If you clench your teeth when you’re stressed, you may have noticed your jaw has become more prominent over the years. What you might not know is that this can be treated.
Jawline slimming injections are one of the most underused treatments in aesthetics. Patients who discover them often wish they’d known about them sooner.
The muscle behind the problem
The masseter is the large, powerful muscle that runs along the side of your jaw. It’s the main muscle used in chewing, and in some people — particularly those who grind or clench their teeth, consciously or in their sleep — it becomes overdeveloped over time.
An overdeveloped masseter creates a wider, heavier lower face. It can give the jaw a square, angular look that many patients find masculinises their face or makes it appear wider than they’d like. It can also cause jaw pain, headaches, and significant tooth wear.
How the treatment works
Muscle relaxing injections placed directly into the masseter reduce the activity of the muscle over time. As the muscle is used less intensively, it gradually reduces in size. The result is a slimmer, softer jawline — and, for patients with grinding or clenching issues, a significant reduction in discomfort.
Results typically begin to appear after four to six weeks and the full effect is visible at around three months. They last between four and six months, after which the muscle can gradually increase again if the treatment isn’t maintained. Many patients find that with regular treatment, the masseter stays smaller even with less frequent top-ups.
It’s not just a cosmetic treatment
It’s worth being clear: jawline slimming isn’t exclusively aesthetic. For patients with bruxism — chronic grinding or clenching — this treatment can be genuinely life-changing. Persistent jaw pain, morning headaches, cracked teeth, disrupted sleep.
Addressing the root cause, rather than just managing symptoms, makes a meaningful difference to daily life.
Some patients come to Dr Anita Dhunna specifically for the functional benefit. Many find that the cosmetic result is a welcome bonus.
Who is it suitable for?
Jawline slimming works best for patients with a visibly enlarged masseter — you can often feel it by placing your fingers at the back of your lower jaw and clenching. If the muscle bulges noticeably, there’s a strong chance this treatment would have a visible impact.
It’s suitable for both men and women, though the goals differ slightly. Female patients typically want a slimmer, more oval facial shape. Male patients often want to reduce the heaviness or asymmetry in the lower face while retaining a defined jawline.
Dr Anita Dhunna will assess your jaw at consultation, discuss what’s achievable, and be straightforward with you about whether this treatment is the right one.
Combined with other treatments
For patients interested in overall facial harmony, jawline slimming pairs well with chin filler or jawline contouring. Reducing the width of the lower face while adding definition to the chin and jaw creates a balanced, proportional result that’s difficult to achieve with either approach alone.
It’s the kind of combination work that Dr Anita Dhunna does regularly — and where her attention to the whole face, rather than a single area, consistently makes the difference.
Book your consultation at dranitadhunna.com
Clinics across Essex and Hertfordshire including South Woodford, Bishops Stortford and Hatfield.
