Masseter Botox is one of the most-requested treatments among foreigners visiting Tokyo clinics — and one of the most misunderstood. A single session can slim a square jawline, ease teeth-grinding tension, and reduce TMJ discomfort, but the dosing, timeline, and cost work differently from a standard forehead treatment. This guide covers what you actually need to know before booking at an English-friendly clinic in Tokyo.
For standard forehead and eye-area Botox in Tokyo, see our Botox Tokyo guide. For a comparison of Allergan vs Korean botulinum toxin brands — relevant for masseter treatments given the high unit count — see our Allergan vs Korean Botox guide.
Botulinum toxin injected into the masseter (the thick muscle you feel when you clench your jaw) gradually weakens and shrinks the muscle over weeks. The result is a slimmer, more tapered lower face.
The critical difference from cosmetic forehead Botox is volume. A forehead treatment typically uses 10–20 units. Masseter slimming requires 50–100 units total — 25–50 per side — because the masseter is one of the strongest muscles in the body. Clinics that quote suspiciously low prices may be under-dosing or using a per-area model that obscures the actual unit count. Always confirm the number of units included before you book.
Timeline to expect:
Important for short-stay visitors: Because visible jawline slimming takes 4–6 weeks to appear, masseter Botox is not a treatment where you will see results during a 1–2 week Tokyo trip. If cosmetic slimming is your main goal, you will need to plan around this timeline — either booking early in a longer stay or accepting that the visible payoff comes after you return home. For bruxism or TMJ patients, however, functional relief (reduced clenching and jaw tension) begins within 7–10 days, making it worthwhile even on a shorter visit.
If you grind your teeth (bruxism), you may need the higher end of the dosing range. Patients with naturally prominent masseters — common across all ethnicities, not only East Asian face shapes — also tend to require more units for noticeable contouring.
BIANCA is one of few Tokyo clinics that prices Botox Vista (the only MHLW-approved botulinum toxin in Japan) per unit, which makes cost comparison transparent. Published rates from their English-language site show ¥726–770 per unit plus a ¥24,200 treatment fee. For a 60-unit masseter session, that puts the total around ¥67,800–70,400 (~$450–470). BIANCA has a dedicated masseter/small-face page and offers consultations in English. This is the top pick if you want the approved Allergan product with clear per-unit pricing.
Location: Omotesando. English website and multilingual staff.
HADA NO CLINIC publishes one of the most detailed English-language masseter Botox pages found in Tokyo — including a recommendation of 50–80 units and a clear explanation of the 4–6 week contouring timeline. They use Coretox, a Korean botulinum toxin. While Coretox is not MHLW-approved, it is legally used in Japan under physician responsibility and is popular across Asia. Pricing was not indexed in search results; request a quote during consultation.
English website with protocol details.
Elm Clinic offers an "Elabotox" treatment marketed for facial slimming and small-face contouring. They stock both Allergan and Korean brand options, giving patients a choice between the approved product and a more affordable alternative. English consultations are available, and the multi-location footprint (Azabujuban, Futakotamagawa, among others) adds scheduling flexibility. Pricing follows a per-area model — confirm the unit count included before committing.
Multiple Tokyo locations. English consultations available.
KAI Clinic appears on Trambellir, an English-language booking platform for aesthetic clinics in Tokyo, which means you can reserve without navigating a Japanese-only site. The clinic lists masseter Botox among its services. Specific brand and unit-count details were not indexed in search results, so this is a clinic where the pre-appointment questions below become essential.
Location: Shibuya. Bookable via Trambellir (English).
An outlier on this list — Sakura Dental Office is a dental clinic that also offers masseter Botox. This makes it particularly relevant if your primary motivation is bruxism or TMJ pain rather than cosmetic slimming. Having a dentist administer the injection means the provider understands occlusion and bite dynamics, not just facial aesthetics. English-speaking services are listed. Pricing was not indexed.
Location: Nakano. Dental perspective on masseter treatment.
Seoul is the most common alternative destination for jaw slimming Botox, with sessions running ₩100,000–300,000 ($80–230 USD). Tokyo is significantly more expensive — a 60-unit Botox Vista session at BIANCA alone costs roughly $450–470 before any optional add-ons.
However, price is not the only variable. Tokyo clinics offer access to the only MHLW-approved botulinum toxin in Japan (Botox Vista), and the city's conservative dosing culture means practitioners tend to prioritise natural results over dramatic change. If you are already in Tokyo, the convenience of local follow-up and no additional travel costs can offset the price gap — especially since masseter Botox typically requires a repeat session within 4–6 months.
For a deeper look at approved vs Korean brands, see our Allergan vs Korean Botox guide.
Masseter Botox varies more between clinics than almost any other injectable treatment — in brand, unit count, and pricing model. Before you book, confirm these four things:
If your Japanese is limited, you can email or message the clinic in advance using this template:
エラボトックス（小顔注射）を希望しています。使用する製剤名と、片側あたりの注入単位数を教えてください。料金に含まれる内容も確認したいです。英語での対応は可能でしょうか？
(Translation: "I am interested in masseter Botox (small-face injection). Please tell me the product name and unit count per side. I would also like to confirm what is included in the price. Is English-language support available?")
For a full walkthrough of booking at a Tokyo clinic without Japanese, see our step-by-step booking guide.
Baseline price reference (2026): BIANCA Clinic Botox Vista ¥726–770/unit + ¥24,200 fee. A 60-unit masseter session totals approximately ¥67,800–70,400. Korean-brand sessions at other clinics may be significantly lower — always confirm units included.
Regulatory note: Botox Vista (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) is the only botulinum toxin approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Korean brands (Coretox, Nabota, Botulax) are legally used under individual physician responsibility but are not MHLW-approved. For a complete breakdown, read our Allergan vs Korean Botox explainer.
Masseter Botox requires clear communication about dosing and expected results — which is exactly what gets lost in translation. Kanbi ensures your clinic knows what you want before you walk in.
Submit a treatment request → kanbicare.com
Related Kanbi guides: botox in Tokyo, Allergan vs Korean botox, and liquid facelift in Tokyo., and how to book a clinic in Tokyo without speaking Japanese
How many units do I need for masseter Botox?
Most patients need 50–100 units total, split evenly between both sides. Strong grinders or patients with very developed masseters may need the higher end. This is significantly more than the 10–20 units used for forehead lines, which is why masseter sessions cost more.
Does masseter Botox change my smile?
When injected correctly into the masseter muscle, it should not affect your smile. The masseter controls jaw clenching, not the muscles responsible for smiling. Choosing an experienced injector — ideally one who routinely performs masseter treatments — minimises this risk.
How long until my jawline looks slimmer?
Expect to feel reduced jaw tension within 7–10 days. Visible slimming typically appears at 4–6 weeks as the muscle gradually atrophies. Full results develop over 2–3 months. This is slower than forehead Botox because the masseter is a much larger, stronger muscle.
Is jaw Botox cheaper in Seoul than Tokyo?
Generally yes. Seoul sessions range from $80–230 USD compared to $450+ for MHLW-approved Botox Vista in Tokyo. However, Tokyo offers the only nationally approved botulinum toxin in Asia (Botox Vista), and follow-up is easier if you are already based in or visiting Japan.
Can a dentist do masseter Botox in Tokyo?
Yes. Some dental clinics in Tokyo, such as Sakura Dental Office, offer masseter Botox — particularly for patients whose primary concern is bruxism or TMJ pain. A dentist may bring a different perspective on jaw function and bite alignment compared to a cosmetic dermatologist.
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