Many patients seek a softer shape to their face. Particularly in Asian females, changing the shape of the face from square to a more oval shape can add a more gentle graceful appearance.
Medication jaw reduction reduces the width of the jawline changing an overly square one to a more oval or heart shaped face. In some patients, the masseter muscle, a chewing muscle, is enlarged creating extra facial width. Medication selectively weakens this muscle over time leading to an overall reduction in the size of this muscle.
Injection is a pain free and bruise free experience. Often patients come during their lunch breaks and return to the office immediately after. There is usually softening of the masseter muscle at one week and softening of the jawline at 6 weeks.
Some researchers have noticed "permanent changes" to the jawline after 2-3 treatments. However, it is reasonable for patients to expect long term benefit but not permanent changes.
Cost:
At the Baywood Clinic medication costs $10 per unit. Typically, 25 units is injected into each Masseter muscle, so it is $500 per treatment session. The average patient returns twice more, at about 3 – 4 months for additional sessions. After that sessions are spaced out much further apart to maintain the desired result.
