The masseter muscles are the major muscles that move the jaw – these muscles attach the lower jaw to the skull on the outer sides of the face. When the masseter muscles are larger, it can create a wider face and jaw. This can make a face appear more masculine, with a wide or square jaw, which is not always desirable. There are surgical and non-surgical options for masseter reduction to reshape the face and jaw available at Maia Plastic Surgery in Tysons Corner, VA.

The surgical option for reducing the prominence of the masseter jaw muscles involves removing tissue from the muscle and jaw bone. This can be accomplished through an incision inside the mouth to access the masseter muscle and jaw, shaving away bone and trimming the size of the muscle. The results are a slimmer face with a more tapered jawline that is more feminine and oval or heart-shaped, versus square or round.

Non-Surgical Face/Jaw Slimming

It was once necessary to perform surgery to provide masseter reduction for patients seeking a slimmer or more feminine jaw. The popular option now is Botox® injections for non-surgical masseter reduction. Botox injections can be used to relax the masseter muscle, allowing it to shrink over time. This is a non-invasive procedure with no downtime or recovery needed – the results can become apparent over the following weeks. Depending on the desired results, patients may require two to three sessions or more of Botox to achieve their desired shape. In some cases, the results are permanent and do not require ongoing Botox injections to maintain the desired appearance.

If you are unhappy with the width of your lower face or jaw, masseter reduction treatment may be right for you. To learn more about the surgical and non-surgical options for face slimming, contact us at Maia Plastic Surgery in the Washington, DC, metro area. We can schedule a private consultation with Dr. Maia to discuss reshaping your jaw or lower face.