Consultations for Jaw Muscle Concerns

The masseter muscles are a pair of strong muscles located on each side of the lower face.

They are responsible for chewing and clenching and contribute significantly to the shape and width of the jawline.

A consultation for the masseter area at Shellharbour Skin is a medical discussion focused on understanding how these muscles work, what influences their size and activity, and how that may relate to your overall facial structure. This consultation is educational in nature and aims to help you understand anatomy, contributing factors, and safe, evidence-based management pathways

Understanding the Masseter Muscles

The masseter muscles are essential for jaw function but can appear more prominent in some individuals. This prominence can develop naturally or be influenced by repeated use and tension.

Common contributing factors include:

Genetic predisposition: Inherited facial and bone structure characteristics.

Bruxism: Chronic clenching or grinding of the teeth, often linked to stress or jaw tension.

Lifestyle and posture: Long-term habits such as chewing on one side or gum use.

Asymmetry: One side may become more active than the other, affecting facial balance.

Understanding these factors allows your clinician to discuss how functional muscle changes can influence facial shape or tension.

Your Consultation at Shellharbour Skin

During your consultation, your clinician will perform a detailed assessment of your jaw function and lower facial structure.

The purpose of this consultation is to identify possible causes of muscle activity or tension and provide factual, evidence-based information about available management options.

Your clinician will:

• Take a detailed medical history, including medications, allergies, and dental or previous aesthetic procedures.
• Assess muscle activity, jaw movement, and bite patterns.
• Discuss non-surgical management options that may be appropriate for your needs.
• Explain potential approaches in general terms
• Outline risks, benefits, and aftercare expectations.
• Provide time to ask questions or express any concerns.

No procedure is performed during the first consultation. If a clinical management pathway is recommended, this will only proceed following a full assessment and informed consent.

Clinical Discussion and Management Planning

After assessment, your clinician may discuss potential pathways for managing masseter muscle activity or associated tension. These discussions are purely informational and non-promotional, intended to support understanding and decision-making.

Topics that may be discussed include:

• Observation and monitoring if no intervention is required.
• Habit management strategies for clenching or grinding (including dental referral).
• Non-surgical approaches that can help reduce excessive muscle activity or imbalance.
• Discussion of the temporary nature, risks, and safety profile of prescription-only options, if clinically appropriate.

Every plan is tailored to the individual’s anatomy, health history, and preferences. No pathway proceeds without informed consent and medical oversight.

Aftercare and Follow-Up

If a management approach is undertaken, your clinician will provide written aftercare instructions.
Temporary effects such as mild tenderness, swelling, or tightness may occur and typically settle within a few days.

General care recommendations may include:

• Avoid massaging or touching the area for several hours.
• Avoid vigorous exercise and extreme temperatures for 24 hours.
• Monitor for any pain, redness, or unexpected changes and contact the clinic if concerned.
• Follow all instructions provided in your written aftercare plan.

Follow-up appointments are usually recommended to review progress and discuss next steps if needed.

Risks and Considerations

All aesthetic and medical procedures carry potential risks.

Your clinician will discuss these thoroughly before any treatment decision.

Common temporary effects may include:

• Local swelling or tenderness
• Mild bruising
• Temporary feeling of jaw stiffness

Less common or serious effects may include:

• Asymmetry or uneven muscle response
• Headache or chewing fatigue
• Infection or local inflammation
• Allergic or inflammatory reaction

If you experience unexpected pain, facial weakness, or discolouration, contact the clinic or seek urgent medical review.

Cost and Planning

The cost of consultations for masseter muscle concerns varies based on the complexity of the assessment and any management pathway discussed.

All costs are confirmed before your consultation, and any procedures involving prescription-only medicines are priced separately after clinical review and approval.

No treatment occurs without suitability confirmation and informed consent.

Important Information

• Shellharbour Skin provides consultations for assessment and education in compliance with AHPRA and TGA advertising standards.
• This page does not advertise or promote prescription-only medicines.
• All services are provided following a comprehensive medical assessment.
• Individual suitability and experiences vary.
• This information is for educational purposes and does not replace personal medical advice.

Practitioner Transparency

Consultations and skin treatments at Shellharbour Skin are provided by a multidisciplinary clinical team:

Dermal Clinicians – qualified skin professionals who are not registered under AHPRA but hold tertiary qualifications in dermal science or dermal therapies. They provide skin treatments and consultations within their professional scope and under clinical supervision.

Registered Nurses – AHPRA-registered health practitioners who perform skin and aesthetic treatments within their clinical training and scope of practice.

Medical Practitioners – AHPRA-registered doctors experienced in skin health and aesthetic medicine who oversee and support all clinical services.

All treatments are undertaken within a medically supervised environment, ensuring that each patient pathway is reviewed for clinical suitability, safety, and evidence-based care.

You can verify registration for medical practitioners and nurses at ahpra.gov.au