Masseter Slimming vs. Nefertiti Lift in Montréal

The masseters are the chewing muscles at the back corners of the jaw. In some people they are naturally bulky or become enlarged over time, which can give the lower face a wider, squarer look. Treating the masseter with a neuromodulator reduces the muscle's activity, and with reduced activity the muscle gradually becomes smaller. The result is a slimmer-looking lower face, and it develops slowly: early changes may appear after several weeks, with fuller contour changes often taking two to three months (Ferrillo et al., 2025).

Masseter treatment can also help when muscle overactivity contributes to jaw tension or teeth grinding, although this article focuses on the aesthetic use.

The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle in the neck. With age, its activity can create vertical neck bands and exert a downward pull along the jawline, softening its definition. The Nefertiti lift uses a neuromodulator to relax targeted points along the platysma. With the downward pull reduced, neck bands soften and the jawline can look a little more defined.

A 2019 systematic review of botulinum toxin for mild to moderate platysma bands found a high response rate across the included studies, with most patients showing visible improvement within about two weeks. Complications occurred in a minority of patients and none required further intervention (Sugrue et al., 2019). The evidence base remains small, so expectations should be discussed carefully.

Masseter slimming generally suits adults whose lower-face width comes mainly from the muscle itself, with good skin support. The Nefertiti lift generally suits adults with visible neck bands or a muscle-related downward pull, and limited loose skin. Neither treatment removes fat or excess skin, and where skin laxity is the main issue, a different approach may be more appropriate.

Neuromodulator effects are temporary. Muscle activity gradually returns, and most people find results last in the range of three to six months, varying with the person, the area, and the dose. A Cochrane review of botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles found it effective at reducing lines within four weeks of treatment, with eyelid drooping (ptosis) the main notable risk in the studies reviewed (Camargo et al., 2021). In the lower face and neck, careful dosing and placement matter, which is why these treatments should only be performed by experienced medical injectors.

That depends on your anatomy: where the width or pull comes from, how your muscles move, and how much support your skin provides. A consultation lets us assess your neck movement, jaw muscles, and skin, talk through expected results and risks, and decide together whether either option fits your goals.