Temporalis Botox involves injecting Botox into the temporalis muscle at the temple to reduce excessive muscle tension.
Unlike masseter Botox, which targets the jawline muscles, temporalis Botox targets the muscle at the temples to relieve headache-related tension.
The two treatments may be combined, but their purposes and target areas differ, so the choice should suit your condition.
➊What is temporalis Botox?
It involves injecting Botox into the temporalis muscles on both sides of the head to reduce excessive tension and movement.
The temporalis helps close the jaw and chew. It is often overdeveloped in people who clench or grind their teeth.
Reducing muscle strength may help relieve tension and pain associated with chewing habits.
I sometimes discuss this treatment with patients who report temple pain or headaches.
The temporalis is also associated with jaw-joint function, and excessive tension can contribute to headaches or temporomandibular discomfort.
Its distinguishing feature is a focus on reducing functional discomfort rather than primarily cosmetic goals.
➋How is it different from masseter Botox?
Masseter Botox is injected into the masseter, which contributes to an angular jawline. Temporalis Botox is injected into the temporalis at the temples.
Although both use Botox, the muscle location and purpose differ.
An enlarged masseter can make the jaw look broad and angular, while an enlarged temporalis may make the temples prominent or be associated with headaches and teeth grinding.
| Comparison | Temporalis Botox | Masseter Botox |
|---|---|---|
| Target area | Temples (temporalis) | Jawline (masseter) |
| Main purpose | Relieving headaches and teeth grinding; refining the temple contour | Slimming the jawline |
| Noticeable change | Reduced pain and tension are often noticed first | A slimmer-looking jawline |
“Temporalis and masseter Botox use the same principle, but target different muscles for very different purposes.”
➌Which is right for me?
The starting point is the location of your discomfort, not the name of the procedure.
If you are concerned about a broad, angular jaw, masseter Botox is the first option to consider.
If you clench your teeth, have aching temples, or experience frequent tension headaches, temporalis Botox may be more relevant.
The two procedures are sometimes combined.
People with significant teeth grinding often have both enlarged masseter and temporalis muscles, so we assess overall facial muscle balance before deciding whether to combine them.
- ✓Jawline slimming: Focus on masseter Botox
- ✓Temple pain or teeth grinding: Focus on temporalis Botox
- ✓Both concerns: Decide on combined treatment after consultation
➍When do effects appear, and how long do they last?
Changes do not appear immediately after injection.
They are often noticed over about 1–2 weeks as muscle tension gradually eases.
Reports also describe headaches or discomfort from grinding gradually easing over this period.
Duration is generally reported to be around 3–4 months, but varies with muscle activity and metabolism.
People with strong grinding or clenching habits may feel that results last less time because muscle activity and development return more quickly.
| Time | Changes |
|---|---|
| Within 1 week | Muscle tension begins easing gradually, without major visible change |
| Around 2 weeks | Reduced pain and tension become noticeable |
| 3–4 months | Effects maintained; repeat treatment considered afterward |
➎Side effects and precautions
Temporary swelling, bruising, or mild pain may occur at injection sites and usually settles within a few days.
Rarely, facial expressions may feel somewhat unnatural or chewing strength may feel weaker, so avoiding hard foods initially is advisable.
The temples are close to blood vessels, making precise placement and dosing by a clinician who understands the anatomy essential.
Repeated excessive doses can cause muscle atrophy and worsen temple hollowing, so careful dosing is especially important if the temples are already hollow.
➏When I recommend temporalis Botox—and when I do not
I recommend considering it for people with clenching or grinding habits who have chronic tension around the temples or headaches.
For these patients, reducing muscle strength alone often makes daily discomfort substantially more manageable.
If the temples are already markedly hollow or volume has declined with age, a volume-restoring procedure may instead be considered first.
Although Botox is a relatively simple procedure from the clinic's perspective, I explain first that another approach may offer a better result depending on the patient's facial condition.
We assess muscle development and overall facial balance together during consultation (individual results vary).
“Temporalis Botox reduces muscle strength; it does not restore volume to the temples.”
QFrequently asked questions
They target different muscles, and combined treatment is not uncommon.
However, overall muscle balance must be assessed, so it is safer to determine the dose and sequence during consultation.
Repeated excessive doses can worsen hollowing through muscle atrophy.
For patients with existing hollowing, we therefore consider dose adjustments or combining other procedures.
They are generally reported to last about 3–4 months, with variation according to muscle activity and metabolism.
Rather than changing immediately, symptoms often improve as muscle tension gradually eases over 1–2 weeks.
However, it does not work for every headache; the cause matters.
Masseter Botox is considered first for an angular jawline; temporalis Botox is considered first for temple pain or teeth grinding.
An accurate recommendation follows a clinical assessment of your condition.
We assess muscle tension and overall facial balance during consultation, then design the procedure.
The consultation explains the dose and injection areas suited to your condition (individual results vary).
Temporalis Botox is not intended to change the face, but to give excessively tense muscles a chance to rest.
By reducing excessive tension in the temple muscles, the procedure aims to ease headache-related discomfort and refine the temple contour.
If you would like to know which procedure suits your symptoms, please have an assessment at LUNN Clinic.
Dr. Park Hyungkwon, Dermatologist and Director of LUNN Clinic
As disclosed under Article 56 of the Korean Medical Service Act, Botox may cause swelling, bruising, temporarily unnatural facial expressions, or reduced chewing function.
Treatment and procedure results may vary according to individual condition.
This column is intended to provide medical information.
