Masseter Botox in Suwon: first check whether the volume at the side of the jaw is muscle

When looking into masseter Botox in Suwon, the first step is to check where the volume at the side of the jaw comes from. Even for the same area, the change you can expect differs depending on whether the contour is created by the chewing muscle, the salivary gland below the ear, the jawbone, or fat, and even within the muscle, the injection points are chosen separately.

• The part that rises up firmly when you clench your teeth is likely the muscle, and the fuller area in front of and below the ear may be the salivary gland.
• Within the muscle, injections are usually centered on the thicker lower portion, avoiding the front border near the mouth and areas too far up.
• If the thickness of the muscle differs between the two sides, the dose and location are decided separately for each side.

Where does the volume at the side of the jaw come from — muscle, salivary gland, or bone?

Masseter Botox is a procedure that reduces the strength of the masseter, the chewing muscle, for a set period, letting its volume gradually shrink. So the change you can expect differs depending on what's causing the sides of the jaw to look wider.

• The chewing muscle can be identified by the sides of the jaw rising up firmly when you clench your teeth.
• The parotid gland sits in front of and below the ear, and when enlarged, it can make the back of the face's side profile look fuller.
• If the angle of the jawbone is naturally pronounced, the angular shape remains even when the muscle is relaxed.
• Fat and sagging skin tend to appear gathered below the jawline or under the chin.

In practice, several factors often work together. Breaking down the causes makes it possible to distinguish the part that masseter Botox can address from the part that needs a different approach.

View masseter Botox treatment information

Does the injection location vary even within the muscle itself?

The chewing muscle is a broad muscle that runs from below the cheekbone to the corner of the jaw. Masseter Botox is mainly injected at several points centered on the lower part of the muscle, where it feels thickest.

Near the front border of the muscle is a muscle that moves the corners of the mouth when smiling, so injections usually avoid the front border to keep the medication from spreading there. Areas too far up are also avoided, and the injection depth is matched to the muscle.

If you tend to chew mainly on one side, the thickness of the muscle can differ between the two sides. In this case, rather than giving the same amount to both sides, the dose and injection points are decided separately based on thickness.

What reactions and side effects can occur depending on the location?

Bruising, soreness, and swelling at the injection site can occur regardless of location. A few days later, you may feel less strength when chewing hard food, and this often becomes less noticeable within a few weeks.

Rarely, if the medication spreads forward, the corners of your mouth can look odd when smiling, and in some cases part of the muscle doesn't shrink enough and looks bulging. If skin elasticity has declined, the area under the cheeks may look sunken.

These reactions usually recover as the medication's effect wears off, and effects and reactions vary from person to person. If swelling or pain keeps getting worse, you should contact the clinic to get it checked.

How should you take care of the area after treatment, and when can you check for changes?

On the day of treatment, it's best to avoid rubbing or kneading the side of the jaw, and to avoid saunas, exercise that makes you sweat heavily, and drinking. Habits that press on the injection site, like sleeping face-down or resting your chin on your hand, are also best avoided for a few days.

During the weeks when chewing strength decreases, cutting back on chewy foods and adding softer foods can reduce discomfort.

Changes in the contour at the side of the jaw tend to appear gradually over a few weeks, since the muscle needs time to shrink in volume. Around this time, check for any difference between the two sides using a mirror and photos, and if a difference remains, confirm it during a consultation. Taking a front-facing photo at the same distance and lighting as before the procedure makes it easier to spot the difference.

What's good to check in the mirror before a consultation in Suwon?

If you have an upcoming masseter Botox consultation in Suwon, check the following in front of a mirror beforehand.

• Whether the sides of your jaw rise up firmly when you clench your teeth
• Whether the two sides of your jaw look different in size
• Which side you tend to chew on more
• Whether the area below your ear or under your chin looks full
• Whether you've had masseter or salivary gland Botox before

What you see in the mirror is only a reference — the cause and whether to proceed are decided by the medical staff after a direct examination and consultation.

FAQ

Q. If the widening is caused by the salivary gland, can masseter Botox reduce that too?

A. Masseter Botox targets the chewing muscle, so if the salivary gland is the main cause, the change may be limited. If the salivary gland appears to be the cause, a different approach, such as salivary gland Botox, is discussed together during the consultation.

Q. Can I get it on just one side?

A. If there's a big difference in muscle thickness between the two sides, the dose may be set differently for each side, or the plan may focus mainly on one side. The medical staff decides based on the balance of your whole face.

Q. Will my chin tip also become slimmer?

A. Masseter Botox acts on the muscle at the side of the jaw, so the shape of the chin tip doesn't change directly. Please bring up any concerns about your chin tip separately during the consultation.

Q. Is bulging at the temple also related to the chewing muscle?

A. There's also a muscle used in chewing at the temple area, so if you have a habit of clenching your teeth, it can look more pronounced there too. Since masseter Botox targets the muscle at the side of the jaw, please mention any concerns about your temples separately during the consultation.

Q. Why do people mention the corners of the mouth looking odd when smiling?

A. If the medication spreads past the front border of the muscle toward the muscles around the mouth, it can rarely change the shape of the corners of the mouth when smiling. That's why injections avoid the front border, and even if it occurs, it usually recovers over a few weeks.

Summary

Since masseter Botox acts on the chewing muscle, the starting point is first telling whether the volume at the side of the jaw comes from the muscle or from the salivary gland, bone, or fat. If you're considering masseter Botox in Suwon, start by clenching your teeth in front of a mirror.

The effect and reactions vary by individual.

FACE FILTER Clinic Suwon is located on the 5th floor of eSpace City I, 202 Geumgok-ro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.

For consultation inquiries, please call 031-778-6666.

View Hours and Parking Information