Botox for facial slimming can create the appearance of a five- to 10-pound weight loss without surgery or dieting [21]. Most people associate neurotoxins with smoothing wrinkles, but these injectable treatments may also reshape your lower face in noticeable ways. Masseter Botox for facial slimming, Nefertiti lift Botox, and a Botox flip lip can refine your jawline, slim your face, and boost your overall facial contours.
What are Neurotoxins for Face Slimming and Reshaping?
Neurotoxins are formulations derived from botulinum toxin type A, injected into facial muscles to relax them and create specific esthetic effects [1]. The FDA has approved several brands for cosmetic use, including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and the newest option, Daxxify, approved in 2022 [22]. While these products share the same active ingredient, each offers different potencies and formulations to suit your specific goals.
Masseter Botox for Facial Slimming
Masseter Botox for facial slimming targets the thick, rectangular muscles along your jawline responsible for chewing. If you grind your teeth, clench your jaw when stressed, or chew gum frequently, these muscles can enlarge and create a square or wide facial appearance [3].
As the botulinum toxin relaxes these muscles, they gradually shrink from decreased use. Beyond aesthetics, this treatment may help with jaw tension, teeth grinding, and TMJ discomfort [3].
Nefertiti Lift Botox
The Nefertiti lift Botox treatment addresses the neck and jawline by targeting the platysma muscle, a thin sheet-like muscle extending from your chest through your neck into your lower face [23]. Named after the ancient Egyptian queen known for her elegant neckline, this treatment creates a non-surgical lifting effect.
As you age, the platysma muscle can become overactive and pull your lower face downward, contributing to sagging skin, jowls, and vertical neck bands [23]. Botox injections relax this downward-pulling muscle, allowing the upward-pulling muscles of your face to work more effectively [23]. This creates a subtle lifting and smoothing effect along your jawline and chin.
Your Beauty Vault practitioner will strategically place injections along your lower jawline and into the prominent vertical neck bands [24]. In addition to improved jawline definition, you may notice reduced appearance of vertical neck bands and a smoother, more refined neck contour [23].
Botox Lip Flip and Other Lower Face Applications
A Botox lip flip involves injecting neurotoxin into the muscles around your upper lip, particularly at the corners of your mouth and the edges of your lips [26]. Unlike dermal fillers that add volume, this procedure relaxes the muscles surrounding your upper lip, causing it to roll outward slightly and appear fuller [26]. The effects typically last between two and five months [26].
This treatment works well if you have a thin upper lip, lack upper lip definition, or display a gummy smile where significant gum tissue shows when you smile [27]. By relaxing the muscles that pull your upper lip too high, the procedure can reduce gum visibility and create a more balanced smile [28].
Other lower face applications include treating the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, which pulls down the corners of your mouth and can make you appear tired or angry [25]. Injections can allow the lifting muscles to elevate the mouth corners into a more balanced position [25]. The mentalis muscle in your chin can also be treated to soften dimpling or address upward rotation of chin tissue [25].
Who is a Good Candidate for Lower Face Neurotoxin Treatments?
You need an honest assessment of your facial structure, health status, and treatment goals to know whether you qualify for Botox for facial slimming. Your age, medical history, and specific facial concerns all factor into whether these procedures might work for you.
Ideal Candidates for Masseter Reduction
You might benefit from masseter Botox for facial slimming if you have an overly developed or hypertrophic masseter muscle that creates a wider or square-shaped jawline [9]. Both men and women seek this treatment to achieve a more defined and contoured appearance without surgery [9].
You need to be at least 18 years old and in good overall health [11]. The demographic most affected by masseter hypertrophy tends to be younger patients [40]. This approach may address your concerns if you want to improve facial asymmetry or achieve a more feminine or heart-shaped facial profile [3].
People Who Should Avoid These Procedures
Healthcare providers don’t recommend Botox injections for face slimming if you’re pregnant or nursing [6]. Non-smokers make better candidates, or you should refrain from smoking before treatment [41]. You face a higher risk of bruising if you take blood thinner medications, though treatment isn’t necessarily ruled out [5].
What Should You Expect During and After the Procedure?
Your first consultation lays the groundwork for successful treatment. A practitioner at Beauty Vault will get into your jaw and facial structure, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine appropriate injection sites and dosing [14]. Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin, NSAIDs, vitamin E, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba supplements in the week before your appointment to minimize bruising risk [2]. Skip alcohol for 24 hours beforehand [2], stay hydrated, and arrive with a clean face free of makeup [2].
During the Injection Process
The procedure lasts 15 to 30 minutes [14]
[15]. Your Beauty Vault practitioner will cleanse your skin with antiseptic and may apply topical numbing cream or ice, though many patients find the discomfort minimal [14]
[16]. They’ll mark precise injection points while you clench your jaw to identify muscle boundaries [2]. With a very thin needle, they’ll administer two to four injections per side for masseter treatments[2].
How Long Results Last
Initial effects begin within one to three days for some treatments [14], though masseter Botox for facial slimming follows a slower timeline. Therapeutic benefits like reduced jaw tension appear by week one to two [2]. Visible jawline contouring becomes apparent around weeks two to four [2]. Maximum slimming effects demonstrate themselves at six to 12 weeks [2]. Results last three to four months [14], though some patients experience effects for four to six months [17]. Schedule maintenance appointments two to three times per year to preserve your facial contours [15]
[18].
Potential Side Effects
The most common side effects are mild redness, swelling at the injection site and bruising [19]. Temporary injection site swelling and redness resolve within days.
Masseter reduction, Nefertiti lifts, and targeted lower face treatments can refine your facial contours when you choose the right approach. Consult with a practitioner at Beauty Vault in West Hollywood before scheduling any neurotoxin injections. They can assess your facial structure, discuss realistic outcomes, and create a customized treatment plan that addresses your esthetic concerns. Call us today at (323) 800-6770 or fill out a contact form to schedule an appointment.
FAQs
Q1. Is Botox for facial slimming worth the investment? Botox for facial slimming can be worthwhile if you have an enlarged jawline due to genetics or teeth grinding. Results typically appear within two to six weeks and last four to six months. The treatment relaxes and reduces the size of jaw muscles, creating a slimmer facial appearance.
Q2. What are the most commonly used neurotoxins for cosmetic treatments? The most popular neurotoxins include Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. All three contain botulinum toxin type A as their active ingredient. The FDA has also approved Jeuveau and Daxxify, with Daxxify being the newest option approved in 2022. Each formulation offers different potencies and characteristics that practitioners can select based on individual treatment goals.
Q3. Which neurotoxin works best for facial treatments? Botox remains the most widely recognized neurotoxin for facial treatments and has been used for cosmetic purposes since 2002. It offers high precision, making it particularly effective for treating well-defined areas such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and jawline contouring. The choice of neurotoxin depends on your specific treatment area and desired outcomes.
Q4. How long do results from masseter Botox treatments last? Results from masseter Botox typically last between four to six months, though some patients experience effects lasting up to 12 months with higher doses. Initial changes become noticeable around two to four weeks after injection, with maximum slimming effects appearing at eight to 12 weeks. Most patients schedule maintenance appointments two to three times per year to preserve their facial contours.
Q5. What side effects should I expect from facial slimming Botox? Common side effects include mild redness, swelling, and bruising at injection sites, which typically resolve within a few days. About 30% of patients experience temporary difficulty with chewing tough foods. Less common effects include headaches, smile limitation, or temporary facial asymmetry.
References
[1] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6489637/
[2] – https://greenreliefmd.com/face-slimming-botox/
[3] – https://www.puredermtx.com/post/facial-slimming-with-masseter-botox-a-non-surgical-option
[5] – https://www.calistamedspa.com/who-should-avoid-neurotoxin-treatments/
[6] – https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658
[7] – https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0801/p168
[12] – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29250900/
[13] – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8312-botulinum-toxin-injections
[14] – https://www.healthline.com/health/masseter-botox
[15] – https://www.michelegreenmd.com/face-slimming-botox
[16] – https://www.advdermatology.com/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin/jaw-reduction/
[17] – https://www.stratusplasticsurgery.com/blog/how-long-for-masseter-botox-to-work
[18] – https://www.yourfaceinourhands.com/blog/facial-slimming-with-botox-cosmetic/
[20] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7874868/
[21] – https://www.healthline.com/health/botox-for-slimmer-face
[22] – https://www.lucentderm.com/2024/04/01/which-neurotoxin-is-right-for-me/
[23] – https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/nefertiti-neck-lift/
[24] – https://elitemedicalspa.com/blog/botox-for-neck-bands-what-is-the-nefertiti-lift/
[25] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9336581/
[26] – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22362-lip-flip
[27] – https://www.advdermatology.com/blog/what-is-a-botox-lip-flip/
[29] – https://centerforsight.net/blog/how-botox-works-the-science-behind-the-smooth/
[30] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3634214/
[31] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10045881/
[32] – https://myskinsommelier.com/how-long-does-masseter-botox-last-full-guide/
[33] – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/91
[34] – https://sevlaser.com/blog/facial-slimming-with-neurotoxins-refine-jawline/
[35] – https://www.aadfa.net/masseter-muscle-botox-injections-the-new-clinical-protocol
[36] – https://www.careagaplasticsurgery.com/blog/do-neurotoxins-and-fillers-work-in-the-jawline/
[37] – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26441117/
[38] – https://www.newbeauty.com/view/neurotoxin-facial-reshaping
[39] – https://amedics.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-masseter-botox-take-to-work/
[41] –https://www.awplasticsurgery.com/injectables/neurotoxin-treatments/
