8-West Cosmetic Surgery

About the Procedure

Some patients are frustrated by muscle enlargement at the angle of the jaw, which they believe gives them a “square” face or jaw look. Enlarged masseter muscles (or masseteric hypertrophy) and broad bony jaw angles are common feature of Asian people, particularly those of Korean and Chinese descent. When they become excessively enlarged, which occurs in roughly 10 to 20% of the population, they find that their face becomes too square or strong. Caucasian patients with masseter hypertrophy often have a history of bruxism (excessive jaw clenching), which contributes to the muscle enlargement. Rather than surgically reducing the size of the masseter muscle, Dr. Buonassisi often recommends a less invasive technique. Very accurate placement of BOTOX® into the masseter muscles allows for a significant reduction in the size of the muscles over the following several months.  The treatment has essentially no downtime and can be repeated if further reduction in the size of the muscles is desired.

Benefits of the Treatment

• Reduction in the size of the master muscles
• Narrowing of the perceived jaw width

Are You a Good Candidate

Masseter muscle reduction with BOTOX® is ideal for Asian patients who have enlarged masseter muscles either on one or both sides of the face. Dr. Buonassisi will evaluate your facial features and determine if this treatment is right for you.

Physical Features

You may be a candidate for masseter muscle reduction if if you have any of the following physical features:

• Undesired width of the jaw line
• Asymmetric jaw line

Recovery

There is no downtime associated with BOTOX® treatments. While uncommon, some patients experience light bruising. You will have tiny red marks at the injection site directly following the treatment, and these fade within 30 minutes. You can return to work or normal activities immediately. Patients should expect some decreased chewing power as a result of BOTOX® treatments to the masseter muscle. BOTOX® takes 4 – 7 days to take effect.

Risks & Complications

All cosmetic injectable treatments have risks. Dr. Buonassisi will review the risks and benefits of BOTOX® with you during your consult. BOTOX® is very safe when administered by an expert injector. In general, complications of BOTOX®, while not expected, include:

• Risk of bruising
• Risk of undesirable cosmetic result

Combination Facial Sculpting Procedures

Asian patients often inherit enlarged masseter muscles and enlarged buccal fat pads. In this case, master muscle reduction can be combined with buccal fat. For Asian patients, Double eyelid surgery is often combined with these facial sculpting procedures.

What Facial Sculpting Procedure is Right for You?

While the information on this site is extensive, it is not designed the replace the skill and expertise of a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Use the information to help you explore the possibilities and educate yourself about the typical recovery period of cosmetic surgery. While this site provides general information about cosmetic surgery as it related to the average person, it cannot be used as a tool for people to decide which surgery is best for them. Only a thorough consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon can provide the specific information they require to make an informed decision about surgery.

Ready to Discuss Your Needs with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr.Buonassisi?

Schedule a Consult If you are ready to book a consult with Dr.Buonassisi please Request a Consult . If you would like to learn more about what to expect during a surgical consult, please go here .

Not Sure You Are a Candidate? Use our Virtual Consult Form

Not everybody is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. As a service to clients, we have launched a Virtual Consultation tool. Upload your photos, provide some information about what you would like to change, and a cosmetic surgeon will provide a complementary evaluation. Find out more about the Virtual Consultation here.