A square jawline that appears especially prominent in photos, or wrinkles around the eyes and between the eyebrows that deepen when smiling or frowning, may be caused not only by skin aging but also by the size of the facial muscles and repeated facial movements.

Botox is a treatment used to improve facial changes associated with muscle development or movement. Botulinum toxin is injected into the targeted muscles to reduce enlarged jaw muscles and create a softer facial contour, or to improve wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions.

During the summer, many people become interested in Botox because vacations and travel often create more opportunities to take photos. The procedure is relatively quick and generally allows patients to return to their daily activities soon afterward.

At QD Dermatology Clinic, we assess the size and movement of the facial muscles as well as facial symmetry before planning personalized Masseter Botox and Wrinkle Botox treatments.

1. What Are the Benefits of Masseter Botox?

Masseter Botox does not reduce the jawbone. It is a treatment that controls the activity of the masseter muscles, which are used when chewing food.

When the muscles that become firm and prominent at the sides of the jaw while clenching the teeth are enlarged, the lower face may appear wider and more square. Injecting Botox into this area can gradually reduce the volume of the muscles, helping the jawline appear softer.

However, when a wide jawbone, cheek fat, submental fat, or sagging skin is the primary cause of the facial shape, the degree of improvement from Masseter Botox alone may be limited. Therefore, the facial structure and the degree of masseter muscle development should be assessed before treatment.

2. Which Wrinkles Can Be Treated With Wrinkle Botox?

Wrinkle Botox does not fill the skin. Instead, it reduces the strength of the muscles that move during facial expressions, helping wrinkles appear softer.

It is commonly applied to the following areas:

* Forehead wrinkles

* Frown lines between the eyebrows

* Crow’s feet

* Nose wrinkles

* Chin wrinkles

* The area around downturned corners of the mouth

Wrinkles that appear when making facial expressions may respond relatively well to treatment. However, wrinkles that remain deeply visible even when the face is at rest may not completely disappear with Botox alone.

In addition, the muscles of the forehead, glabella, and eye area affect one another. Therefore, treatment should consider not only smoothing wrinkles but also eyebrow height and the natural appearance of facial expressions.

3. What Types of Botox Are Available, and How Are They Different?

QD Dermatology Clinic uses Newlux, Coretox, and Xeomin. All three products work on the same basic principle of temporarily reducing muscle movement, but they differ in terms of manufacturer, purification process, and protein composition.

* Newlux: Newlux is a botulinum toxin product manufactured in Korea. It may be considered by patients looking for Botox treatment at a relatively reasonable cost.

* Coretox: Coretox is a botulinum toxin product manufactured in Korea. It is characterized by a purification process designed to reduce unnecessary protein components. It may be considered as one of the available options for patients receiving repeated Botox treatments who are also concerned about the possibility of developing resistance.

* Xeomin: Xeomin is an imported botulinum toxin product manufactured by Merz in Germany. It is purified without unnecessary complexing proteins and has accumulated clinical and practical experience in multiple countries. It may be considered as one of the available options for patients who prefer an imported product or who are concerned about the possibility of resistance associated with repeated treatments.

Although the products differ in terms of manufacturer and purification process, no single product is more suitable for every patient. Rather than comparing product names alone, it is important to consider the treatment area, the degree of muscle development, previous treatment experience, and the interval between treatments.

The average cost of Botox treatment at skin clinics in Gangnam starts at approximately KRW 29,000. The exact cost may vary depending on the selected product, treatment area, and dosage used.

4. Precautions After Botox Treatment

Please follow these precautions after treatment:

* Do not press or rub the treated area forcefully.

* Avoid alcohol consumption and strenuous exercise on the day of treatment.

* Temporarily avoid saunas, Korean-style heated rooms, and hot baths.

* After Masseter Botox, reduce the consumption of tough or chewy foods such as chewing gum, dried squid, and beef jerky.

The effects of Botox do not appear immediately and gradually become noticeable over several days. Changes in the jawline may appear more slowly than the effects of Wrinkle Botox because time is required for the muscle volume to decrease.

What Defines Natural-Looking Botox Results?

When undergoing Botox treatment, carefully assessing the facial structure and muscle movement is more important than simply using a large dose. Because the degree of muscle development and facial expression habits differ from person to person, the treatment areas and dosage should also be adjusted accordingly.

For natural-looking changes, it is important to create a treatment plan that carefully considers the overall balance of the face.

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