MASS appeal

Think injectables are just for your appearance? Think again

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If you’re in the market for a crease-free, fresh complexion, Botox is a common port of call. Neuromodulators (most commonly known by the brand name Botox, short for botulinum toxin) have long been relied upon by beauty lovers looking to iron out wrinkles, but there’s a lot more that the popular injectable can do — and it’s in its muscle-relaxing characteristics that its most potent power lies.

Far from being simply a vanity measure, botulinum toxin, when injected into the lower facial muscle, can ease tension headaches, earache and jaw pain, and correct TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), says dentist Dr Tara Francis, who administers neuromodulators to more than 100 patients a year in her clinic in London.

These injections along your jaw are known as masseter Botox, named after the muscle found there, running from the cheekbone (zygomatic arch) to the angle of the jaw (mandible). They can also ease teeth-grinding (or bruxism), which can affect the appearance of your smile by flattening your teeth, as well as causing tooth sensitivity, cracks and gum recession.

“In severe cases, the face can take on a squarer appearance due to overdeveloped masseter muscles as a result of teeth-grinding,” Tara adds.

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