Clinical Protocol: Masseter Treatment
Pre-Treatment Safety, Expectations & Aftercare.
Realistic Expectations
Function First, Aesthetics Second
This treatment behaves differently to standard anti-wrinkle injections.
The Timeline: Do not expect instant slimming.
Week 2: You should feel a reduction in tension and clenching.
Week 4-6: You will begin to notice the physical slimming of the face as the muscle reduces in size.
Muscle Memory: If you are a chronic grinder, your brain may try to fight the treatment initially. It takes time to break the habit of clenching.
Bone vs Muscle: This treatment only reduces muscle bulk. It cannot change the shape of your jawbone. If your square jaw is skeletal, the slimming effect will be subtle.
Immediate Side Effects
Chewing Fatigue: It is very common to feel like your jaw is tired after eating chewy foods for the first 2-3 weeks. This is a sign the treatment is working.
Paradoxical Bulging: In rare cases, a specific part of the muscle may relax faster than another, causing a temporary bulge or lump when you clench. This looks alarming but is harmless. It usually resolves itself, or I can correct it with a small adjustment dose at your review.
Bruising: Deep bruising can occur due to the depth of the injection.
Adverse Reactions
Smile Asymmetry: The Masseter sits close to the Risorius muscle (the muscle that pulls your mouth wide when you smile). In rare instances, the product can affect this muscle, leading to a restricted or asymmetrical smile. This is temporary and will resolve as the product wears off, but it cannot be reversed instantly.
Dry Mouth: Extremely rarely, the parotid gland (saliva gland) can be affected, causing a temporary reduction in saliva production.
The Aftercare Rulebook
To ensure the product settles correctly, you must adhere to the following for 24 Hours:
Do NOT rub or massage the jawline.
Do NOT lie flat for 4 hours post-treatment.
Do NOT exercise vigorously.
Do NOT drink alcohol excessively.
Specific Masseter Advice:
Avoid eating excessively chewy foods (gum, steak, tough bread) for the first 3 days to allow the muscle to rest.