When I told my friends I was getting Botox, I was met with a few raised eyebrows.
At 24, with a face that still gets me mistaken for a teenager, it sounded like a cosmetic choice. It wasn’t.
I don’t know exactly when it started, but in recent years I’ve caught myself constantly tensing my jaw and grinding my teeth – at work, in the evenings, even in my sleep.
I’d wake up with a headache, my jaw already aching before the day had begun.
It got to the point where my subconscious habit was getting on my boyfriend’s nerves. He started shouting ‘jaw!’ whenever I was being particularly loud.
I tried everything: stress balls, holding my mouth open, gua sha for lymphatic drainage and chewing through endless packets of gum. Nothing worked.
After hearing horror stories about people cracking their teeth from clenching so hard, I started looking for something that would actually make it stop.
That’s when I came across masseter Botox – a procedure where Botox, most commonly used as an anti-wrinkle treatment, is injected into the jaw muscles to relax them.
A plastic surgeon drew the incision points on my jawline before injecting the Botox
The masseter muscles are rectangular muscles on either side of the jaw, responsible for chewing. In my case, they had become unusually strong after years of clenching.
Botox works by temporarily relaxing muscles by blocking nerve signals, preventing them from contracting. Results typically last three to six months before a top-up is needed.
Reduction in jaw tension can begin within the first two weeks, with full results developing between six and twelve weeks.
For me, it felt like an easy decision. I’ve never had an issue with needles, and the idea that a quick, non-surgical procedure could relieve the constant pain in my jaw was hard to ignore.
I was invited to try the treatment at The Aesthetics Doctor clinic in Mayfair, London, where sessions start from £350 and typically require 25 to 40 units per side.
In comparison, in the UK, the cost of dental crowns for broken teeth typically ranges from £600 to £1,800.
There, I met Dr Katerina Kyprianou, who talked through my reasons for wanting the procedure before examining my jaw – pressing along the muscle as I clenched and released.
She confirmed that I had very strong masseter muscles (not quite the compliment it sounds like) and said the treatment would likely bring some relief.
I was given a medium dose of Botox, as a lower dose was unlikely to be effective in my case.
Teeth grinding – also known as bruxism – is the involuntary clenching or gnashing of teeth, often caused by stress, anxiety or sleep disorders
Bruxism can lead to worn-down or broken teeth, which can cause increased sensitivity
I felt a sharp pain when the needle went in, but it was no worse than a routine injection at the doctor’s.
Masseter Botox is often referred to as a ‘lunchtime treatment’ because it’s quick and non-surgical, usually taking no more than half an hour.
I was able to stop by the clinic after work and was home eating dinner by 8pm. I was relieved to hear that – unlike when I previously had injections for dental work – I’d be able to eat as normal straight away.
It took around three days before I noticed I wasn’t clenching my jaw as much, and by the two-week mark, the pain had significantly eased.
I still occasionally feel the urge to clench, but it no longer happens subconsciously.
Any changes to my face shape have been subtle, with a gradual softening rather than a dramatic visible difference.
I’m currently two weeks in and interested to see how the results continue to develop.
The effects are temporary, as the muscle gradually returns to its previous size over time, so I plan to return for a repeat treatment in three to six months.
For now, I’m just relieved to have found something that finally eased the constant tension I didn’t even realise I was carrying.