An aesthetically pleasing female face is traditionally described as an inverted cone, heart-shaped, or an inverted triangle. Whatever geometric analogy is used, the unifying feature is a midface diameter that is significantly wider than the lower third. This creates the quintessential feminine contour: high, defined cheekbones paired with a gradual tapering into a slim, sculpted jawline—as seen in icons like Rihanna, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Campbell, and Bar Refaeli.
In contrast, a square or wide jawline broadens the lower third of the face, imparting a heavier, more masculine appearance. Even on celebrated women such as Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston, or Angelina Jolie, prominent lateral fullness above the jaw angle can create a broader lower face—often leading to clever styling with long hair or specific camera angles to soften the jawline.
Lateral fullness above the mandibular angle is most commonly caused by hypertrophy (enlargement) of the masseter muscles—the primary muscles of mastication located at the lower sides of the cheeks. Factors contributing to masseter hypertrophy include:
Asymmetrical chewing (due to dental imbalances or temporomandibular joint/TMJ disorders)
Habitual gum chewing
Nocturnal teeth grinding and jaw clenching (bruxism)
Chronic stress and muscle tension
While masseter hypertrophy can be unilateral, it usually presents bilaterally. In East and Southeast Asian populations, masseter hypertrophy has a naturally high genetic prevalence, driving immense popularity for jawline slimming procedures. A high-profile example was 18-year-old Filipina singer Charice Pempengco, who underwent masseter reduction to refine her lower face before appearing on the TV series Glee. Today, this trend has gained widespread momentum across Western aesthetics and in Israel.
Surgical Approach: Partial surgical resection of the masseter muscle is traditionally reserved for severe cases with functional impairment. However, surgery involves significant downtime, swelling, pain, and bruising.
Minimally Invasive Botulinum Toxin Injections: Jawline slimming via targeted Botox/Dysport injections into the lower third of the face is rapid, virtually painless, and highly effective. The protocol typically consists of two sessions spaced three weeks apart.
Functional Relief: Relaxes hyperactive masseter muscles, significantly alleviating teeth grinding (bruxism), morning jaw tightness, and TMJ discomfort.
Aesthetic Refinement: Gradually slims the lateral width of the lower face over 4 to 8 weeks, creating a tapered, oval, or heart-shaped silhouette with remarkably high patient satisfaction.
This specialized technique is performed with great precision by Dr. Sarit Cohen across dozens of patients. Dr. Cohen categorizes this procedure as “The 5th Zone” (Jawline Contouring), extending beyond the traditional upper-face botulinum toxin injection sites:
Zone 1: Forehead lines
Zone 2: Glabella (frown lines between the brows)
Zone 3: Crow’s feet (periorbital lateral lines)
Zone 4: Forehead lengthening / Brow elevation
Zone 5: Jawline slimming & masseter contouring
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