✅ What it is

• The large chewing muscles on either side of your jaw (the masseters) can become prominent because of heavy chewing, teeth grinding (bruxism), stress-clenching, or genetics.
• The treatment involves injecting a neuromodulator into those masseter muscles to reduce their activity. Over time, this causes the muscle bulk to reduce, creating a softer, more V-shaped lower face.
• It’s also used for functional relief: reducing jaw tension, headaches from grinding, TMJ-type symptoms, as well as purely cosmetic contouring.

⚙️ How the procedure typically works

• Consultation: The physician assesses your jawline width, muscle size, how much chewing/grinding you do, bone structure vs muscle bulk. They’ll determine whether the “wide jaw” is muscle-based (where Botox helps) or bone/structural (where surgery or other options may be needed).
• Injection Session: Tiny injections of botulinum toxin are placed into the masseter muscles on each side. The session is relatively quick — often ~10-20 minutes.
• Onset & Visible Effect:
• You may begin to notice subtle changes in ~2-4 weeks.
• The more noticeable reduction in muscle size/jaw width often appears around ~1-3 months post-injjection.
• Duration/Repeat: Effects typically last around 4-6 months, sometimes longer depending on dose, muscle activity, and your metabolism. Maintenance treatments are required if you want to sustain the contour.
• Recovery: Minimal downtime. Some mild swelling, tenderness, or bruising possible but most people resume normal activity immediately.

💰 Typical cost range in Seoul

• Price varies significantly depending on brand of neuromodulator, number of units used, clinic reputation, and whether the client is local or a visitor.
• One price-list example shows “Masseter (Square Jaw) / 50 units” from around ₩ 60,000 Koreans Won (~USD $45-50) for certain lower-cost brands.
• More commonly for a full session, guides list a range of ₩ 100,000 to ₩ 300,000 KRW (roughly USD $80-$230) for a jaw-slimming Botox session.
• Always check what the quoted price includes (consultation, injection, follow-up) and whether the number of units is specified.

🧐 What to ask / check before going ahead

• Which brand of neuromodulator will be used? Some brands cost more, have different profiles; ask about authenticity.
• Dosage/units: How many units are planned per side? How is the dose tailored to your muscle size and chewing habits?
• Injector’s experience: Specifically with masseter injections and lower-face contouring. Because precision matters: mis-dosing or wrong placement can affect chewing, smile, symmetry.
• Diagnosis of cause: Is your wide jaw due to muscle, bone, or fat/soft tissue? Botox only treats muscle — if bone is the main cause, results will be limited.
• Aftercare and activity restrictions: What should you avoid (e.g., heavy chewing, gum, teeth-grinding) in the first days/weeks?
• Maintenance plan: How often will you need repeat treatments? Will muscle size rebound if you grind or chew heavily?
• Cost breakdown: Ask what’s included in the quoted cost (consultation, injection, follow-ups, possible touch-ups) and whether there are hidden/additional fees.

📋 Smart tips & after-treatment care

• Avoid heavily chewing gum, hard/chewy foods for the first few days if your practitioner advises, so the muscle reduction effect can settle.
• If you grind your teeth at night or clench your jaw, address this habit (night guard, stress control) — the muscle can re-enlarge if over-used.
• Monitor your chewing/biting after treatment: you should not lose normal chewing function, but you should notice less bulk in the jaw.
• Use good oral hygiene and manage stress/tension to support long-term results.
• Remember that the lower-face contour is a combination of muscle, fat, bone and skin — if there’s sagging skin or excess fat, you may need additional treatments (fat-dissolve, thread lift, skin tightening) for full effect.
• Keep a record of what was done (brand, units, clinic) so future treatments can be consistent.