Jaw Slimming Consultation
Slim a wide jaw caused by strong chewing muscles or teeth grinding.
- Treatment time
- About 15 minutes
- Results
- Clenching eases in 1–2 weeks; the jaw looks slimmer over 4–8 weeks
- Longevity
- Usually 4–6 months
- Downtime
- None
About Jaw Slimming
This page is about a consultation for lines and wrinkles. John works out what's behind them — muscle movement, loss of volume or the condition of your skin — and explains every option that could suit you. That might mean skin boosters, dermal filler, microneedling or skincare, as well as a prescription treatment. A prescription treatment is only ever prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you face to face, and it may not be the right choice for you.
Your masseter is the big chewing muscle at the corner of the jaw. For some people it's naturally large; for others it grows from clenching or grinding, making the lower face look wide or square. In jaw slimming, muscle relaxant is placed into the masseter on both sides; over the next few weeks the muscle eases off and loses some bulk, so the jawline softens into a narrower, more oval outline.
As the same treatment cuts down clenching, plenty of people also get relief from a tense jaw, tension headaches and the wear that grinding causes.
Key Benefits
- 01Narrows a wide or square jaw for a softer face shape
- 02May ease clenching, grinding and tightness in the jaw
- 03Could help with tension-type headaches caused by clenching
- 04No surgery and little downtime
- 05A gradual change that looks natural over several weeks
- 06With repeat treatments the muscle stays relaxed and results build
Is this treatment right for me?
This is suitable for anyone whose lower face looks square or wide because of a strong masseter, and for people who clench or grind and want relief from the tension it brings. If the width comes mainly from bone rather than muscle, John will tell you at consultation.
You may be suitable if…
- Your jaw looks wide or square, particularly as you clench
- You clench or grind, or wake up with a tight, sore jaw
- You want a narrower lower face without an operation
- You aren't pregnant or breastfeeding
Your consultation will consider…
- How much of your jaw's width is muscle and how much is bone, checked by feeling the masseter as you clench
- Whether you clench or grind, and anything your dentist has advised
- The balance of your face, so a narrower jaw doesn't make the cheeks look hollow
- Your health history and what you're hoping for
What to expect
Before treatment
Your first step is always a face-to-face consultation with John. He watches how your face moves, listens to what you'd like to change, talks through what a natural-looking result means for you, and goes through your medical history. As this is a prescription-only treatment, it can only be prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you in person. You don't need to prepare in any special way, although coming without heavy make-up over the area is helpful.
During treatment
The appointment doesn't take long. John marks out the treatment points and then uses a fine needle to place a series of tiny injections into the muscle being treated. Most clients feel a short pinch or sting rather than real pain, and numbing isn't usually needed. Including time to go over your aftercare, you'll typically be with us for around 15–20 minutes. To slim the jaw, a few injections go straight into the masseter on each side, and because this muscle is so much bigger, the dose is larger than for fine lines on the face.
After treatment
You're free to leave and get on with your day as soon as we've finished. Little raised bumps can show where the needle went in for 15–20 minutes, and now and then there's some redness or a tiny bruise. Because the muscle eases off gradually across the next few days, don't expect to see a difference straight away.
Watch
See this treatment in the clinic, in short videos on John’s aesthetics site, Trusted Touch Aesthetics.
Watch 8 videos →Results & longevity
Slimming the jaw isn't like treating fine lines: the masseter is a big muscle, so the change builds slowly. Clenching tends to feel easier after one to two weeks, while the visible narrowing appears over four to eight weeks as the muscle loses bulk. One peer-reviewed study of masseter treatment measured a reduction in muscle thickness from about four weeks, lasting up to six months. Results generally last four to six months, and with repeat treatment the muscle usually stays smaller for longer.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
When it comes to recovery, few of our treatments are as easy as this one. There's no real downtime, and most clients head straight back to work or carry on as usual.
Side effects
The usual short-lived effects are slight redness, tenderness or a little bruise at the injection site, and sometimes a mild headache for the first day or two. Less often, a neighbouring muscle can be affected — the brow might feel heavier for a while, or, rarely, an eyelid may droop — and this fades as the product wears off. Flu-like symptoms are very rare. The effect doesn't last forever and can look a little uneven to begin with, which is why we see you again at two weeks to make any small adjustment.
Aftercare
For about four hours afterwards, stay upright rather than lying down. For 24 hours, avoid rubbing, massaging or pressing on the treated area, and keep make-up off the injection points until the next day. Hard exercise, saunas, hot baths and alcohol can all make bruising more likely, so leave them for 24 hours. Washing your skin gently in the usual way is fine.
Get in touch with the clinic if you notice an eyelid drooping, obvious unevenness, any difficulty swallowing or breathing, or anything else that concerns you — we'd always prefer you to call.
- Downtime
- None
- Redness
- Slight, and normally gone within the hour
- Swelling
- Little bumps lasting 15–20 minutes
- Bruising
- Sometimes a small bruise that fades over a few days
- Normal activities
- Straight away; leave out hard exercise for 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I guaranteed to be prescribed a treatment?
No. The aim of the consultation is to find what will really help you. After assessing you in person, our nurse prescriber decides whether a prescription treatment is appropriate — and if it isn't, or something else would work better for you, we'll say so.
How soon will I see a difference?
Clenching tends to ease first, after one to two weeks. The visible narrowing comes more slowly, over four to eight weeks, as the muscle shrinks.
Can I still chew as normal?
Yes. At the right dose the muscle relaxes rather than stopping working; for a few weeks very chewy foods may feel a little different, but this passes.
Will it help if I grind my teeth?
Lots of people with bruxism find it does — one clinical study found reported jaw pain fell significantly and mouth opening improved after masseter treatment. Do tell us about any grinding or clenching at your consultation.
How long do the results of jaw slimming last?
Usually four to six months. With repeat treatments the muscle often stays smaller for longer, so the gap between appointments can stretch out.
How soon will I notice a difference?
The muscle eases off gradually. The first softening tends to appear after two to three days, and you'll see the complete result at about two weeks — when we offer a review in case anything needs tweaking.
How long will the effect last?
Usually three to four months, after which movement slowly comes back. The exact length depends on the area treated, the dose and how quickly your body processes it; we can plan your next treatment at consultation.
Is it painful?
Most clients feel a brief pinch. The needle is very fine and each injection is over in a second or two, so the discomfort doesn't last. Numbing usually isn't necessary.
Will I need time off?
No. You can go back to work or carry on with your day immediately. For the first few hours we simply ask you not to do strenuous exercise, lie down or touch the area.
What does the consultation involve?
John looks at how your face moves, talks through what you'd like to change and reviews your medical history. As this is a prescription-only treatment, it can only be prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you in person. Before you book anything, you'll have a clear plan and a price.
Your Practitioner
John Dixon
Founder & Aesthetician
John founded Banana Beauty Lab and runs his aesthetics practice, Trusted Touch Aesthetics, here. He specialises in facial balancing and harmonisation, alongside wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. His training is CPD-certified, he is fully insured, and is known for taking the time to assess your face properly, explaining every option honestly and never over-treating — the aim is always a natural result that still looks like you. Clients regularly mention his calm manner, attention to detail and the aftercare follow-up that checks in on how you're healing.