Botox in itself is a scary thing to tap into. Imagine wanting to know different variants of botox and having questions like how long does masseter botox last. Well, we have already covered many topics on botox, and today we will also tell you all you need to know about masseter botox.
Table of Contents
What is Masseter Botox?
As usual, we must know what we are getting into before finding out more things like Masseter Botox before after results.
So, the masseter is the muscle that assists you in chewing. It is present on the side of the face and connects the lower jawbone to the cheekbone. Its main function is to manage the closing of your mouth.
Masseter Botox is the process of injecting Botox into your masseter. It is also known as jaw Botox. It is done to treat various kinds of medical conditions related to the head and the jaw.
The process treats a range of conditions that happen when masseter muscles tighten. These include clenching, headaches, teeth grinding, and jaw pain.
The masseter muscles may become enlarged for various reasons. It mostly happens with patients who clench or grind their teeth. If you want to slim down your face, masseter Botox is an excellent solution.
It can drastically alter the lower face’s shape and decrease facial pain. It will lessen the size of your jaw muscles and beautify your face. But how long does masseter Botox last? Stay tuned to find answers to all your questions regarding masseter Botox.
Why is Masseter Botox done?
- To provide relief from headaches
- Contour the face and creating a square jaw
- Balance the shape of the face
- Control teeth grinding
- Lessen jaw tension, clenching, and pain
Benefits of Masseter Botox
Here are reasons why there are reasons to go through this therapy:
Teeth grinding
Lifestyle changes and mouthguards can treat bruxism or teeth grinding. But Botox injections promise the best results if yours is a case of severe bruxism. The Botox injection will relax your jaw and stop the teeth from clenching.
Face slimming
Botox can decrease the size of masseter muscles. So, it is an option if you have a chubby face. Masseter Botox will give you a V-shaped and slim jawline.
TMD
The temporomandibular joint connects the skull to the lower jawbone and facilitates chewing. If you have TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), this treatment will relieve its symptoms like jaw locking, ear pain, jaw pain, and headaches.
Is it a complicated procedure?
Are you interested in improving your jawline or getting rid of jaw pain? Has your healthcare provider recommended this treatment to you?
It is natural to feel curious about its cost and wonder how long does masseter Botox last. But before knowing that, it is important to have some idea about the procedure.
Receiving a masseter Botox will be a quick procedure and you don’t need to stay at a hospital. Check out all that goes into this treatment:
Prior to the procedure
Before beginning the procedure, a medical practitioner cleanses the area. They examine the face and the jaw to choose the injection site. He will ask questions to understand your concerns and goals.
Generally, each side of your face will need 15-50 units of Botulinum Toxin. The doctor will inject Botox into the masseter muscles. It should not have a significant impact on chewing or biting.
You must note that it treats masseter muscles only. It will not transform a squared jawline as the bone structure is responsible for that. The goal is of jawline slimming to fix an asymmetric or disproportionate jaw by injecting Botox to weaken the muscle.
What to expect during the procedure?
So, how long does Botox in masseter last? Well, it takes around 5 – 15 minutes to give a patient the complete. The exact duration will depend on the number of syringes required.
Masseter muscles are bulky and thick. So, a long needle makes the job easy for the doctor.
20mm needles are commonly used in this treatment. The doctor will mark the areas where he will inject Botox.
Then he injects the needle into specific areas of your face. You are free to return home after taking the injections.
Aftercare
There is no recovery time for this treatment. You can drive home as soon as the procedure is over. However, you must refrain from massaging or rubbing the injection area.
Avoid doing anything that can pressurize the injected area. That’s because Botox might move in different areas of your face. That’s the last thing you want. This will lead to facial drooping or weakness. So, here are some post-treatment guidelines from leading plastic surgeons:
- Try staying upright for some hours
- Avoid massaging the face
- Do not have alcohol for 72 hours
Whom to trust with the process?
Finding an esteemed cosmetologist for your masseter Botox treatment is necessary. Only an experienced person can administer a Botox treatment perfectly. So, you need to look for a person with board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery. Then you can be certain that the surgeon is adept at using Botox to fix your masseter muscles.
Here are some tips to select a surgeon:
- Take referrals from an acquaintance who has opted for the masseter Botox treatment and is happy with the outcome
- Enquire about a doctor’s success rate and experience before finalizing him
- Research online and verify the doctor’s credentials
- Approach a well-known Botox treatment center that has good surgeons
How do you know if you should do Masseter Botox?
Are you not sure if Masseter Botox treatment is for you?
You have to consult an accomplished surgeon who excels in Botox administration. He will let you know if Masseter Botox is the right treatment to improve your quality of life.
How long does masseter Botox last?
It is wise to find out how long it will stay before opting for any new cosmetic procedure. The injections need a few days to completely take effect. For most people, it does not take more than a week.
Masseter Botox stays 4-6 months. After that, it gradually returns to its original form. But with continued treatment, the muscles feel seamless and retain the shape you want to possess.
Side effects of Masseter Botox treatment
Masseter Botox is a common and safe procedure. However, you may experience some side effects. These include:
- Nausea
- Temporary weakness or facial drooping
- Headache
- Bruising or mild pain at the injection spot
- Symptoms of flu
All these symptoms are temporary and they disappear within a few days. Hence, there is nothing to worry about.
Masseter Botox is not supposed to ruin your smile or alter other facial characteristics.
If you notice something like that, it means the Botox has migrated into other regions of your face.
In that case, inform the matter to your plastic surgeon at the earliest. You should also inform your doctor if other symptoms persist.
What to do to make the impact of Masseter Botox last
Botox is one of the best treatments for the masseter muscle of the face. However, its effect will wear off as the body naturally degrades it.
You need to understand that you cannot make Botox last forever. But you can extend the length of it by doing certain things.
Keep these things in mind if you want the Botox treatment to stay longer:
Rely on a highly qualified medical practitioner
Botox injections need an accurate dosage. Applying the injection correctly in proper sites is also crucial. Only a talented and accomplished person can do it. So, if you want great results that last, get it done from an esteemed doctor in a medical setting.
Don’t indulge in strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Gentle exercise will cause no harm. But hot yoga, saunas, facial massages, and rigorous exercising can force Botox to target other areas of the face.
This might lead to partial facial paralysis (temporary) or other undesirable conditions like eyelid drooping.
Sleep on the back for the first night after taking the Botox injections. After 24 hours, you can do any type of exercise you like.
Avoid sunbeds and the sun
Sun damage can result in premature wrinkles. Botox cannot cure these damaged wrinkles as it does not work on the underlying muscles.
To maintain the results for at least six months, don’t step out of the home without sunscreen.
Apply SPF on the hands, neck, and face every day, and use a sunscreen of high quality. If possible, remain indoors at noon.
Consume zinc supplements
Studies have revealed that there is a close connection between Zinc levels within a person’s body and the results of Botox.
Find out if you have zinc deficiency and start taking supplements daily.
Regular intake of zinc after the Botox treatment will prolong its anti-aging effects.
Take less stress
Surprised to learn that there is a connection between stress and Botox treatment? Stress does not just ruin your mental health. It speeds up the process of aging.
So, if you want to extend the advantages of your injections, you have to reduce stress. Yoga and meditation are two amazing stress-relieving mediums.
Say ‘yes’ to maintenance treatments
An ideal way of extending the life of jaw Botox is by undergoing maintenance treatments. Schedule an appointment when the results begin to wear off.
Consistent Botox treatments are useful. They train the targeted masseter muscle to respond to the muscle relaxer for a long time. However, you cannot overdo it.
Too many sessions with your cosmetic surgeon might adversely impact your muscle. It will end up resisting Botox or reacting negatively.
Final thoughts
So, doctors perform masseter Botox for medical and cosmetic reasons. It is an excellent way to balance the overall shape of your face. It will give you an impressive jawline. For people with severe bruxism, getting Botox in the TMD muscle is a perfect solution. Now you also know how long does masseter botox last. It has very little downtime and you can go back to normal activities immediately. To get the desired results, make sure you find an experienced surgeon.
Frequently Asked Questions?
1. Will your smile change after treatment?
No, the Masseter Botox does not change your smile. It targets the masseter muscles, not the smile muscles. However, an unwanted side-effect of this procedure is the diffusion of the Botox to surrounding muscles.
So, if it migrates to your smile muscle, your smile will appear lopsided. You have to visit your cosmetologist again if you see this happen.
2. Does the Masseter Botox procedure impact chewing?
You might feel a mild irritation when you chew after the doctor injects the Botox into your masseter muscle. The uneasiness will disappear after a week and your chewing will return to normal.
3. Do I need Masseter Botox treatment?
Do you want a slimmer and sharper face without going through surgery? Masseter Botox will give you a V-shaped face without surgical interventions. It will improve your features if you have asymmetrical muscles/ jaw or masseter hypertrophy. It will also cure bruxism. And how long does masseter Botox last? You already know the answer.
4. Is the Botox treatment painful?
Masseter Botox is not a painful procedure. The injection will feel like an ant bite or a tiny prick. Most patients have opined that the treatment is comfortable.
5. Is the Masseter Botox affordable?
What is the cost of the masseter Botox procedure? The price of masseter Botox treatment varies based on the amount of Botox injected into your muscles. It also differs from one city to another. The experience and popularity of the medical practitioner is another factor that affects the cost. So, visit a renowned doctor in your neighborhood to get an estimate of the price.