qd masseter botox
Jaw Botox relaxes the masseter, the chewing muscle at the angle of the jaw, so an over-developed muscle gradually softens for a smoother lower-face line; it may also ease clenching and grinding. Salivary gland Botox (parotid and submandibular) can further refine the lower-face contour. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your jaw muscle and face shape first. A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- A square or wide lower-face line from a developed masseter muscle
- Habitual jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Lower-face fullness that may relate to the salivary glands
- Anyone who prefers a non-surgical option with minimal downtime
Whether the masseter, the salivary glands, or both are involved is confirmed by examination. Bone shape is not changed by botulinum toxin.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
How much of it is the masseter and how much the parotid and submandibular glands, and their function
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
Rather than adding more volume, we decide where to fill and where to leave alone, and the line at which expression stays natural.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare what filler, Botox and skin boosters each change and what they cannot change, with the alternatives alongside them.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
Beforehand we check blood thinners, immune conditions and allergies, past injectables, possible pregnancy and the dates that matter.
the
principle
We check muscle strength and function and the balance of your expression, then plan the smallest effective range, only where it is needed.
Botulinum toxin type A reduces the contraction signal to the masseter; with less activity over the following weeks, an over-worked muscle gradually decreases in bulk, softening the jaw angle and easing clenching. In the salivary glands, small doses lower gland activity so the area becomes less full. Doses and points are planned to keep chewing function comfortable. The effect is temporary.
How it works
01
Blocks the nerve-to-muscle signal
Botulinum toxin type A binds at the neuromuscular junction and blocks the release of acetylcholine — the chemical a nerve uses to tell a muscle to contract. The treated muscle then relaxes and pulls on the skin less.
02
Bulk decreases with less use
With the masseter working less, an over-developed muscle gradually reduces in bulk over the following weeks, softening the jaw angle and easing clenching. This is why the change is gradual rather than immediate.
03
Salivary glands work differently
When the parotid or submandibular glands add lower-face fullness, small doses lower their secretory activity so the area becomes less full — a separate action from muscle relaxation.
04
Wears off as activity returns
Signalling recovers over time, so muscle use and gland activity return and the effect fades — which is why the treatment is repeated.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Jaw Botox relaxes the masseter, the chewing muscle at the angle of the jaw, so an over-developed muscle gradually softens for a smoother lower-face line; it may also ease clenching and grinding. Salivary gland Botox (parotid and submandibular) can further refine the lower-face contour. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your jaw muscle and face shape first. A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Ingredients and authenticity
We check the product name, the maker, the ingredients, the expiry date and the use approved for that purpose.
Anatomy and expression
We look at where vessels are at risk, at muscle movement, skin thickness and the proportions of the whole face, then set the injection points.
Small amounts, one stage at a time
Allowing for swelling and the early response, we avoid overcorrection and top it up later if that is needed.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation and examination of the jaw muscle and face shape
- Cleansing and marking of injection points
- Injections into the masseter and, if indicated, the salivary glands
- Brief pressure and aftercare guidance
Time: A session usually takes about 10–15 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary tenderness, mild bruising, or an unfamiliar feeling when chewing may occur in the first days and usually settles.
- Follow the aftercare guidance we provide; contouring change appears gradually over several weeks.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary tenderness, mild bruising or an unfamiliar feeling when chewing in the first days
- A short period of muscle fatigue while eating harder foods
- Slight asymmetry that eases as the effect settles or wears off
- With salivary gland treatment, rarely a temporary dry-mouth sensation or a change in the smile if nearby muscle is affected
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert–Eaton syndrome
- Certain medications, including aminoglycoside antibiotics or muscle relaxants — tell your doctor
- A known allergy to botulinum toxin or any ingredient in the product
- Significant jaw-joint (TMJ) or dental problems, or active infection at the injection site — tell your doctor
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Injection day
Injections into the masseter and, if indicated, the salivary glands take about 10–15 minutes. Temporary tenderness or mild bruising may occur and usually settles. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3
Settling
Any tenderness or an unfamiliar feeling when chewing generally eases over the first few days. Timing varies from person to person.
4-8 WEEKS
Gradual slimming
As the masseter is used less, the jaw line softens gradually and becomes more noticeable for many people around this period. (Results vary by individual.)
3-6 MONTHS
Gradual return
Muscle activity returns gradually and the line slowly fills back. Duration differs with muscle strength, dose and habits such as clenching. (Results vary by individual.)
REPEAT
Maintenance
A repeat session is timed at consultation once muscle activity returns, rather than on a fixed date.
Sessions & results
Slimming of the jaw muscle appears gradually over about 4–8 weeks and typically lasts around 3–6 months as muscle activity returns. A repeat plan is timed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
Lower-face fullness can come from muscle, the salivary glands or fat, so the right approach depends on what is driving the shape.
| Masseter Botox | Salivary gland Botox | Fat-focused options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Botulinum toxin type A relaxes the chewing muscle | Small doses lower salivary gland activity | Addresses fat rather than muscle or gland |
| Targets | A square line from a developed masseter | Fullness related to the parotid or submandibular glands | Fullness from fat under the jaw |
| Onset | Gradual over 4–8 weeks | Gradual over a few weeks | Varies by method |
| Duration | About 3–6 months | Varies by individual | Varies by method |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Varies by method |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
When the jawline looks square because the chewing muscle (the masseter) is overdeveloped, this treatment reduces the bulk of that muscle. If the angular look comes from the width of the bone itself, there is almost no change. Working out whether the cause is muscle or bone is where this treatment begins, and at the consultation we ask you to clench your teeth so we can judge the muscle.
Unlike wrinkle injections, a muscle needs time to lose volume, so the change begins after two to four weeks and is clearest at around two to three months. If you expect a smaller face within a few days, you are likely to be disappointed. We suggest taking a photo now and comparing it two or three months later.
In the early weeks some people feel that they have less force when chewing hard food, and most adapt to it. Too high a dose can make that discomfort considerable, so we use only as much as is needed. If your jaw joint is painful or clicks, please tell us beforehand.
As the muscle loses volume, the side of the cheek can look relatively empty. This is more likely when the treatment is repeated in someone whose cheeks are naturally thin, so we adjust the dose and the intervals and, if needed, plan added volume alongside it. If it worries you, please raise it at the consultation first.
At the start it is common to have a few sessions several months apart to bring the muscle volume down, and to stretch the intervals once the result settles. If you have a habit of clenching your teeth, the muscle regains size more easily, so the maintenance plan is different. We decide it individually as we follow your progress.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
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