My face looks big because of my square jaw, so I always cover my chin with my hair. Contour surgery feels burdensome, but can injections alone make my face smaller?
Does a Square Jaw or Wide Cheekbone Make Your Face Look Bigger? A Complete Guide to The L Injection for Contouring
Heal House Gangnam Branch Director Hanmi Jung introduces The L injection, a non-surgical approach for concerns about a square jaw and wide lower face that make the face look larger. It also introduces the process of measuring and confirming changes in facial area and left-right width through 3D imaging analysis before and after the procedure.
Hello. I am Hanmi Jung, board-certified dermatologist and lead physician at Heal House in Sinnonhyeon. To give you the conclusion first: yes, injections alone can make your face smaller without surgery. In fact, a 3D imaging analysis of 20 women who received The L at Heal House showed an average 4.7% reduction in facial size and a 4.3% reduction in left-right width.
Refer to the Heal House Gangnam Branch website https://healhousegn.com/sub/facemake01.php
However, even with the same square jaw, the areas and degree of added volume vary from person to person, so the extent of change can only be accurately determined through a direct evaluation. That is why today, I have organized the questions I receive in the clinic in order, covering not only the effects of The L but also its differences from general contour injections and precautions.
The L at a Glance
Procedure name: The L (Heal House signature contour injection)
Suitable candidates (indications): Developed lower face (square jaw appearance), wide temples, contours that have widened with aging
Unsuitable candidates (contraindications): Sagging (→ lifting), hollow areas (→ collagen booster), cases where the bone structure itself is the cause (→ decision after consultation)
Approach: Not 'reduce as much as possible,' but a 1:1 customized design that reduces only the areas that need reduction
Effectiveness data: 3D measurements of 20 women showed an average 4.7% reduction in facial size and 4.3% reduction in left-right width (individual results vary)
Timeline of changes: Begins after 1–2 weeks → gradual change over 2–4 weeks → most noticeable around 3 months
Procedure time: Approximately 20 minutes; you can return to daily life immediately after the procedure
Pain and side effects: A mild stinging sensation due to the pain-free formulation; temporary swelling or bruising may occur but improves within a few days
Why does my face look larger than others?
Doctor, when I look in the mirror with my friend, my face seems to look particularly large. We have similar height and weight, so why does only my face look big?
If your height and weight are similar but your face looks noticeably larger, the cause is often not the bone structure but the volume and contours on the sides of the face. When the lower face, which appears square, and the temples have added volume, the face looks blunt and wide. As you age, volume increases while skin elasticity decreases, making the edges appear even wider.
Asian faces tend to have a wider left-right width and more prominent cheekbones, leaving more empty space at the edges. That is why even a 4–5% reduction in facial width can make the same eyes and nose appear much more distinct.
Self-check list (consultation recommended if one or more items apply)
- The lower face is developed, making the jaw appear angular and blunt: This is common in people who grind their teeth, clench their jaw, or enjoy chewy foods.
- The temples are wide, making the face look spread out to the sides: This becomes more noticeable when you tie your hair up.
- Your face looks particularly large in photos, and the contours appear uneven: This is more prominent in angled shots than in front-facing ones.
- You feel your face is gradually getting wider as you age: This is a case where decreased elasticity and increased volume occur simultaneously.
[Key point] If your height and weight are similar to a friend's but only your face looks larger, the cause is often not the bone structure but the volume and contours on the sides (developed lower face, wide temples).
What is The L?
The L is Heal House's signature contour injection, a 1:1 customized procedure that refines the facial line by designing the volume and contours of multiple areas—such as the jaw, temples, and hairline—differently for each area. It is commonly called the 'face-slimming injection,' but the goal is not 'to reduce as much as possible' but to precisely distribute the amount and volume according to your face shape.
If you indiscriminately reduce only one area, the cheekbones may become prominent or the cheeks may appear saggy. The L reads the overall flow of the face and distributes the amount to be reduced differently for each area.
[Key point] The L is an injection that reduces the empty space on the face to create a slender impression. It works on the blunt jawline, temporalis muscle, and hairline, and is a 1:1 customized procedure designed according to your face shape through 'precision in area and dosage' rather than 'intensity.'
How is it different from botulinum toxin type A for square jaw or general contour injections?
Square-jaw botulinum toxin type A is a partial reduction that reduces the 'strength' of one area (the masseter), while The L is a procedure that distributes 'area and dosage' across multiple areas (jaw, temples, hairline) to design overall facial balance. The most frequent question we receive is, "Is it like square-jaw botulinum toxin type A?", but this is a more advanced procedure that differs in its approach from the start.
Square-jaw botulinum toxin type A: This is generally a single-area procedure that relaxes one site (the masseter). It works by reducing 'strength,' and the goal is partial reduction. It is suitable when masseter hypertrophy is the sole cause.
General contour injections: The formulation varies by clinic, but typically involves injecting a pre-determined drug combination. Rather than analyzing the entire face and allocating different dosages by area, many clinics use the same composition for the procedure.
The L: This is a full-face balance procedure that addresses multiple areas such as the jaw, temples, and hairline. It is designed with 'precision of area and dosage,' and the goal is overall facial balance. It is suitable when two or more areas combine to make the face appear wider.
[Key point] If masseter hypertrophy is the sole cause, square-jaw botulinum toxin type A may be sufficient. The difference is that The L is designed for overall balance when the face appears wide due to a combination of two or more areas—such as the lower face, temples, and hairline.
What is the actual extent of The L's effects? (3D data)
Heal House measured and compared the faces of 20 women who received The L before and after the procedure using 3D photography. The results showed an average decrease of 4.7% in face size and 4.3% in face width (individual results may vary).
Summary of 3D measurement results
- Measurement subjects and method: 20 women, 3D photography under identical conditions before and after the procedure
- Face size: Average decrease of 4.7%
- Face width: Average decrease of 4.3%
The numbers may seem small, but even a slight reduction in facial area can significantly change one's appearance.
The changes created by The L can be summarized into five main areas.
- Dull jaw line (square-jaw appearance) → Slim and smooth
- Wide-looking temple area → Soft and slim
- Overall balance → Features become more prominent
- Skin elasticity → Even fine lines become smoother
- Hidden V-line → Emerges
[Key] In 3D measurements at Heal House Gangnam Branch (20 women, [device name], same conditions before and after the procedure), The L injection showed an average reduction of 4.7% in facial size and 4.3% in left-right width. (Results vary by individual.)
What do actual recipients say in their reviews?
The changes commonly reported by those who have received the procedure are as follows.
- People around you say, "Did you get a procedure?" but instead say, "Why has your face gotten so small lately?"
- When you tie your hair up, the once uneven contour line becomes smooth.
- The edges of your face in photos look more refined.
However, rather than reviews immediately after the procedure, records from the 1-to-3-month mark serve as a better basis for judging actual effectiveness, and satisfaction tends to be higher.
[Key point] A common theme in reviews of The L is a natural change in impression—"my face looks smaller"—rather than a drastic transformation. When reading reviews, it is more accurate to base your judgment on records from the 1-to-3-month mark rather than immediately after the procedure.
When will I see results, and how long do they last?
Changes from The L typically begin 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure and gradually appear over 2 to 4 weeks, becoming most noticeable around 3 months.
Changes by time point and management tips
- Day of procedure: Most daily activities are possible. However, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and saunas.
- A few days after the procedure: Some people may experience swelling or bruising, which will resolve naturally. If needed, we will guide you to visit the clinic.
- 1 to 2 weeks: Changes begin.
- 2 to 4 weeks: The contour gradually becomes more refined. This is a good time to check your mid-term progress.
- 3 months: The effects are most pronounced, making this a good time for before-and-after comparison.
- After that: Muscles and volume change again over time, so regular maintenance is recommended to sustain a refined appearance.
Are there side effects, precautions, or cases where effects are limited?
Although The L is a non-surgical injection procedure, like all medical procedures, there is a possibility of temporary side effects and cases where the effect is limited. We will provide an honest explanation.
Possible reactions after the procedure
- Swelling: May occur depending on the individual and usually resolves within a few days.
- Bruising: May temporarily occur at the injection site and usually resolves within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Stinging pain: May be felt during the procedure, but is mild due to the inclusion of pain-free components, and generally does not require additional treatment.
Cases where the effect of The L is limited or where a different approach is needed
- When the bone structure is inherently wide: Since injections address the volume of muscles and soft tissues, the degree of change may be limited if the bone is the main cause.
Reference from Seoul National University Hospital on square-jaw treatment: https://www.snuh.org/health/nMedInfo/nView.do?category=TREAT&medid=BB000023
In such cases, we will be honest during the consultation. (If sagging or sunken cheeks are the main cause, a different approach may be prioritized over a reduction procedure. Which treatment is right for which concern is outlined below.)
Heal House Gangnam Branch follows the principle of not recommending the procedure if the diagnosis indicates that The L injection is not suitable. We approach treatment with the belief that saying "This procedure is not right for this concern" is part of the consultation.
[Key point] Common reactions to The L are temporary swelling and bruising, which usually resolve within a few days. If the bone is the main cause or if sagging or hollowing is involved, the effect may be limited. Therefore, it is most important to confirm the indication through a specialist's diagnosis before the procedure.
Sagging, hollowing, or widening—which procedure is right for my concern?
A 'sagging' face and a 'large-looking' face are different issues, and the appropriate procedure differs depending on the cause. If you perform a reduction procedure on sagging, it may actually make the face appear hollow; if you only perform a lifting procedure for a wide look, the overall facial volume remains unchanged.
Sagging, when skin droops downward: Lifting (Alltite, etc.) is the right approach. If your appearance changes significantly when you pull your skin upward in front of a mirror, sagging is the main cause.
Hollowing, when cheeks appear sunken and shadowed: A collagen booster (Sculptra) is the right approach. If the shadow on your cheeks becomes deeper when light hits from the side, hollowing is the main cause.
Widening, when the contour appears broad and blunt (square jaw appearance): The L injection is the right approach. If the margins of your face look wide from the front, widening is the main cause.
[Key point] For sagging, lifting; for hollowing, a collagen booster (Sculptra); for widening (square jaw appearance), The L injection is the right approach. If two or more conditions overlap, the priority is determined by a specialist's diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How much does The L injection cost? The cost varies depending on three factors: the number of treatment areas, the dosage, and the scope of the design, so it is difficult to provide a uniform price. We recommend receiving an accurate cost estimate during a consultation after a facial shape diagnosis. When comparing prices, it is important to check whether the specialist's diagnosis and design are included.
Q. When will I see results and how long do they last? Results typically begin after 1 to 2 weeks and are most noticeable around 3 months. Since muscles and volume change over time, periodic maintenance is recommended to preserve a refined appearance. (Results vary by individual.)
Q. Are there any side effects? Temporary swelling or bruising may occur and usually resolves within a few days. It is advisable to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and saunas on the day of the procedure. If the main cause is skeletal or if sagging or hollowing is also present, the effect may be limited, so a specialist's diagnosis is necessary before the procedure.
Q. Can I resume daily activities immediately after the procedure? Most daily activities are possible right after the procedure. (Results vary by individual.)
Q. Is it very painful? The injection is formulated with pain-reducing components, so it feels like a slight prick. Many people say it is less painful than botulinum toxin type A.
Q. How is it different from square jaw botulinum toxin type A? Square jaw botulinum toxin type A typically relaxes the masseter muscle in one area for partial reduction, whereas The L injection distributes the amount to be reduced across multiple areas such as the jaw, temples, and hairline to design overall facial balance. If masseter hypertrophy is the sole cause, botulinum toxin type A may be sufficient.
Q. Is it different from general contour injections? General contour injections typically involve injecting a pre-determined combination of drugs. The L injection differs in that it analyzes overall facial balance and distributes different amounts to be reduced per area in a 1:1 customized design.
Q. Can I make my face smaller through dieting? Weight loss reduces fat, but 'structural widening' such as a developed lower face or wide temporal contour does not change easily with diet alone, so area-specific design is necessary.
Q. Who performs the procedure? Board-certified dermatologist and Director Hanmi Jung (Heal House Gangnam Branch), who has analyzed thousands of faces over 10 years, personally handles everything from diagnosis and design to the procedure.
Q. Where is the clinic located? It is near Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9 and Shinbundang Line) in Gangnam-gu, Seoul [address]. It is also within walking distance from Gangnam Station.
Hanmi Jung, Dermatologist
As the lead physician at Heal House Gangnam Branch in Sinnonhyeon, I have been analyzing faces for over 10 years, with thousands of cases to my name. I am an active member of the Korean Dermatological Association and the Korean Association of Dermatologists, and I continue to engage in academic work, including publishing in SCI journals and presenting at both international and domestic conferences. My philosophy is to pursue a "small, elegant, and glowing face" (Small & Elegant Glow), and I aim for treatments that read the overall balance of a patient's face, not just a single procedure.
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