It’s kind of a weird thing, right? When people talk about "cheeks," they usually think of fillers like Juvéderm or Voluma. But lately, everyone is searching for botox cheeks before and after photos, trying to figure out how a neurotoxin—something that technically relaxes muscles—could possibly change the shape of a mid-face.
Here is the truth: Botox doesn't "fill" anything.
If you walk into a medspa expecting a syringe of Botox to give you high, razor-sharp cheekbones, you're going to be disappointed. However, that doesn't mean it does nothing. When we look at botox cheeks before and after results, we’re actually looking at a complex game of tug-of-war between muscles you probably didn't even know you had. It’s about balance. It’s about stopping certain muscles from pulling your face down, which—in a roundabout way—makes your cheeks look better.
What’s Actually Happening in Those Before and After Photos?
Most people looking for botox cheeks before and after transformations are actually seeing the results of a "Masseter Botox" treatment or a "Nefertiti Lift."
The masseter is that big, chunky muscle at the back of your jaw. If you clench your teeth right now, you’ll feel it pop out. When a dermatologist like Dr. Shereene Idriss or Dr. David Colbert injects Botox there, the muscle shrinks over time. This is called muscle atrophy.
Suddenly, the bottom of the face looks slimmer.
Because the jawline is narrower, the cheeks naturally look more prominent by comparison. It’s an optical illusion. You didn't add volume to the cheek; you just removed the "bulk" from the basement of the face. In botox cheeks before and after galleries, this "V-shape" or heart-shaped transition is the gold standard.
Then there’s the "Bunny Lines" and "Gummy Smile" factor.
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Sometimes, when you smile, your nose scrunches up or your upper lip retreats way too high. This can make the cheeks look "bunched up" or overly fleshy in a way that feels cluttered. By relaxing the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (try saying that five times fast), the whole mid-face settles. The "after" looks smoother. It looks more "expensive," for lack of a better word.
The Masseter Effect: Slimming for Definition
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the jaw-to-cheek ratio.
I’ve seen patients who think they have "flat" cheeks, but the reality is they just have over-developed jaw muscles from grinding their teeth at night (bruxism). When the jaw is as wide as the cheekbones, the face looks rectangular.
Botox changes that.
Usually, a provider will use about 20 to 30 units per side. It’s not instant. You won’t see a botox cheeks before and after difference the next morning. It takes about four to six weeks for the muscle to actually thin out. But once it does? The shadows on the face change. You get that "hollow" look under the cheekbones that people usually try to fake with contour makeup.
Why doctors are cautious
- The "Sag" Risk: If you’re over 45 and have lost skin elasticity, slimming the jaw too much can actually make the skin hang. You lose the "shelf" the skin was sitting on.
- Smile Distortion: If the Botox migrates to the risorius muscle, your smile might look lopsided for three months. It’s rare, but it happens.
- The Cost: You’re looking at $400 to $800 depending on your zip code and how much "meat" is in the muscle.
Botox vs. Fillers: Clearing Up the Confusion
Honestly, most of the "cheeks" content you see on TikTok is filler.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers like Restylane actually add physical volume. They are the "bricks" used to build a cheekbone. Botox is just the "relaxant" that stops the construction crew from pulling the building down.
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If you look at botox cheeks before and after shots and the person suddenly has massive, glowing apples on their cheeks, they almost certainly had a combination treatment. This is often called "Global Facial Rejuvenation."
"We often use Botox to soften the pull of the lower face (the depressors) so that the fillers we place in the upper face (the elevators) can do their job more effectively," says many a top-tier injector.
It's a symphony.
If you only do Botox in the crow’s feet, your cheeks might actually move differently when you laugh. This is the "chipmunk effect." If the muscles around the eyes are frozen, the cheek muscles try to compensate by pushing upwards more aggressively. This is why choosing a provider who understands "full-face dynamics" is more important than finding the cheapest price per unit.
Micro-Botox: The New "Glass Skin" Cheek
There is a newer technique that definitely impacts botox cheeks before and after aesthetics: Micro-Botox (or Meso-Botox).
Instead of injecting deep into the muscle to freeze it, the doctor injects tiny, diluted amounts into the very superficial layer of the skin. This doesn't stop you from smiling. It doesn't change your bone structure.
What it does do is shrink sweat glands and sebaceous (oil) glands.
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The result? The skin on the cheeks looks incredibly poreless and tight. It reflects light better. When skin reflects light perfectly, the "high points" of the cheeks look more pronounced. It’s a subtle way to get that "after" glow without looking like you’ve had "work" done.
Real World Expectations: A Reality Check
Don't expect miracles.
Botox is temporary. It lasts three to four months. If you’re looking at botox cheeks before and after photos and expecting a permanent surgical change, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Also, it hurts a little. Like a tiny bee sting.
And there is the bruising. Since the cheeks and jaw area are highly vascular (lots of blood vessels), you might end up with a small greenish bruise that looks like you ran into a doorframe. It fades, but it’s worth noting if you have a wedding on Saturday.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
- Skip the Alcohol: No wine the night before. Alcohol thins the blood. Thicker blood means less bruising.
- Ditch the NSAIDs: Stop taking Ibuprofen or Aspirin about a week out, unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Check Your Schedule: Don't work out for 24 hours after. No yoga, no HIIT, no hanging upside down. You want that Botox to stay exactly where it was put.
- Ice is Your Friend: A little cold compress helps with the swelling, though swelling is usually minimal.
The Verdict on Botox for Cheeks
If your goal is a slimmer lower face that makes your cheeks "pop," Botox in the masseters is a legitimate game-changer. If your goal is to fix "sunken" cheeks or deep nasolabial folds, you’re likely looking for filler, not Botox.
The best botox cheeks before and after results are the ones where you can’t quite tell what the person did, but they just look... rested? Less stressed?
It’s about the "negative space" of the face. By reducing the noise in the lower face, the beauty of the mid-face can actually shine.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit Your Smile: Stand in the mirror and do a full, gummy smile. If your cheeks bunch up in a way that creates "rolls" under your eyes, ask your injector about "jelly roll" Botox or bunny line treatment.
- Feel Your Jaw: Clench your teeth. If that muscle feels like a hard golf ball, you are a prime candidate for masseter slimming to enhance your cheek definition.
- Consultation is Key: Don't just book "Botox." Book a "Facial Assessment." Let the pro look at how your face moves.
- Start Small: You can always add more units, but you can't take them out. You just have to wait for them to wear off, which feels like an eternity if you don't like the look.
- Document Everything: Take your own "before" photos in harsh, natural lighting. Sometimes the change is so gradual you won't notice it until you look back at where you started.