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Book AppointmentBotox isn’t just for wrinkles. One of the most effective non-surgical ways to slim a square or bulky jawline is by relaxing the masseter muscle, the chewing muscle at the side of the jaw that can become enlarged from clenching, grinding, or genetics. I’ve been injecting Botox since 1992, and jawline slimming is one of the applications I’ve watched evolve the most as injection technique has become more precise.
How It Works
Masseter Botox targets the masseter and, in some cases, the temporalis muscle. Relaxing these muscles gradually reduces their bulk, softening a square jaw into a more tapered contour, without affecting chewing or natural expression when dosed correctly.
What to Expect
The appointment itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Results build gradually: most patients start noticing a softer jawline around two weeks in, with continued slimming over the following three to four months as the muscle relaxes and decreases in bulk. Results typically last 6 to 12 months, and with repeat treatment, many patients need lower doses over time as muscle bulk continues to decrease.
Side Effects
Most patients experience only mild, temporary bruising or tenderness at the injection sites, resolving within a few days. A stiff or unnatural appearance is almost always the result of overdosing or imprecise placement, not something that happens with correctly dosed, correctly placed injections.
Other Options for Facial Contouring
Depending on your goals, dermal fillers can add volume to the chin or cheeks to improve overall balance, and buccal fat removal is a surgical option for permanent lower-face slimming. Which approach makes sense depends on your anatomy and what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re curious whether jawline Botox is a fit for you, Botox more broadly, including how it works and what it can treat, is covered in more depth on my Botox page.
