Face slimming and chiseled facial contours are the new aesthetic everyone is going for. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Chrissy Teigen stand out for their sharp cheekbones that many believe are a result of the buccal fat removal procedure. Apart from the surgical solution of the buccal fat removal, another top-notch way of getting a slim and contoured face, but without going under the knife, is masseter botox. If you are on a quest to achieve a sharp jawline and slim face, stick around for our ultimate guide on the bichectomy or buccal fat removal vs. masseter botox. In this blog, we will highlight the difference between the two and what you should expect from each of them.
🪡 What is a Bichectomy? Explore the Surgical Approach
The buccal fat removal, also known as bichectomy, is a surgical technique used to remove unwanted fat from the face, specifically the fat located between the cheekbones and the jawline. Many who have a round and chubby face opt for this surgical treatment to make their cheekbones look more accentuated. Within this procedure, the buccal fat pads, which sit under our cheekbones, are removed.
The surgeon begins by having a consultation with the patient to understand their goals and perform a medical analysis. During the procedure, the surgeon uses anesthesia to numb the cheeks and makes the incision inside the cheeks. Next, the buccal fat pad becomes visible to the surgeon, and with the help of forceps, the surgeon will then remove some or all of the buccal fat pad. Lastly, the surgeon uses dissolvable sutures to close the incision and will then carry out the same procedure on the other cheek.
🔴 The buccal fat removal procedure does not cause any scarring due to the incisions being inside the cheek. Furthermore, the surgeon only takes about 45 minutes to perform this procedure.
💉 What is Masseter Botox? Learn About this Non-Surgical Injectable
The muscles that are located on the sides of our faces are called the masseter muscles. These are the muscles that help us chew and extend from our cheekbones to our jawbones. Botox is often injected into the masseter muscle to help with issues such as bruxism or teeth grinding, and even clenching. Since Botox is used to relax muscles, when injected into the masseter muscles, it can paralyze them. Resultingly, this can result in reshaping the face, making it appear slimmer and more V-line.
Often referred to as jaw botox as well, the masseter botox or botulinum toxin is used to paralyze the masseter muscle. This occurs due to the Botox blocking the muscle’s nerve signals and preventing its movement. Resultingly, the masseter muscles become weaker and gradually shrink. There are many reasons why people get masseter botox. It can help get rid of the issue of jaw clenching, which helps eliminate tension and pain in the jaw. It also accentuates the jawline, which can result in changes to the shape of the face by making it softer.
🌟 A Comparison Table
Let’s have a detailed look at how the buccal fat removal procedure and masseter botox work, and other details regarding these treatments.
| Buccal Fat Removal | Masseter Botox | |
| Procedure Type | Surgical | Non-surgical |
| How It Works | The surgeon makes an incision and then removes a certain amount of the buccal fat pads. | The surgeon gradually injects the Botox into various sites in the masseter muscles to paralyze them. |
| Target Area | Buccal fat pads | Masseter muscles |
| Permanance | Permananet | Temporary results (only last a few months) |
| Procedure Duration | 45 minutes to an hour. | About 10 minutes. |
| Recovery | Long-term recovery may take 3 to 6 months. | Little to no downtime. |
👩⚕️ Who’s the Ideal Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
The following individuals make ideal candidates for the bichectomy procedure:
- Individuals who have chubby cheeks and want to slim them down.
- People who have fuller faces because of buccal fat, but not due to weight gain.
- Those who are at a stable weight.
- Individuals who have good skin elasticity and do not suffer from sagging skin.
- Individuals who desire facial contouring.
- Those who are realistic about the results of this procedure.
- People who are non-smokers.
- Those who are at a stable weight.
- Individuals who want a slimmer and more contoured face.
- Patients who are 18 and over.
- Those who have naturally thin faces may not be suitable candidates for this procedure since it will cause them to have a more hollow or gaunt look.
👩⚕️ Who is the Ideal Candidate for Masseter Botox?
- The ideal should have a square jawline, which is the result of hypertrophic masseter muscles.
- Those who suffer from teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching.
- People who have facial asymmetry due to one side of the jaw being more pronounced than the other.
- Those who do not smoke.
- Individuals who do not have a wide jawbone.
- Those who have good skin elasticity and are not suffering from extreme jowling.
- People who want their faces to become slimmer by narrowing the jaw.
- Those who want a permanent solution for their round face and fuller cheeks.
💉 Which One Should You Opt For?
Those who are looking for a long-term solution for their full cheeks can opt for buccal fat removal, as the results are permanent. However, those who want a temporary and non-surgical treatment to slim down their face can go with masseter botox. Moreover, people especially suffering from TMJ pain can choose masseter botox as it can help relieve this discomfort.
One thing to note is that getting masseter Botox is an ongoing treatment and will require multiple sessions to maintain the results. On the other hand, the buccal fat removal procedure provides a long-lasting outcome.
The only way to know which one of the treatments is ideal for you is through a professional consultation with the surgeons at the Estherian Clinic. You can book your consultation by reaching out to our team.
