Injections of botulinum toxin in the large jawline muscles are effective in slimming down the appearance of the lower-third of the face and in creating a more heart-shaped – or V-shaped – look.

You may choose to have your square, round or pear-shaped face more slimline for cosmetic reasons – a tapered jawline is widely regarded as more feminine and attractive – but, for some, reducing the size of these muscles is sought in the treatment of jaw pain, over-active muscle action or in helping with TMJ dysfunction.

A “bottom-heavy” face can be attributed to over-activity in the chewing – or masseter – muscle. As with any muscle, the more we use it, the bigger it gets.

But excessive use, for example, if you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth (also called bruxism) can make these muscles quite bulky; something often referred to as “masseter hypertrophy”.

“Slimming the jawline can really help highlight the contour of the cheekbones without adding any volume here”

DR JOSHUA

You may be completely unaware of any possible clenching or grinding, as we tend to do it in our sleep. Luckily, a quick test during consultation can determine whether you are suitable for treatment.

The treatment involves injecting a relatively high dose of toxin into the muscle; much in the same way we would to relax a frown. The difference, in this case, is we’re not targeting the movement, which we still need; we’re targeting the strength of the muscle. By bringing the muscle tension down, it slowly starts to lose its volume. The result is a face with a slimmer, more oval appearance.

Dr Joshua is an injection-focused facial aesthetics specialist who performs jawline slimming procedures in our clinic many times each week.

How long does it take for jaw slimming Botox to work?
The full muscle-shrinking effect should be visible around six weeks later, although you may start to notice it before this time. Some people may need more than one course.