Faces with a perfect shape

 But is it really that easy to achieve a V-shaped face?

There are many ways to reshape your face, from invasive to non-invasive. How effective they are also depends on a lot of factors – the method used, how skilled the doctor is, and how well your body responds to the treatment. 

First of all, you need to find out what’s causing your face to be wider than you want it to be. It could be your bone structure, your fat |deposit or your muscles. If you have double chins or a lot of fat in your cheeks, the best way to reshape your face is to reduce the fat and firm up the skin. 

Again, there are many treatments to consider, from injections to surgery. If your face is wide because of the jaw muscles, you can consider botulinum injection to make the muscles smaller. If the problem is your bone structure, your doctor might recommend surgery. 

Typically, Thai women have strong and thick jaw (masseter) muscles. Some are born with them, others develop them from such habits as chewing hard. Injecting botulinum toxin into the muscles to make them smaller can help make the face appear V-shaped.

While botulinum toxin is a popular treatment, it doesn’t mean that you can get it anywhere. It should only be administered by skilled doctors, as incorrect use can lead to a wide array of problems, from an out-of-shape face to allergic reaction resulting from contamination. 

When the toxin is injected into your face, the doctor should be experienced enough to be able to make your face symmetric. Some people have a naturally asymmetric face – and the doctor should be able to solve that by adjusting the amount of botulinum and the area of injection accordingly. 

Also, the masseter is primarily responsible for our chewing action. If over-injected, the substance can interfere with the ability to chew. Worse, the facial expression and appearance will appear odd. For example, your smile might look unnatural. Although botulinum only lasts around six months, no one wants to walk around with an odd face for that long. 

However, it takes about a month to see the full effects of the injection, so do not worry if you don’t see any change in the first week. If you are not satisfied with the results, in the follow-up session with your doctor, you should point out what you are not happy with. 

After the treatment, your doctor might advise you to change your chewing habit in order to prevent the jaw muscles from enlarging too much or too soon. Avoid negative personal habits like chewing tougher meats or crunching ice. They are not only bad for your jaw muscles, but also ruin your teeth.

 

THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD is a|member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions |for her to [email protected]