5 Unexpected Benefits of Botox for the Lower Face

When most people think of Botox (Neuromodulators), they picture smooth foreheads and the disappearance of crow’s feet. While treating the upper face remains highly popular, advanced injection techniques have expanded neuromodulators' capabilities. Today, some of the most dramatic, multi-functional results occur below the cheekbones.

At Fiore Dermatology in San Carlos, CA, our clinical team, including Michelle Fiore, M.D. and certified physician assistant Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C, specializes in full-face assessment. If you are looking to refresh your appearance or find relief from jaw tension, here are five unexpected benefits of administering Botox to the lower face.

Relieving jaw tension and TMJ discomfort

Many individuals chronically clench their jaw or grind their teeth at night, a condition known as bruxism. This overworks the masseter muscles—the powerful chewing muscles located at the angle of your jaw—leading to chronic tension, facial pain, and headaches.

Clinical summaries from the Mayo Clinic indicate that when Botox is injected directly into hyperactive masseter muscles, it temporarily limits their contraction force. This breaks the cycle of involuntary grinding without altering your ability to chew comfortably, offering massive therapeutic relief for TMJ sufferers.

Slimming and contouring the jawline

When masseter muscles are continuously overworked from clenching, they undergo hypertrophy, meaning they grow larger and bulkier over time. This can cause the lower face to appear severe, overly square, or widened.

• The aesthetic shift: As noted by Healthline, relaxing the masseter muscle can cause it to shrink by up to 30% over several weeks gradually.
• The outcome: This targeted muscle reduction softens a harsh jawline, creating a more tapered, elegant, and balanced lower facial profile.

Softening a dimpled or hyperactive chin

As the body ages, the mentalis muscle (the prominent muscle in the chin) can become overactive or hyperfunctional. This constant muscle tension pulls the overlying skin taut, creating a bumpy, uneven texture often referred to as "orange peel" skin or chin dimpling. Injecting a small, precise dose of Botox relaxes the mentalis muscle. This immediately smooths out the dimpled texture and helps restore a youthfully rounded, relaxed contour to the lower chin.

Lifting downturned corners of the mouth

A natural downturn at the corners of the mouth can inadvertently create a sad, tired, or angry resting facial expression. This is frequently driven by the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, which pulls the edges of the lips downward.

According to data recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), strategically placing Botox into the DAO muscle releases this downward pull. Consequently, the corners of the mouth lift slightly back to a neutral position, subtly refreshing your natural resting expression.

Smoothing out vertical neck bands

The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle that drapes over the front of the neck and pulls the lower face down. With time and repetitive movement, this muscle can separate into distinct vertical bands, aging the neck profile. By treating these bands with Botox—a technique often included in a "Nefertiti lift"—the muscle relaxes. This smooths out the vertical bands and reduces the downward pull on the jaw, creating a sharper, more defined jawline.

Lower face Botox requires an expert understanding of facial anatomy to ensure your smile remains perfectly symmetrical and natural. Whether you are seeking relief from jaw pain or looking to refine your lower facial contours, Dr. Fiore and Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C, are here to customize your treatment. Contact Fiore Dermatology in San Carlos today by calling our office or scheduling your consultation online.