Face-Slimming Treatment: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Sculpting the Chin
Face slimming has long been a cosmetic goal for people across the globe. For people who are dissatisfied with the shape of their face, jaw muscles could be the culprit. In particular, robust, bulky masseter muscles create width and heaviness along with a square-shaped jaw. To add volume to a chiselled jaw, facial implants can be inserted, but many others undergo face slimming for a delicate, V-line chin.
Until recently, this cosmetic craze was most popular in South Korea. Many specialized facial cosmetic surgeons have developed innovative ways to shave down the lower face width and create a feminine, heart-shaped chin. Facial feminization is sought after, and there are even smartphone apps that automatically adjust your selfies this way if you’d prefer the V-shaped look. People of all backgrounds, ages, and genders seeking help with face slimming don’t necessarily need to turn to plastic surgery.
Face slimming without surgery — do you know there’s another way?
As you can imagine, recovery from facial plastic surgery can be a lengthy process. Face-slimming surgery carries significant expenses plus risks that some people don’t want to take. What if there were another way?
Thankfully, with advances in technology, there is now an easy, effective face-slimming treatment in Toronto. Also known as masseter reduction, it allows for face reshaping in significantly less time, with minimal discomfort and beautiful results.
We’re not talking about jawline contouring with make-up. This treatment is longer-lasting and really changes the shape of your face without surgery or makeup. You may have spent countless hours reviewing YouTube tutorials for jawline contouring with cosmetics, and that’s a good trick for photos, but everyday practicality demands a better solution. Luckily, there is one.
How safe is face slimming through masseter reduction?
Botulinum toxin is among the most extensively researched and reliable medications in the medical field. Don’t let the word “toxin” frighten you. It’s the same treatment that’s been used medically to treat muscle spasms and migraines since the 1940s. For decades, this injectable, purified protein has been used to reduce muscle movement temporarily and has many applications outside the cosmetic world.
While it’s best known for reducing frown lines on foreheads, this injection can help slim the face by changing muscles. While some people wonder just how safe it is, it’s important to note that this neuromodulator is also a naturally derived protein. Following its medical use for decades, it became popular as a cosmetic application in the late ’80s.
As a neuromodulator, botulinum toxin influences the electrical activity of nerves. When injected into the strong jaw muscles by a highly trained specialist like Dr. Cory Torgerson, face slimming occurs because the muscle movement is reduced. Muscles that are not used and flexed vigorously tend to shrink. They don’t stop working entirely, and the dose is measured so minutely that subtle reduction occurs while regular jaw movement goes on. Over time, as the masseter weakens, its size is decreased, which translates to a narrower face and smaller jawline.
The safety profile for neuromodulators is excellent. The risks and considerations for this treatment must be reviewed between the doctor and client just as before its application to any area of the body.
Most people experience minimal discomfort, if any. There’s no downtime, but you may find that it takes longer than usual (a couple of weeks) to see the effects when treating this area.
How can I tell if I’m a candidate for face slimming in Toronto?
The masseter muscles are found at the lower rear area of your cheek, running from the cheekbone to the lower jaw on each side of the face. This powerful muscle connects the mandible (jawbone) to the cheekbone. It’s essential for mastication (chewing), as it closes the jaw each time you chew. People who clench their teeth (Bruxism) or who chew gum regularly may see an overdevelopment of these strong muscles. Likewise, some people are genetically predisposed to a square, strong jaw.
The best way to determine your suitability is to have a comprehensive consultation with a skilled facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Cory Torgerson. He has extensive experience using injectable cosmetic treatments to reshape the face. During your private meeting to discuss your goals and options, Dr. Torgerson will explain the procedure, analyze your jaw and face anatomy, then offer you a personalized plan.
There are few restrictions for treatment, though people with known allergies to neuromodulators, active facial infections, and women who are pregnant or nursing will need to wait.
A typical candidate for chin contouring is a healthy patient who presents with an over-developed, strong jaw. This may sound familiar if you have a genetic tendency toward a broad lower face and strong chewing muscles. This method of face slimming is popular among Asian females in Toronto, but just about anyone may be a good candidate.
What are the benefits of having a face-slimming treatment vs. surgery?
A surgical approach to creating a V-shaped chin is invasive. Depending on the method, healing of bone and related tissue could cause prolonged swelling and a lengthy recovery. The results from surgery are permanent as well. While that’s the right choice for some people, others want to see their desired changes without the total commitment to a lasting facial change.
Face slimming by way of cosmetic injections allow for an almost pain-free experience. You may want a topical numbing agent applied to the skin before an injection, yet the needle used is so fine, it’s not described as overly painful, regardless of numbing.
There’s no downtime either! Masseter reduction patients are pleased to learn they can undergo their jaw-slimming session on a lunch break or after work and then immediately get on with their day. You may experience mild sensitivity in the area for 12 to 24 hours.
What do masseter injections cost?
When compared to surgery, this method of facial contouring is the most cost-effective. The procedure can be done in minutes and doesn’t require the anaesthetic or equipment associated with surgery. The use of surgical equipment, additional medical staff, and pain management are eliminated with this face-slimming treatment.
Your masseter muscles require more product than smaller muscles in other face areas. You can count on a higher cost per session than treatment of the forehead, yet the effects are expected to last longer than the typical 4 months.
When will I see a visible improvement?
The width decrease is usually visible within a few weeks after the injection. The effects can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, and many people find they need less of the product injected each time.
Dr. Torgerson is considered a leading facial plastic surgeon, and he teaches and lectures extensively across North America. While he is adept in advanced facial cosmetic surgery techniques, he also has a passion for facial injectables as refined, versatile tools for enhancement. He offers free consultations, so you can learn about your best treatment options and proceed to make exciting changes when you’re ready. If you’d like to talk about slimming your face without surgery, we can help! Call to arrange your appointment today.
