⚠️ Masseter Botox and Peanut-Shaped Faces – Why It Can Make Your Cheeks Look Sunken

Masseter Botox is one of the most popular contouring injections because it offers quick, affordable face-slimming.But did you know there are facial types that should not get this treatment?

If you have a peanut-shaped face, Masseter Botox can cause cheek hollowing, sharper bone contrast, and an overall more unbalanced side profile.

For readers searching specifically about masseter Botox peanut-shaped face concerns, it’s important to understand that reducing jaw muscle volume can intensify midface–lower face imbalance.

Here’s why—and what to consider instead.

Why Masseter Botox Can Be Risky for a Peanut-Shaped Face

What is a peanut-shaped face?

This facial type shows:

• Broad or prominent side cheekbones

• Narrower lower face

• A curved line from the cheekbone down to the jaw

Because the upper-mid area of the face is already projected, anything that reduces the lower-face volume can exaggerate this contrast.

How Botox affects this face shape

Masseter Botox reduces the bulk of the jaw muscle.

For people with a peanut-shaped face, this can:

• Make the jaw appear even narrower

• Emphasize side cheekbones

• Create the illusion of a “sunken” lower cheek

• Cause cheek hollowing, especially under the zygomatic arch

• Make the face seem more uneven from the front and side

As the masseter muscle becomes thinner, the face may not look slimmer—just sharper and more unbalanced.

Cheek Hollowing: The Most Common Side Effect

Why hollowing happens

The masseter helps support the tissue under the cheekbone.When it shrinks too much:

• The buccal area may collapse inward

• The contrast between cheekbone and jaw grows stronger

• The face looks like a “peanut shell”—full on top, narrow below

This is why many patients report:

• Their cheekbones suddenly look bigger

• Their smile looks “sunken”

• Their jawline doesn’t look slim—just weak

Who Should Avoid Masseter Botox?

You should be cautious if you:

• Already have strongly projected side cheekbones

• Have a narrow lower face compared to the midface

• Had previous jaw-slimming procedures

• Experienced cheek hollowing from fillers or weight loss

• Want a “V-line” but have minimal jaw volume to begin with

In these cases, Botox can make the imbalance look even more noticeable.

Who Does Benefit From Masseter Botox?

This treatment works very well if you:

Clench your jaw or grind your teeth

If your masseter visibly bulges when you bite down, Botox can relax the muscle safely.

Have a square jaw shape caused by muscle hypertrophy

A strongly developed masseter creates horizontal width.Reducing this muscle achieves a softer, slimmer outline without bone-related issues.

If your jaw bulges outward when you clench, you are an ideal candidate.

Better Alternatives for a Peanut-Shaped Face

Instead of slimming the jaw, the priority is balancing the cheekbone-to-jaw ratio.

Consider these options

• Volume correction with subtle filler beneath the cheekbone

• Skin tightening devices (e.g., Ultherapy, Thermage)

• Buccal fat contouring only when carefully assessed

• Midface reshaping rather than lower-face shrinking

The goal is real symmetry, not removing volume where it’s already lacking.

Final Recommendation

Masseter Botox is excellent for muscle-type square jaws, but if you naturally have a peanut-shaped face, results may include:

• Cheek hollowing

• Enhanced cheekbone prominence

• A narrower, imbalanced lower face

Because of this, careful evaluation is essential before proceeding.

If you’re unsure whether your facial shape is suitable, always consult an experienced specialist who can analyze bone structure, soft tissue volume, and muscle activity.

💎 Want Expert Guidance Before You Decide?

If you want to know whether Masseter Botox is right for your facial shape,you can connect with a certified Korean dermatologist through Korea Plastic Surgery.

💬 100% free consultation – patients never pay us.We help match you with clinics experienced in complex facial balance assessment.