JAW TENSION + MASSETER TREATMENT
TARGETED TREATMENT FOR CLENCHING + MUSCLE-RELATED JAW TENSION
For clients with overactive masseter muscles, targeted botulinum toxin injections may help reduce muscle activity and ease the feeling of tension associated with clenching or overuse. Treatment begins with an assessment to determine whether your symptoms appear muscle-related and whether this type of treatment is appropriate for you. Because jaw discomfort can have many causes, some concerns may require evaluation by a dentist, oral-facial pain specialist, or other healthcare provider.
Before Your Appointment
Medical Clearance
Before treatment, all clients must complete a medical evaluation to review health history and confirm that treatment is appropriate. At Selah, medical clearance is renewed annually and should be updated with any significant changes to your health, medications, or medical history. A current clearance must be on file before treatment.
Healthy + Bare Skin
Please arrive with clean, makeup-free skin and no active irritation in the treatment area. If you have an active infection, rash, irritation, open skin, or are feeling acutely unwell, please contact Selah before your appointment. Treatment may need to be rescheduled to ensure it can be performed safely.
Plan Ahead
Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising can occur after treatment. If you have an important event, photos, or travel coming up, plan your appointment with enough time for temporary side effects to resolve and your results to settle. When possible, avoid scheduling treatment immediately before a special occasion.
At Your Appointment
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We’ll review your symptoms and evaluate the movement, strength, and size of your masseter muscles before determining whether treatment is appropriate.
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Small amounts of medication are placed strategically into the appropriate jaw muscles. Treatment itself is generally brief.
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Dose and placement are based on your anatomy, muscle strength, symptoms, and treatment goals rather than a standard formula.
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Selah uses only authentic, FDA-approved neuromodulator products obtained through trusted, authorized sources. Products are handled, stored, and administered according to appropriate clinical standards, with safety and thoughtful treatment planning at the center of every visit.
After Your Appointment
When To Contact Selah
Let us know about unexpected or significant weakness, difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, pronounced asymmetry, or anything that feels unusual.
The First 4 Hours
Hands Off
Avoid rubbing, massaging, or applying firm pressure to treated areas for the rest of the day.
Stay Upright
Remain upright for 4-6 hours after treatment. Keep your head up. Do not lie down, nap or recline.
Move Your Face Normally
You can talk, smile and make normal facial expressions. You do not need to over exercise your muscles.
Expect a Little Redness or Swelling
Small bumps, redness, tenderness, or mild bruising at injection sites can happen and typically improve quickly.
The First 24 Hours
Avoid Strenuous Activity and Heat
Avoid vigorous exercise, hot yoga, saunas, steam rooms, and other high-heat activities until the following day.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours because it can thin your blood and worsen bruising.
Be Gentle with Skincare
Wash your face gently with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Avoid scrubbing, exfoliating, or using harsh products on the treated areas.
Hold Off on Makeup
Avoid applying makeup directly over the injection sites for the first few hours to reduce the risk of irritation or introducing bacteria. If your skin is especially sensitive, consider waiting until the following day.
The Next Few Weeks
Give Your Results Time to Settle
You may begin noticing changes within a few days, but allow up to 14 days for your full result.
Muscle relaxation develops gradually. You may notice changes in jaw tension or muscle activity over the following days to weeks rather than immediately.
Contact Selah if you have questions, unexpected symptoms, or concerns about your treatment.
Your Questions, Answered
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Not every form of jaw or TMJ pain is caused by overactive muscles. Botulinum toxin may be considered for certain muscle-related symptoms, but it is not a first-line treatment for all temporomandibular disorders. An assessment is needed to determine whether it is appropriate for you.
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Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces activity in targeted jaw muscles. For appropriately selected patients, reducing excessive muscle contraction may lessen tension associated with clenching or overuse.
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Neuromodulators such as Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, and Daxxify® all work by temporarily reducing targeted muscle activity, but they differ in formulation, dosing, onset, and duration.
There isn’t one product that is best for everyone. The right choice depends on your treatment goals, anatomy, previous experience, and how your body responds. If more than one option is available at Selah, we’ll talk through the differences and choose the product that makes the most sense for you.
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Reducing masseter activity can sometimes lead to a softer or narrower appearance of the lower face over time. Any aesthetic change depends on your anatomy and muscle size and should be considered secondary to the treatment goal.
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You may notice a temporary change in muscle strength, particularly with tougher or chewy foods. Dosing is individualized to reduce excessive muscle activity while maintaining normal function.
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Results vary by person, muscle strength, dose, and treatment history. If treatment is continued, timing will be determined based on your response rather than an automatic schedule.