Complete Guide to Botox Uses — From Jaw Slimming to Calves and Hyperhidrosis

Botox is an injectable treatment that uses botulinum toxin to reduce excessive muscle movement. By inhibiting the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, it relaxes the muscle — a mechanism used not only to soften wrinkles but also in a wide range of applications including jaw slimming, calf reduction, hyperhidrosis, and acne management.

Injection method and duration vary depending on the treatment area and purpose, so we recommend reviewing the sections below to understand which application may suit you before consulting with a specialist. Effects and duration vary by individual.

How Long Does Jaw-Slimming Botox Last?

Jaw-slimming Botox works by shrinking the masseter (chewing) muscle to help soften a square facial impression into a slimmer look. The effect of the injection generally lasts around six months, and the face is typically reported to appear smallest around the five-to-six-month mark. The muscle is said to begin growing back after about five months, with the overall effect generally lasting around a year.

Botox does not act directly on bone but on muscle, and over the long term it is understood to help ease bone thickening as well. For about a month after the injection, the jaw may feel stiff or sore when chewing tough foods, but this tends to improve over time. Additional injections are typically considered after about a year, and care should be taken to avoid excessive hollowing with a second round of injections. If you're curious about how this compares to surgical methods, please also see Comparing Jaw Contouring Methods.

How Is Calf Botox Different from Calf Reduction Surgery?

When the inner calf muscle is well-developed and appears thick, muscle removal surgery or nerve block procedures were previously used to treat this. However, nerve block procedures can place long-term strain on ankle balance, and muscle removal surgery carries drawbacks such as scarring, bleeding, and a demanding recovery.

For these reasons, relatively simpler Botox injection therapy has increasingly replaced these methods in recent years. It is typically injected into the inner calf muscle, and since the muscle may thicken again after about a year, repeat treatment may be considered. Results vary by individual.

Is Botox Also Used for Underarm Hyperhidrosis?

Botox is also used to reduce sweat production by inhibiting the nerve signals that stimulate the sweat glands. Sympathetic nerve surgery, which was used in the past, has drawbacks such as compensatory sweating in other areas and is generally not recommended these days, while localized Botox injections are described as a comparatively lower-burden option. However, the effect typically lasts around six to nine months, so repeat injections may be needed.

Can Botox Help with Acne and Nose Shape as Well?

Botox is understood to help reduce sebum production and improve skin texture, so it is sometimes combined with treatments such as amino peeling for acne management. Existing pore inflammation is treated separately, alongside care that helps open clogged pores.

For the nose, "nostril Botox" is used to weaken the muscle that pulls the tip of the nose downward, refining the nose-tip line, or to narrow flaring nostrils. Combined with filler, it can help refine the nose line without surgery, though the effect typically lasts around one to two years and may require repeat treatment over time.

How Is XEOMIN Different from Conventional Botox?

XEOMIN is a purified toxin formulation with complexing proteins removed, which is understood to lower the risk of resistance (antibody formation) with repeated treatment. However, results can vary depending on individual immune response, so it's helpful to share your treatment history and goals during your consultation. If you'd like to learn more about the director's approach to treatment, please see About the Director.

Consultation Information

Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a Consultation

This article is for informational purposes only. The effects and duration of treatment may vary by individual. All medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist beforehand.

Treatment Details

The materials below are treatment information from the previous website (surgery.co.kr). Before-and-after results may vary by individual, and all medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects.