Face remodelling?

[cathy_z]

I've read a bit that botox can remodel the face?

Is this true?

I thought it just paralysed your muscles and stopped them from causing frowns and crows feet?

Is this just hype?

[cindy_hk]

Hi,

I'm from Hong Kong originally and I can certify botox to reshape the face is extremely popular in asia. I've had it done myself.

In Korea it used to be very popular to get part of the jawbone cut out to change the facial shape from a square to a more circle shape. Apparently a lot of the Korean stars had it done. Botox injections into the cheeks has almost totally replaced this surgery.

It is popular in asia to inject the chewing muscles (masatars ?sp). Over time they get smaller since they are unable to work as hard. I had it done and my cheeks are a lot smaller. The result is my face is much more circular. Before that it was very square and a bit manly looking.


I hope this helps. I loved it. Before getting it done I was considering getting surgery.

[Dr.Grace]

Facial reshaping is one of the more 'fun' things a doctor can do with Botox, and one of my favourite procedures to perform. As Cindy pointed out, the treatment is overwhelmingly popular in Asia. In Western countries including here in Australia, over 90% of Botox is used to treat dynamic wrinkles (expression line). In Korea, on the other hand, 2/3 of Botox administered is given to the masseters for facial reshaping. Because of the low demand for facial reshaping here, not a lot of doctors are trained to offer the procedure.

The treatment involves precise placement of Botox into the masseter muscles in the face. Botox partially relaxes the masseters so they are unable to work as hard as usual. Over 2-3 months this causes the masseters to reduce in size (the same way an arm which has been in a plaster cast comes out smaller). Studies done in Korea show that 2 to 3 Botox treatments (each spaced 2-3 months apart) can shrink the masseters by around 50%. What's even more exciting is that the mandible (jaw bone) shrinks with the masseters (smaller muscle means less force pulling on the bone --> the bone naturally shrinks in size).

So, how long can the results last? If the patient is very careful to avoid all tough foods and chewing gum (so the muscles don't get any exercise) it is theoretically possible to maintain the size reduction in the long term. However, since we cannot expect anyone to live exclusively on porridge and yogurt, and some people who are stubborn teeth grinders get a lot of masseter 'exercise' during sleep, a safe estimate is to expect to get a top-up treatment every 3 to 4 years to keep the masseters very small.

Hope this answers your questions!

Take Care,

Dr. Grace
Clinical Director
Kiora Medical Spas
www.kiora.com.au
T 1300 55 98 96

[starfish]

Hi Dr.grace.


I've been looking at this sort of thing for quite some time now.I wanted to "tidy" up my face a bit but don't want surgery.

Can you tell me if Botox for facial shaping is as effective as a suture lift? Is it comparable to the other types of non-surgical work? I really want to do something about my saggy cheeks

[doctornev]

Hi airkisses,


We usually use about 40 units into each masseter (the large muscles over the cheeks).

We charge by unit at $18 a unit. Because we are relying on gradual shrinking of the muscles the effect typically lasts much longer than it does for procedures which rely on the muscle been immobilised. Typically 9-12 months.

[princemkhan]

Botox treatments is a technique to getting a exciting, energetic appearance.