What If Your Face Looks the Same After Square Jaw Botox?

The Story of Parotid Gland Botox

Many people have tried Botox to address their concerns about a square jaw.

However, there is a phrase I hear in the clinic more often than you might think:

‘I got square jaw Botox, but my face looks exactly the same.’

When this happens, there is a specific anatomical structure we need to check.

That is the parotid gland (the salivary gland under the ear).

Masseter Muscle vs. Parotid Gland

The reasons a face appears wide are more varied than you might expect.

The most common causes include:

Masseter muscle (square jaw muscle)

Parotid gland

Fat

Skin sagging

Among these, the masseter muscle and the parotid gland are often confused.

Characteristics of the Masseter Muscle

It bulges out when you clench your teeth.

It feels hard to the touch.

It is developed at the lower part of the jaw angle.

Characteristics of the Parotid Gland

It bulges right below the ear.

It feels soft to the touch.

It makes the back of the jaw look wide.

Therefore, for some people,

the face may appear large not because of a square jaw, but due to the salivary glands.

The Parotid Gland

The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland in our body.

Its location is:

In front of the ear

Below the ear

It is situated in the area behind the jaw.

The role of this gland is to produce and secrete saliva.

However, depending on the individual,

If the salivary gland is naturally large,

If you have a constitution where the glands swell easily,

Or if you have a habit of excessive chewing,

the area below the ear can appear prominent.

As a result, the face might:

Look wider,

Appear square-shaped, or

Have a dull, undefined jawline.

In such cases, it is likely to be parotid gland enlargement.

I see many patients with these characteristics in the clinic:

✔ The area below the ear is always bulging.

✔ There is little to no change after getting square jaw Botox.

✔ The width of the back of the face is broad.

✔ The area under the jaw swells easily in the morning.

In particular, it is common for both the masseter muscle and the salivary gland to be developed together.

Therefore, correcting both simultaneously results in a much more natural change in the facial line.

How Parotid Gland Botox Works

Botox can reduce not only muscle activity but also the secretory function of the salivary glands.

When Botox is injected:

1️⃣ Saliva secretion decreases

2️⃣ Salivary gland activity decreases

3️⃣ Salivary gland volume decreases

As these changes occur, the facial line can appear noticeably slimmer.

In fact, Botox is a medication used for:

Treating excessive drooling (sialorrhea)

Treating salivary gland enlargement.

Effects and Duration

Typically:

Changes begin in 1 to 2 weeks.

Maximum effect is reached around 2 months.

The duration is approximately 3 to 6 months.

With repeated treatments, the size of the salivary gland gradually decreases.

However, individual results may vary.

Recommended Complementary Treatments

The reason a face looks large is rarely due to just one factor.

Therefore, the following treatments are often combined:

✔ Square jaw Botox

✔ Jawline contouring injections

✔ Ultrasound lifting (HIFU)

✔ Skin elasticity treatments

In particular, the combination of square jaw Botox + parotid gland Botox

can be highly effective in naturally refining the lower facial line.

Summary

What you thought was a square jaw might actually be an enlarged salivary gland.

So, if you feel your face looks the same even after getting square jaw Botox,

it is a good idea to have your parotid glands checked as well.

Since the causes vary depending on your facial structure,

it is crucial to determine the treatment plan after an accurate diagnosis.