How many units of botox needed for jaw reduction?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Hmm…my jawline could be a little more defined?” Well, you’re not alone. Many people desire a slimmer, more contoured jawline but are unsure of how to achieve it. Enter: Botox. Yes, the same substance that erases wrinkles can also be used for jaw reduction.

But how many units of Botox do you actually need? Let’s dig into this topic with our signature blend of humor and factual information.

What is Botox?

First things first: let’s define what we’re talking about here. Botox is short for botulinum toxin type A – try saying that five times fast! It is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (not exactly dinner party conversation material).

In simpler terms, when injected into muscles, it temporarily paralyzes them by blocking nerve signals from reaching them. This effect lasts for several months before wearing off naturally as new nerve endings grow.

Are There Different Types of Jaw Reduction Treatments?

Yes! In addition to using Botox injections (which we’ll focus on in this article), there are other ways to achieve jaw reduction:

Surgery
Dermal fillers

Surgery involves physically altering the bone structure or removing some muscle tissue from under your chin (shudder). Meanwhile, dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid or Radiesse add volume to certain areas around your face after being injected underneath your skin.

However…we’re not going to delve too much further into these options because this article is all about using everyone’s favorite wrinkle-fighter for contouring purposes!

How Does Using Botulinum Toxin Reduce Your Jaw Size?

Before getting technical yet again (sigh), let’s illustrate how Botox can slim down your jawline in simple terms: it basically relaxes the masseter muscles responsible for chewing so that they shrink over time.

When you chew or clench your teeth, these muscles contract and become stronger. This is similar to working out any other muscle group – you’re essentially exercising them. However, as with any workout routine, keeping up this habit while also wanting a slimmer face might seem like a Catch-22 dilemma.

This is where Botox comes into play! When injected properly by an experienced practitioner, it weakens the masseter muscles which causes them to atrophy (or lose some of their size). Isn’t science fascinating?

How Many Units of Botox are Needed for Jaw Reduction?

Now we get to the meaty part of this article (pun intended)! You’re probably itching to know…how many units of Botox do I need per session?

The answer, unsurprisingly (since all faces are unique), varies depending on each individual’s circumstances. But generally speaking, anywhere from 15-50 units per side will be administered evenly into both sides between one and four injection points (ouch, but necessary!).

For those who aren’t sure what ‘units’ imply when we say “50”, let us explain briefly: one unit refers to a specific amount defined by Allergan Inc. (the pharmaceutical company that created onobotulinumtoxinA) as containing 100 nanograms or less of highly purified botulinum toxin protein.

Your doctor will decide based on various factors such as age or desired result if more than one treatment session is required since it could take several sessions before achieving optimal results – just like going through physical therapy!

Preparing For Your Botulinum Toxing Procedure

As always with medical procedures (even non-surgical ones), there are certain things you’ll want to keep in mind or do before your appointment. Here’s a checklist:

Let your clinician know if you’re taking any blood thinners or muscle relaxants that could affect the outcome of the procedure.
Discontinue use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for two weeks prior to treatment since they increase bruising risk
Avoid eating garlic, ginger root or ginseng supplements at least 48 hours beforehand as these can lead to increased bleeding
It might help to refrain from drinking alcohol 24 hours prior as well because it could make side effects more pronounced.

What Side Effects Can You Expect After Botox Jaw Reduction?

Like with most cosmetic treatments, some side effects may occur after jaw reduction injections (gasp). These typically include localized pain, swelling or bruising in the area around where you received them which usually dissipates within two weeks while others like dry mouth are rare but could happen.

It’s always best practice to let your practitioner know about anything unusual so she/he may address it properly – don’t wait until something gets severe. Also be aware that there is a slight chance of allergic reaction related symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Don’t panic though! Although this isn’t common (in fact happened only in a few cases), if an emergency arises then seek medical attention ASAP!

Ideal Candidates for Botox Jaw Reduction

Clearly not everyone needs jaw reduction through Botox injections…and conversely not everyone can get it done either. It’s important to consult with a specialist who has experience administering this kind of treatment and answer questions honestly so they can assess eligibility based on factors such as:

Medical history including allergies
Age range (less than 18 years old is generally considered unsafe)
Pregnancy status/having childbirth plans soon

If passed all prerequisites for receiving Botox for jaw reduction, then you’re one step closer to achieving the jawline of your dreams without having to perform any actual physical labor (double win).

Conclusion

That’s it folks! Now you know what Botox is and how it can be used for comfortable jaw reduction. What we love best about this treatment option is that there’s low to no downtime involved (yaaay) unlike other surgical alternatives which require a bit more recovery time.

Of course getting regular injections might get expensive over time but if “the look” makes you happy…isn’t it worth every dollar? Remember though that our bodies are unique and results may vary from person to person so managing expectations realistically would ensure maximum satisfaction as well!

So now, let us make professional botox services do their job (and some stress-self-caring magic) into taking care of our facial features. Thank goodness someone thought about using botulism toxin as an aesthetic enhancer instead of something killing off humans! And hey maybe one day they will invent invisible braces we don’t have to wear for hours- science never ceases fascinating us all.