If you regularly wake up with a sore jaw, chances are you’ve come across chewing botox as a potential treatment. Yes, although botulinum toxin (the scientific name for Botox, if you didn’t know) is best known for its ability to temporarily smooth facial wrinkles, it has some supported by research medical benefits as well.
Basically, these injections work by temporarily relaxing the masseter muscles (under your cheekbones and near your jaw), which can reduce teeth grinding and clenching and relieve symptoms temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction—a group of disorders that can cause pain in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and can cause tension headaches and migraine attacks. Even if you don’t experience any of these issues, you may be considering Botox massage for cosmetic reasons: That is, it can temporarily shrink your muscles and make your jawline appear thinner as a result.
Considering the potential perks—and the fact that it shows All does Botox these days – it makes sense that these injections are quite popular. If you search #masseterbotox on TikTok (which has over 200 million views), for example, you’ll see thousands of impressive (heh) before and after video— along with some horror stories.
As enticing as these anecdotal endorsements may seem, however, it’s important to consider the potential downsides as well. While chewing Botox is generally considered safe, it can cause bruising and some people say it’s a little uncomfortable. And if it’s not done right, there’s also a chance it can make your smile temporarily asymmetric, research shows. (Here’s some expert advice on choosing an approved injector.) Oh, and let’s not forget that it can be pretty expensive, especially if insurance doesn’t cover your treatment. (Depending on where you go, who does it, and how many units you need, massage Botox it can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000.)
Ok, considering all the possible pros and cons above, let’s give you an answer Really Want to know: Is massaging botox worth it? We asked eight people who’ve had the injections if the results lived up to the hype—and the price was justified.
“I didn’t notice any significant changes.”
Name: Aisha C.
Age: 26
Price: $400
Why you had masticatory botox: “To reduce the tightness of my jawline and slim down my face.”
Was it worth it?: No.
“I didn’t see much difference in the shape of my face like in other videos before and after [I saw online]. Also, my jaw clenching didn’t stop completely: it lessened slightly but came back after a few weeks.”
“A huge relief for my TMJ.”
Courtesy of Nicole P.
Name: Nicole P.
Age: 28
Price: Free (covered by insurance)
Why you had masticatory botox: “I heard it was an option for relieving some of my TMJ symptoms, which included jaw clicking, clenching, teeth grinding and pain.”
Was it worth it?: Yes.
“Overall, this has been a huge relief for my TMJ symptoms. I have noticed a huge reduction in the intensity of the pain, as well as a reduction in the size of my masseter muscles (which used to make my lower face look bulky).”
“I would definitely keep paying for it.”
Name: Angela P.
