Aesthetic medicine · London
Masseter botox for jaw slimming, bruxism and TMJ pain.
A ten-minute injection that softens the lower face over 8 to 12 weeks, and quiets night-time grinding, jaw pain and tension headaches. Done by injectors who treat the masseter every week, in CQC-registered London clinics.
Why patients choose us
- 01
An injector who treats the masseter often, not once in a while
Aesthetic doctors and maxillofacial specialists who inject the masseter weekly, with a clear plan for dose and points per side.
- 02
Aesthetic and functional, quoted together
For bruxism, TMJ pain or tension headache we quote alongside a dental night splint referral, so the muscle and the joint are treated as one.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What masseter botox costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our London panel. Send a photo and a note on symptoms and we quote firm figures.
In short
Bilateral masseter botox in London: £280-£550, ten minutes in the chair.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and assessment | £75-£150 | 20-30 min | Same visit |
| Masseter botox, bilateral (both sides) | £280-£550 | 10-15 min | Onset 2-4 weeks |
| Masseter botox, unilateral (one side) | £180-£350 | 10 min | Onset 2-4 weeks |
| Combined with anti-wrinkle botox (upper face) | £450-£800 | 20 min | Onset 2-4 weeks |
| Six-week review and top-up | Included-£120 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Dental night splint referral | £250-£600 | Separate visit | 2 weeks |
Prices vary by injector, brand of toxin (Botox, Azzalure or Bocouture), unit count per side, and whether upper-face treatment is added at the same visit.
The journey
From first photo to a softer jawline - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to your six-week review, and honest advice on splints, fillers or surgery where those fit better.
- 01 Before
You send us photos and symptoms
Front and three-quarter photos with the jaw clenched, plus a note on grinding, jaw pain, headaches or aesthetic goals.
- 02 Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether masseter botox fits, or whether a dental review, splint or fillers belong first. Indicative price either way.
- 03 Before
We book the consultation
Usually within one to two weeks. Face-to-face assessment, palpation of the masseter at maximum clench, and photo documentation.
- 04 On the day
Arrival and marking
The injector maps the safe zone, avoiding the risorius and lower fibres that shape your smile. Ice or topical anaesthetic if you prefer.
- 05 On the day
The injection itself
Three to four points per side, 30 to 50 units of botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Azzalure or Bocouture) per side. Ten minutes in the chair.
- 06 On the day
Straight back to your day
No downtime. Avoid heavy exercise, alcohol and lying flat for four hours. You can eat and drink normally straight away.
- 07 After
Onset, peak and review
Effect starts at two to four weeks, peaks at six to eight weeks. Face softens over 8 to 12 weeks. Review at six weeks, top-up if needed.
When it helps
When masseter botox is the right step - and when it is not.
The clinical and aesthetic pictures we see most, plus the signals that mean a dentist, filler or maxillofacial referral belongs first.
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Bulky masseter widening the lower face
Prominent square jaw from hypertrophic masseter muscle, giving the lower third of the face a wider outline than the cheeks.
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Bruxism and night-time tooth grinding
Waking with a sore jaw, a grinding partner report, or a dentist flagging tooth wear, cracked cusps or flattened enamel.
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TMJ dysfunction and jaw pain
Aching or clicking at the joint just in front of the ear, worse in the morning or after a stressful week at work.
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Tension-type headache
A daily band-like headache across the temples, often triggered or worsened by jaw clenching through the day.
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Gummy smile, as an adjunct
Not a first-line treatment, but a small dose can complement upper-lip botox where masseter bulk contributes to the overall lower-face shape.
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More oval, softer facial contour
Patients who want the lower face to soften into a more oval or heart-shaped outline over 8 to 12 weeks, without surgery.
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Post-orthognathic refinement
Selected patients after jaw surgery where residual muscle bulk keeps the face wider than the new bony contour predicted.
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Red flag: locked jaw or facial swelling
A jaw that will not open, a rapidly growing lump, facial numbness or unexplained weight loss needs urgent maxillofacial assessment first.
Treatment options
Not one product, and not always the answer.
The three UK-licensed toxins, plus the splint, filler and surgical alternatives that sometimes fit better.
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Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
The most established brand, widely used for both aesthetic and functional masseter treatment. Typical dose 30 to 50 units per side.
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Azzalure (abobotulinumtoxinA)
Speywood units, not interchangeable with Botox units. Often quoted as 100 to 150 Speywood units per side by experienced injectors.
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Bocouture (incobotulinumtoxinA)
A pure toxin without complexing proteins, favoured by some clinicians for repeat treatment. Dose broadly similar to Botox.
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Three to four points per side
A deep grid pattern inside the safe zone, staying above the mandibular border and posterior to the anterior masseter to protect the smile.
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Combined with dental night splint
For bruxism we combine botox with a custom night splint from your dentist. Muscle and joint together, not one or the other.
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Combined with upper-face botox
Frequently added to forehead, glabella or crows-feet in the same appointment for a whole-face rejuvenation plan.
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Fillers as an alternative shape tool
If the widening is bony rather than muscular, chin or jawline filler reshapes the outline better than masseter botox.
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Surgery, in extreme cases
Rare in the UK today. Reduction masseteroplasty or mandibular angle contouring is reserved for very bulky muscle with a firm bony component.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of London injectors, we picked them.
Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, PHI Clinic, Dr Wassim Taktouk, Waterhouse Young and Young LDN - a curated London panel with proven masseter caseloads.
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GMC-registered doctors, dentists or maxillofacial specialists, not beauty-therapist prescribers
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CQC-registered clinics with clear complications pathways and prescribing indemnity
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A demonstrated caseload of masseter treatments, not occasional aesthetic work
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Willing to say no where fillers, a splint or surgery is the better first step
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Masseter botox is a well-established injection with a short list of predictable, reversible side effects. Here is the honest read.
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Bruising at injection points
Small, self-limiting bruises are the commonest side effect. Arnica and avoiding aspirin or ibuprofen for 48 hours before helps.
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Asymmetry from over or under-dosing
One side responding more than the other, usually correctable with a small top-up at your six-week review.
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Unwanted smile change
Injecting too anteriorly can weaken the risorius and change the shape of your smile. A careful injector maps the safe zone to avoid it.
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Chewing weakness with excessive dose
Very high doses can leave chewing steak or hard bread tiring for the first few weeks. Resolves as the effect settles.
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Transient headache
A dull headache in the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment is common and settles with paracetamol.
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Effect timeline
Onset at 2 to 4 weeks, peak at 6 to 8 weeks. Face becomes softer over 8 to 12 weeks. Repeat every 5 to 6 months for durable slimming.
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Not during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Botulinum toxin is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in patients with neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis.
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Photograph before and at six weeks
Standardised front and three-quarter photos at baseline and review give you an honest read on how much the shape has changed.
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Red flags after treatment
Severe facial swelling, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelid, or breathing difficulty needs urgent review the same day.
Your treatment record
Your masseter botox record in four parts. Read the last one first.
- 01 Header
Product, batch and total dose
Which toxin was used (Botox, Azzalure or Bocouture), the batch number for traceability, and total units delivered per side.
- 02 Technique
Points, depth and safe zone
Number of injection points per side, depth of injection, and confirmation that the safe zone was mapped to protect the smile.
- 03 Findings
Baseline muscle bulk and symmetry
Palpation findings at maximum clench, any pre-existing asymmetry, and photographs stored on the clinic record.
- 04 Impression
Review date and next-treatment window
Read this first: your six-week review date and when to book your next treatment, typically at 5 to 6 months.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Aesthetic masseter botox is generally self-pay. Where treatment is for medically confirmed bruxism or TMJ pain, some insurers cover selected cases.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about masseter botox.
Quick answers on cost, duration, bruxism, side effects and the London panel we work with.
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Does masseter botox actually slim the jaw?
Yes, over 8 to 12 weeks. Repeatedly injected botulinum toxin type A relaxes the hypertrophic masseter muscle, which then reduces in bulk from disuse atrophy. The lower face softens into a more oval outline. Bony width does not change, so if the widening is skeletal rather than muscular, filler or surgery is the better tool.
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How much does masseter botox cost in London?
Roughly £280 to £550 for bilateral treatment, and £180 to £350 for a single side. A consultation is £75 to £150 where charged separately. Prices depend on brand, unit count and the injectors experience. We come back with firm figures across two or three London providers within one working day.
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How long does it last and how often do I need it?
Onset at 2 to 4 weeks, peak effect at 6 to 8 weeks, and duration of 4 to 6 months. Most patients repeat every 5 to 6 months. After two or three cycles many need less frequent top-ups as the muscle stays smaller between treatments.
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Will it help my bruxism, TMJ pain and headaches?
Frequently yes. By relaxing the overactive masseter, botox reduces night-time grinding force, TMJ loading and the tension-type headaches that come from constant clenching. It works best combined with a custom night splint from your dentist, which protects the teeth while the toxin settles the muscle.
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What are the risks I should know about?
Bruising at the injection points, transient headache, asymmetry from over or under-dosing, unwanted smile change if injected too anteriorly, and mild chewing weakness with high doses. All are uncommon in experienced hands and reversible within weeks to months.
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Which London providers do you work with?
For masseter botox we introduce patients to a small panel of clinics with a proven caseload, including Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, PHI Clinic, Dr Wassim Taktouk, Waterhouse Young and Young LDN. Which one we suggest depends on your budget, location and whether you also want dental input for bruxism.
Ready when you are
Send a photo and we come back with a plan.
A note on your symptoms, a couple of photos of your jaw at rest and clenched, and we introduce you to the right London injector within a working day.
Related treatments and conditions
Looking for something else?
-
Anti-wrinkle botox injections
Forehead, glabella and crows-feet in the same appointment.
Learn more -
Botox for chronic migraine
PREEMPT protocol botox for chronic migraine sufferers.
Learn more -
Lip fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers for lip volume and shape.
Learn more -
Chin augmentation and genioplasty
Filler or surgical options where the widening is bony.
Learn more -
Bruxism
The full condition guide - splints, botox and dental care.
Learn more -
TMJ dysfunction
Jaw joint pain, clicking and locking - assessment and treatment.
Learn more