression muscles, notes Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
That includes the “11” lines between the brows, crow’s feet at the eyes, and horizontal forehead lines.
Can Botox slim and contour the face?
Beyond softening wrinkles, Botox can be employed to slim and sculpt the face.
Practitioners do this by focusing on the masseter muscles at the back of the jaw, which can make the face appear square.
This approach is known as masseter reduction.
“The masseters are a group of muscles spanning the mid to lower face and are responsible for chewing,” explains Dr. Gary Linkov, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City.
If you habitually grind your teeth at night — bruxism — these muscles can enlarge.
“Injecting Botox into these muscles reduces their activity, which can significantly alter facial contours.”
At present, using Botox in the lower face is off-label, meaning it isn’t specifically FDA-approved for this indication. Nevertheless, research shows the method to be safe and effective.
What does the procedure involve?
Per Dr. Will Kirby, chief medical officer at LaserAway, slimming the face with Botox Cosmetic is quite straightforward.
“The clinician will visually assess the treatment area, palpate to identify the muscles, isolate them manually, and then administer two to three injections on each side of the lower face,” he says.
The session generally takes only a few minutes and causes minimal pain. “Most patients barely notice much discomfort,” he adds.
For those who are sensitive, a topical anesthetic can be applied.
Recovery is brief since it’s an in-and-out treatment. Still, patients are advised to refrain from the following activities right after injections:
- touching or rubbing the treated area
- lying flat
- vigorous exercise
- bending over
- taking painkillers or consuming alcohol
Botox usually begins to work within 2 to 5 days, with full slimming effects apparent after a few weeks. The results wear off after about 3 to 4 months, so repeat treatments a few times a year are needed to maintain a slimmer look.
Are there possible side effects?
While slimming the face with Botox is generally low-risk, certain side effects can occur.
Besides bruising or soreness, possible side effects include:
- headache
- redness
- muscle weakness
- muscle stiffness
- dry mouth
- temporary smile asymmetry
- speech or swallowing difficulties
- temporary chewing weakness
Potential complications
If you notice any of the following, contact your doctor or seek immediate care:
- facial swelling
- fever
- intense pain
- signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or breathing difficulty
“In theory, any needle puncture could introduce bacteria and cause an infection,” Kirby adds, “but that’s extremely uncommon.”
How much does it cost?
Botox isn’t typically covered by insurance for cosmetic use, so you’ll pay out of pocket.
On average, treating both sides of the face runs about $400 to $600. However, prices vary by location and provider.
For example, Zeichner notes costs in New York City can range from $600 to $1,000 per session when performed by a facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Pricing also depends on how much product is used. Kirby explains practitioners charge either by “area” or by the number of units administered.
The typical cost per unit of Botox is about $10 to $15, depending on the clinic’s pricing structure.
To illustrate, Linkov mentions it usually requires around 20 units on each side to achieve the intended effect.
How to choose a qualified provider
Choosing a qualified clinician is crucial — it can determine whether you’re happy with your results.
That’s why picking a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon is recommended, as they have detailed knowledge of facial anatomy.
Look at social media and practitioners’ websites to preview results similar to what you want. You may also find practitioner pages discussing non-surgical options useful when researching treatments like hifu for face.
You can also use this link to locate a provider nearby.
Your consultation visit
After you’ve identified a suitable doctor, schedule a consultation.
Questions to consider asking during your appointment include:
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Can I see before-and-after photos?
- What results should I expect and how long will they last?
- Do I need to reach a certain weight before treatment?
- If I lose weight, will it affect my results?
- What will this cost?
- How often will I need follow-up treatments?
Key takeaways
A more slender, defined jawline could be achieved with a few Botox injections.
Masseter reduction has even been reported to create the illusion of a 5- to 10-pound
Botulinum toxin (Botox) offers a wide range of cosmetic advantages.
You likely know it smooths fine lines and wrinkles and can treat certain medical issues.
But did you realize Botox can also help give the appearance of a narrower face — without extra workouts or makeup?
This piece will cover everything you need to know about using Botox to achieve a slimmer-looking face, including cost, the procedure itself, and how to choose a qualified practitioner.
What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a widely used injectable neurotoxin that utilizes botulinum toxin type A to temporarily relax muscles.
It’s employed for medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis and chronic migraine.
Botox’s cosmetic use began with treatments targeting facial expression muscles, notes Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
That includes the “11” lines between the brows, crow’s feet at the eyes, and horizontal forehead lines.
Can Botox slim and contour the face?
Beyond softening wrinkles, Botox can be employed to slim and sculpt the face.
Practitioners do this by focusing on the masseter muscles at the back of the jaw, which can make the face appear square.
This approach is known as masseter reduction.
“The masseters are a group of muscles spanning the mid to lower face and are responsible for chewing,” explains Dr. Gary Linkov, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City.
If you habitually grind your teeth at night — bruxism — these muscles can enlarge.
“Injecting Botox into these muscles reduces their activity, which can significantly alter facial contours.”
At present, using Botox in the lower face is off-label, meaning it isn’t specifically FDA-approved for this indication. Nevertheless, research shows the method to be safe and effective.
What does the procedure involve?
Per Dr. Will Kirby, chief medical officer at LaserAway, slimming the face with Botox Cosmetic is quite straightforward.
“The clinician will visually assess the treatment area, palpate to identify the muscles, isolate them manually, and then administer two to three injections on each side of the lower face,” he says.
The session generally takes only a few minutes and causes minimal pain. “Most patients barely notice much discomfort,” he adds.
For those who are sensitive, a topical anesthetic can be applied.
Recovery is brief since it’s an in-and-out treatment. Still, patients are advised to refrain from the following activities right after injections:
- touching or rubbing the treated area
- lying flat
- vigorous exercise
- bending over
- taking painkillers or consuming alcohol
Botox usually begins to work within 2 to 5 days, with full slimming effects apparent after a few weeks. The results wear off after about 3 to 4 months, so repeat treatments a few times a year are needed to maintain a slimmer look.
Are there possible side effects?
While slimming the face with Botox is generally low-risk, certain side effects can occur.
Besides bruising or soreness, possible side effects include:
- headache
- redness
- muscle weakness
- muscle stiffness
- dry mouth
- temporary smile asymmetry
- speech or swallowing difficulties
- temporary chewing weakness
Potential complications
If you notice any of the following, contact your doctor or seek immediate care:
- facial swelling
- fever
- intense pain
- signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or breathing difficulty
“In theory, any needle puncture could introduce bacteria and cause an infection,” Kirby adds, “but that’s extremely uncommon.”
How much does it cost?
Botox isn’t typically covered by insurance for cosmetic use, so you’ll pay out of pocket.
On average, treating both sides of the face runs about $400 to $600. However, prices vary by location and provider.
For example, Zeichner notes costs in New York City can range from $600 to $1,000 per session when performed by a facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Pricing also depends on how much product is used. Kirby explains practitioners charge either by “area” or by the number of units administered.
The typical cost per unit of Botox is about $10 to $15, depending on the clinic’s pricing structure.
To illustrate, Linkov mentions it usually requires around 20 units on each side to achieve the intended effect.
How to choose a qualified provider
Choosing a qualified clinician is crucial — it can determine whether you’re happy with your results.
That’s why picking a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon is recommended, as they have detailed knowledge of facial anatomy.
Look at social media and practitioners’ websites to preview results similar to what you want.
You can also use this link to locate a provider nearby.
Your consultation visit
After you’ve identified a suitable doctor, schedule a consultation.
Questions to consider asking during your appointment include:
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Can I see before-and-after photos?
- What results should I expect and how long will they last?
- Do I need to reach a certain weight before treatment?
- If I lose weight, will it affect my results?
- What will this cost?
- How often will I need follow-up treatments?
Key takeaways
A more slender, defined jawline could be achieved with a few Botox injections.
Masseter reduction has even been reported to create the illusion of a 5- to 10-pound weight loss.
Selecting a board-certified practitioner is essential — your face is in their care, so choose carefully.
Finally, remain alert for any serious side effects and contact your doctor immediately if they occur.
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