NEED TO KNOW
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Bailey Turner has struggled with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) for many years.
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In 2023, she noticed social media discussions about using masseter Botox for “TMJ relief and facial slimming.”
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However, following the injections, she experienced an unexpected change in her smile.
For years, Bailey Turner faced discomfort due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
“I carry a lot of tension in my masseter muscles,” Turner, 27, explains. The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull, and issues like grinding or clenching can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and more.
Until 2023, she thought there wasn’t much she could do about the pain. That changed when she started seeing various social media posts about masseter Botox aimed at TMJ relief and facial slimming. This caught her interest enough to give it a try.
“I’ve always had TMJ pain, and the possibility of pain relief along with some facial slimming seemed appealing,” she admits.
After conducting a bit more research, Turner decided to go ahead with it. While various factors contribute to TMJ, masseter Botox is often mentioned as a potential treatment for diminishing jaw tension.
The entire appointment was quick and simple, and Turner noted that “the recovery process was pretty minimal.”
“I had a bit of bruising but no actual pain,” she recalls.
A week later, she noticed a change in her smile, but wasn’t overly excited about the outcome right away.
“While my jaw pain disappeared completely, which was fantastic, my smile felt, well, frozen,” she shares. “I noticed a considerable reduction in jaw clenching and pain, but it affected my ability to smile and laugh freely.”
Turner recently posted a TikTok showcasing her results, humorously noting in the caption that she “left with a frozen face lol.”
She also included before-and-after photos illustrating how the procedure altered her smile. In the before images, she appeared to smile effortlessly, but afterward, her expression seemed more restrained.
Commenters shared their own experiences with similar outcomes post-procedure, while some appreciated her insights that made them think twice about the treatment. However, she reassured that her smile eventually returned to normal.
While pleased with the reduction in TMJ pain, Turner admits there are a few things she’d reconsider.
“I would recommend consulting with someone who specializes in masseter Botox,” she advises.
“I don’t think my injector was truly an expert in this area,” she shares. “If I could revisit the decision, I’d have started with a smaller dosage. I’m not sure I’d do it again; looking frozen for six months was quite an experience!”
