"My lower face looks heavy — is salivary gland Botox the answer?"
"If you reduce the salivary glands, won't it be uncomfortable because saliva doesn't come out?"
These are the first things people looking into salivary gland Botox because of their lower jawline tend to ask.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're getting ready to open our doors in Myeongdong soon, and since so many people have been asking about salivary gland Botox ahead of our opening, we wanted to put together this overview for your information first.
The worry about a lower face that looks bulky — we completely understand it.
That said, the reason a lower face looks heavy isn't always the salivary glands, so let's start by sorting out that distinction.
Salivary Gland Botox Is an Approach That Affects the Glands' Activity and Volume
Let me start with the definition.
Salivary gland Botox refers to a method where botulinum toxin is injected into the salivary gland located in front of the ear — the parotid gland — to affect that gland's activity and volume.
The parotid gland is one of the large glands that make saliva, and when this area is well-developed, it can lead to an impression where the sides of the lower jawline look fuller.
When the toxin temporarily eases the gland's secretory activity, the volume of the gland decreases a little and you can expect a change in the impression of the sides of the lower jawline.
That said, let me mention in advance that the degree of change and the point at which you feel it differ depending on how developed the gland is and from person to person.
The Reason a Lower Face Looks Heavy Isn't a Single Thing
Let me point out the most important part here.
The reason a lower face looks heavy or wide isn't the salivary glands alone; in many cases bone, fat, and muscle are each intertwined differently.
It could be because of a skeletal structure where the jawbone itself sits wide, or it could look that way because fat has settled in the cheeks or under the chin.
If the side of the jaw bulges when you clench, it may be a case of a developed chewing muscle, and if the front of the ear is full, the salivary gland may be involved.
So if you don't first distinguish which factor plays a bigger role in the impression, the result may differ from what you expected.
If the salivary glands aren't the main cause, you absolutely must be aware that salivary gland Botox alone may make it hard to get the change you'd hope for.
The Effect Doesn't Set in One Go — It Carries On Temporarily
The effect of salivary gland Botox isn't a permanent change; it's a temporary flow that stays for a certain period and then gradually fades.
As the action of the toxin that went into the gland wears off over time, the gland's activity gradually returns too, so many people continue it while watching the flow at set intervals.
Also, it tends to take some time for the effect to settle in, so you don't need to feel impatient just because you don't see a change right after the treatment.
The duration varies with the injection site, the dose, and the individual's metabolism, so it's good to keep in mind that there's individual variation.
Know the Precautions Related to Chewing and Saliva in Advance
The salivary glands are an area connected to making saliva and to the process of chewing and swallowing food, so it's good to know the precautions related to that in advance.
Since it's an approach that reduces the glands' secretion, there can be a temporary feeling of a dry mouth or a change where you feel there's less saliva.
The large salivary glands are divided across several places, so even if the activity on one side decreases, the other glands compensate to some degree — but the degree you feel varies from person to person.
Also, if the injection site or depth is off, it can temporarily affect the movement of chewing food or your expression, so it's an area where the delicacy of placing it precisely matters.
It's good to keep it in mind together that fine bruising may briefly show at the injection site too.
People Who Should Take an Extra Moment to Consider
Salivary gland Botox isn't a treatment recommended equally for every lower-face concern.
As mentioned earlier, if the lower-face impression comes from bone, fat, or the chewing muscle, this approach of targeting the salivary glands alone may make it hard to get the change you'd hope for.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a neuromuscular condition, or if you've had an allergic reaction to botulinum toxin, it's best to check your condition first and then decide whether to proceed.
Also, if you tend to have trouble swallowing or frequently have a dry mouth, it's safer to look into that part first before deciding whether to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. My lower face looks wide — will salivary gland Botox slim it down?
A. The reason a lower face looks heavy or wide isn't the salivary glands alone; in many cases bone, fat, and the chewing muscle are each intertwined. If a full impression at the front of the ear is connected to the salivary gland, you can expect a change through an approach that affects the gland's volume. That said, if the skeleton, fat, or muscle is the main cause, salivary gland Botox alone may make it hard to get the change you'd hope for. So distinguishing first which factor plays a bigger role in the impression matters, and it's good to keep in mind together that the degree of change varies from person to person.
Q. If you reduce the salivary glands, won't it be uncomfortable because saliva doesn't come out?
A. The large salivary glands are divided across several places, so even if the activity of one gland decreases, the other glands compensate to some degree. So rather than saliva barely coming out, there can be a temporary feeling of a slightly dry mouth or a change where you feel there's less saliva. That said, the degree you feel varies from person to person, and if you've had trouble with swallowing or a dry mouth in the past, it's safer to look into that part first before deciding whether to proceed.
Q. Does the effect show right away, and how long does it last?
A. With salivary gland Botox, it tends to take some time for the effect to settle in, so you may not see a change right after the treatment. The action of the toxin that went into the gland isn't permanent and gradually wears off over time, so many people continue it while watching the flow at set intervals. The duration varies with the injection site, the dose, and the individual's metabolism, so it's good to keep in mind that there's individual variation.
In Closing
If we sum up today's content in one line, it's this.
Salivary gland Botox is an approach that affects the glands' activity and volume, and since not every lower face is because of the glands, distinguishing the cause comes first.
If the sides of your lower jawline have been bothering you, it's fine to start by looking into whether that impression is connected to the salivary glands. Just please keep in mind that the degree of change and the duration vary from person to person.
This piece isn't one that recommends a treatment; it's an informational article we put together for your information as we prepare to open.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading this long piece. This was Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article meant to provide general medical information, and the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)