Cheekbone Botox: Tidying a Lateral Cheekbone Caused by Muscle

More people than you might expect say they feel disheartened every time they look in the mirror, because prominent lateral cheekbones make the face look wider. Some have already begun looking into surgical options such as cheekbone reduction surgery. But if the cause is muscle development rather than the cheekbone itself, cheekbone botox alone can be enough to expect a smoother line.

In this article we would like to walk you through how cheekbone botox works and what characterises it — a treatment that tidies an uneven facial contour and helps complete a slimmer face line — along with the points to be careful about in order to reach a satisfying result.

How does cheekbone botox work?

Cheekbone botox uses a component called botulinum toxin to temporarily relax the overdeveloped muscle around the cheekbone and reduce its volume. The cheekbone area is bone covered by muscle and fat, so if the cheekbone stands out noticeably when you smile, or the lateral cheekbone looks prominent even at rest, it can be seen as a sign that the muscle in that area has developed excessively.

Put another way, cheekbone botox works by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters and reducing muscle movement, thereby reducing muscle volume and tidying the lateral cheekbone line. When a muscle is used less, its volume naturally decreases, and as a result the lateral cheekbone line that once protruded is softened and smoothed out. This means the horizontal width of the face can feel reduced without shaving any bone.

How tidying the lateral cheekbone line changes the impression

When the lateral cheekbone is developed, the face can look peanut-shaped, or the area below the cheekbone can appear hollow, making a person look older than they actually are. Cheekbone botox can be understood as playing the role of connecting these irregularities into a smoother line.

It can also be helpful for those whose cheek muscles rise when they smile, making the eyes look smaller or the expression look severe. Because excessive contraction of the muscle is eased, the expression when smiling can become more natural and softer, and as the overall surface area of the face is reduced, there is the additional benefit of the features appearing more clearly defined.

Points to check carefully before treatment

Cheekbone botox may look simple, but in fact it is a treatment that requires very precise design. If the product is injected in the wrong place or an excessive dose is used, hollowing can appear beneath the cheekbone.

For a satisfying result, facial shape, muscle mass and skin elasticity all need to be assessed closely. Rather than shutting down the muscle around the cheekbone across the board, what matters is the careful touch of relaxing only the parts that need it. Muscle movement when opening the mouth or smiling has to be read in detail, so that the design is tailored to tidy the line smoothly without the worry of cheek hollowing.

Discomfort, time required, and how long it lasts

One of the biggest advantages of cheekbone botox is that it is simple. The treatment takes only around five to ten minutes, and you can return to daily life straight away without a separate recovery period. As it is an injection, there may be a slight stinging sensation, but with the help of an ice cooling system, even those who are sensitive to discomfort can usually be treated without much burden.

The effect varies from person to person, but it generally begins to appear gradually from around one to three weeks afterwards, when a natural, smoother line can be seen. It typically lasts around three to six months, and repeating it regularly before the muscle develops again helps maintain a slimmer line for longer. Setting the interval that suits your own rate of muscle regeneration is an important part of this.

Cheekbone botox is suited to these cases

Cheekbone botox is not suitable for everyone with prominent cheekbones. It tends to bring improvement mainly for those whose bone structure itself is not especially large, but whose cheekbone area bulges noticeably when smiling and gives a strong impression, or those who can feel the thickness of the cheekbone muscle even with a neutral expression, making the face look wider. It can also be a good alternative for those who are unhappy with their line because of muscle movement. Lifting devices and surgery are not the only answers to improving facial shape — a small treatment such as cheekbone botox can also resolve a point of self-consciousness while making the most of the strengths of your own look.

What matters is not how much is injected, but exactly which point it is injected into. Please do keep in mind that considering each person’s muscle movement and the harmony of the face as a whole, and completing a natural beauty rather than an artificial one, is what counts.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How many sessions of cheekbone botox should I have?

A. As the effect generally lasts around three to six months, it is common to repeat it regularly before the muscle develops again. The appropriate interval can differ according to each person’s rate of muscle regeneration, so checking through a consultation is the most accurate approach.

Q. How is cheekbone botox different from a cheekbone contouring injection?

A. Cheekbone botox reduces volume by reducing muscle movement, while a cheekbone contouring injection reduces volume by breaking down fat and soft tissue. If the cause of a prominent lateral cheekbone is muscle development, cheekbone botox is usually suggested; if it is fat or soft tissue, the contouring injection is usually suggested. Where both causes are present, a combination may also be considered.

Q. How long do the effects of cheekbone botox last?

A. This varies between individuals, but it commonly lasts around three to six months. Because the duration can change depending on how quickly the muscle develops again, regular maintenance can help you keep the line for longer.

Q. Are there any side effects with cheekbone botox?

A. Although uncommon, temporary bruising or swelling may occur depending on the individual. If an excessive dose is injected or the position is inaccurate, cheek hollowing can appear, so it is important to have facial shape and muscle mass assessed precisely before treatment.

Q. Who is cheekbone botox suitable for?

A. Those whose cheekbone area bulges when smiling, or who can feel the thickness of the cheekbone muscle at rest — rather than those whose bone structure itself is large — often ask about it. That said, if the cause is bone or fat, the effect may be limited, so an accurate diagnosis of the cause comes first.