The Jawline: Dr. Godley on What He Uses, What He Avoids, and Why

The jawline is a major focus in aesthetic medicine right now. Dr. Mark Godley shares what he uses in practice, what he avoids, and why.

Botox for Jaw Slimming (Masseter)

Can Botox slim your jawline?

Dr. Godley: “Botox for jaw slimming can work, but only when the width of the jaw is coming from the masseter muscle.” The masseter is a chewing muscle that can get bulky from clenching or teeth grinding. “Botox relaxes the muscle, and over time it can reduce in size, which can make the lower face look slimmer.”

“If the concern is jowls, loose skin, or loss of support, this treatment won’t change the jawline.” In practice, this is mainly used for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Any slimming effect is secondary.

“It also needs to be done carefully.” If there isn’t much structure in the corners of the jawline, reducing the muscle too much can create jowling. Over-treatment can also lead to excessive muscle atrophy. Because of this, Dr. Godley tends to use lower units and treat the area less frequently than other parts of the face.

He adds that while this treatment is sometimes offered in dental settings, cosmetic use requires a different level of assessment. “You’re not just treating a muscle, you’re considering how that change affects the entire lower face.”

Jaw Thread Lift

Can a thread lift define your jawline?

Dr. Godley: “Yes. It’s one of the treatments I use most for the jawline.” A thread lift lifts tissue that has started to drop, which can improve the line of the jaw. “But the part people don’t always realize is the collagen stimulation.” As the threads dissolve, they stimulate collagen and elastin production within the deeper layers of the skin. “Collagen gives the skin structure, and elastin helps it stay firm and bounce back.” He adds, “You’ll hear about products at Sephora that claim to do the same, but they work on the surface. Threads are placed under the skin, where collagen is actually built, so the collagen response can be stronger.”

Jawline Filler 

Can jawline filler help with jowls? Does jawline filler help with a double chin?

Dr. Godley: “Filler can be used to define and shape the jawline.” It can sharpen the edge of the jaw, improve symmetry, and add structure along the back of the jaw and chin. Dr. Godley often uses Radiesse in this area because it adds structure while stimulating collagen to help improve skin laxity.

“For jowls, it can help camouflage them.” By strengthening the jawline in front of and behind the jowl, it can make the area look more continuous. “But it’s not lifting anything.” If the tissue has dropped, filler doesn’t reposition it.

“For a double chin, no.” A double chin is usually caused by fat under the chin or loose skin, and filler doesn’t treat either.

Jaw Shaving Surgery

What is jawline shaving, and is it safe?

Dr. Godley: “Jaw shaving, or V-line surgery, is done to create that very slim, V-shaped lower face.” You see it a lot in Korea, where a smaller jaw and pointed chin is the beauty standard. With K-pop and social media, that look has become more visible, so patients here are starting to ask about it.

“It’s real surgery though.” It involves cutting and reshaping the jawbone under general anesthesia. “It can be done safely, but you have to respect what it is.” There are risks like infection, bleeding, and nerve irritation, which can lead to numbness.

“The part people don’t always think about is what happens after.” When you reduce the bone, the tissue above has less support. “Over time, that can lead to more looseness.”

He adds, “It’s a very specific look. Some people want it, but there are often less invasive ways to improve the jawline.”

No jawline surgery here. Dr. Godley used biostimulating fillers and thread lift to support the tissue and improve skin quality.

Under the Chin Treatment

Can Belkyra melt the fat under my chin? 

Dr. Godley: “Belkyra is used to treat fat under the chin.” Belkyra, also known as Kybella, uses deoxycholic acid (DCA), often combined with phosphatidylcholine (PPC), to break down fat cells. Once those fat cells are broken down, the body clears them, which reduces the fat under the chin. 

Dr. Godley: “It’s important that people understand this is not a quick treatment process.” Belkyra can cause dramatic swelling, often requires multiple treatments, and results are gradual and subtle. “Another thing to consider is that reducing fat in this area can create loose skin, which may need other treatments to tighten.”

Jaw Exercise or Massage

Do jaw exercises work? Do jaw massages work?

Dr. Godley: “Jaw exercises are usually done to try to create more definition along the jawline. In reality, they work the masseter muscle, and when you train a muscle, it can grow.” If the masseter becomes more prominent, the lower face can appear wider rather than more defined. “So instead of sharpening the jawline, it can have the opposite effect.” 

Jaw release massages are different. It can help reduce tension and temporary puffiness, which may make the area feel less tight, but it does not change structure or create lasting definition. Lymphatic drainage can temporarily contour the face by reducing retained fluid. “For patients dealing with clenching, massage can be useful for comfort.

Deep Plane Facelift

Can you help me, or do I need a face lift?

Dr. Godley: “Threads, filler, and biostimulators can do a lot for the jawline. But there is a point where surgery becomes the more appropriate option.” When there is heavy jowling or significant loose skin, non-surgical treatments can only go so far.

A deep plane facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts deep facial tissue and trims excess skin. Dr. Godley refers patients to trusted plastic surgeon colleagues when he feels surgery is the better fit for the concern. “I’m not interested in pushing non-surgical treatments if I don’t think they’ll be effective.” At the end of the day, his focus is on helping patients get the result they’re looking for.

No jawline surgery here. Dr. Godley used biostimulating fillers and thread lift to support the tissue and improve skin quality.

Book your jawline consultation in Vancouver or Abbotsford for filler, Botox, and thread lift options

Dr. Godley: “The jawline is one of those areas where the cause matters more than the treatment.” Width from muscle, softening from descent, fullness under the chin, and loss of definition are all different problems.

“That’s why one treatment won’t fix everything.” Botox, filler, threads, and surgery each have a role, but only when they’re matched to the right concern.

“The first step is understanding what you’re seeing.” Once that’s clear, the treatment becomes much more straightforward.

If you’re thinking about your jawline, a consultation is the best place to start. Book your consultation with Dr. Mark Godley in Vancouver or Abbotsford B.C.