Injectable Treatment

Jawline Slimming

Jawline slimming in London relaxes the masseter muscle to ease the jaw pain, headaches and tooth wear caused by clenching and grinding, while softening a heavy, squared lower face.

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Consultation room at UNTIL Marylebone where Dr Harriet treats jaw clenching

The short answer

What jawline slimming is

The masseter is the main muscle that closes the jaw. Habitual clenching and grinding, a condition known as bruxism, overdevelops it. That produces jaw pain, tension headaches, damage to the teeth, and a progressively squarer lower face.

Treatment temporarily relaxes the muscle, reducing the force of clenching and grinding. The symptoms ease as a direct result, and because a less active muscle gradually reduces in bulk, the jawline slims at the same time. Most patients come to Dr Harriet for the first and welcome the second.

Areas treated

What masseter treatment involves

Reduces the force of jaw clenching and grinding
Eases jaw pain caused by overworked masseter muscles
Reduces the tension headaches that come with constant muscle contraction
Protects teeth against wear, fractures and damage to dental restorations
Softens an overdeveloped masseter and squared jawline
Effect typically lasts around six months

Boundaries of practice

What's not treated

Good practice means saying no when indicated:

Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin or any component of the product
Active skin infection at the proposed injection site
Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Current treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics

Patient journey

What to expect from jawline slimming

Consultation & preparation

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E and fish oil for 48 hours beforehand where it is safe to stop them. Bring details of any dental treatment or mouth guard you currently use, since Dr Harriet will factor this into the plan.

During treatment

How does treatment help bruxism?

The injected protein temporarily relaxes the muscle it is placed into. Delivered to the masseter, one of the primary muscles responsible for clenching the jaw, it weakens the contraction and so reduces the force of grinding. That reduction in force is what relieves the associated symptoms, rather than any effect on the underlying habit itself.

Which symptoms improve?

Jaw pain from clenching masseter muscles. Tension headaches, which many patients with bruxism experience because of the constant muscle contraction. Dental problems including tooth wear, fractures and damage to restorations, since reducing pressure on the teeth protects against some of this. And an enlarged masseter muscle, which is what contributes to a more square jawline.

How long does it last and how often should I treat?

Treatment typically lasts about six months and periodic re-treatment may be required to maintain symptom relief. Having regular treatments for the first two years helps to slim the masseter and gives longer-lasting effects, because a muscle that is repeatedly under-used gradually reduces in bulk. Many patients then find they can extend the interval.

Aftercare

Stay upright for four hours and avoid rubbing or massaging the jaw. Skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and steam rooms for 24 hours. Chewing may feel less powerful for the first fortnight. Symptom relief builds to full effect by around two weeks.

Pricing

Jawline slimming prices in London

Anti-wrinkle treatments

Jawline slimming, masseter injections Both sides treated

£300

Booking

New patient deposit Redeemable against the cost of your treatment

£50

Written and medically reviewed byDr Harriet Turnbull, Aesthetic Doctor and GP: BMBS (Hons), MRCGP · MHRA: botulinum toxin type A is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.

FAQ

Jawline slimming FAQs

Will jawline slimming stop me chewing normally?

No. The dose reduces the force of clenching rather than disabling the muscle, and you keep normal function for eating and speaking. Some patients notice their jaw feels less powerful for the first couple of weeks, particularly with hard or chewy food, and this settles as the effect balances out.

How quickly will my jaw pain improve?

The muscle begins to relax within the first week, and most patients notice a reduction in jaw pain and morning headaches from around two weeks. The full effect settles by day fourteen. If your symptoms have been long-standing, the improvement often continues to build over the first month.

How much will my jawline actually slim?

That depends on how overdeveloped the masseter is to begin with. Visible slimming usually appears from around six to eight weeks as the under-used muscle reduces in bulk, and it becomes more marked with regular treatment across the first two years. Dr Harriet will set a realistic expectation at consultation.

Do I still need a mouth guard?

Possibly. Treatment reduces the force of grinding but does not stop the habit, so your dentist may still recommend a guard for overnight protection. Dr Harriet will ask about your dental history at consultation and is happy for you to coordinate with your dentist on the combined approach.

Get Started

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Dr Harriet Clinics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ

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Appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks