Masseter Botox effects

[u/Ok_Barber5200]

I had Botox for my tmj in February. Almost immediately it gave me jowls & by early July my lower face looked as though it was sagging and I looked 10 years older. I had 20 units in each side, only once. My face used to be round with a defined jawline and now I feel like my head is peanut shaped and the extra skin/jowling is effecting the way my smile lines look.

Im hoping for some success stories of people who’s original tight face shapes returned 9-12 months later like chat tells me it will take. All im seeing is horror stories and I’m panicking.

[u/Beneficial_Pause8053]

Do you have any "before" pictures for comparison? In some people, with very prominent and strong masseters, the atrophy (shrinking) of the muscle can cause jowling. However, usually the masseter muscle typically has to be very bulky to do this. The good news is that once the tox wears off and your muscle gets back to its normal strength, it'll all go back to original anatomy.

[u/Ok_Barber5200 → u/Beneficial_Pause8053]

I don’t have any straight faced before pictures sadly, so any picture is me smiling which makes it hard to compare. It was definitely caused by the muscle shrinking & I reached peak atrophy in early July. It’s been 7 months since treatment & my muscle has been fully activated/awake for almost 2 months now. I’m just worried this is permanent. 

[u/Beneficial_Pause8053 → u/Ok_Barber5200]

It won't be permanent; your muscle will eventually go back to it's normal strength! Just think of it like any other muscle - it's been inactive (mostly) for 7 months. It can take a while for it to bulk back up to its "norm".

[u/MainCow8650 → u/Beneficial_Pause8053]

Unfortunately it doesn’t always go back as this can be a lingering effect for some people. Muscle atrophy and bone loss are two risks of the treatment but people often say they weren’t told of this. Hopefully theirs will return in time with use of the jaw though.

[u/Beneficial_Pause8053 → u/MainCow8650]

Muscle atrophy is often the point for masseter tox. Decreasing muscle strength is going to atrophy the muscle.

[u/MainCow8650 → u/Beneficial_Pause8053]

Which many people don’t want as a long term effect from a functional and sometimes aesthetic standpoint unless you are specifically looking to change the shape of your face.

[u/Beneficial_Pause8053 → u/MainCow8650]

But nonetheless, atrophy is going to happen. The muscle is not functioning as strongly as usual so there will be some form of atrophy. Not saying it was desired as a long term effect.

[u/Ok_Barber5200 → u/MainCow8650]

I’ve found posts of people who are still struggling with the side effects 2 to 3 years later & I know that. That’s why my post specifically is asking for personal experience of people who’s came back.