Quite a few people start looking into V-line treatments because the area under the chin looks thick, only to hear for the first time that the cause is neither fat nor weight gain but the salivary glands. This article sets out what salivary gland Botox is, when it can help, and when it may leave nothing behind but side effects.
Volume under the chin can come from enlarged salivary glands
The face has three pairs of major salivary glands: the sublingual, submandibular, and parotid glands. When these glands are naturally well developed, or become enlarged under the influence of habits such as frequent drinking or extreme dieting, the area under the chin and below the ears can bulge enough to be visible from the outside. In these cases it is easy to mistake the change for weight gain or age-related sagging.
How salivary gland Botox works
Salivary gland Botox is a treatment in which Botox is injected into the enlarged salivary gland to suppress saliva-producing activity, and through that, gradually reduce the size of the gland. For those whose concern has been an undefined jawline, it is an option that can be considered if the actual cause turns out to be salivary gland enlargement.
Injected where it is not needed, only side effects remain
Some people decide on the treatment area themselves based on what they read online and then visit a clinic. But what happens when Botox is injected into a salivary gland that was never enlarged? The change in contour they hoped for does not arrive, while dry mouth, the side effect most often associated with salivary gland Botox, can become more pronounced. Before deciding whether to have the treatment, the first thing to establish is the actual cause of the volume under your chin.
Why diagnosis comes first
What matters is finding a medical team that does not simply inject on request, but examines the face as a whole, palpates under the chin and below the ears directly, identifies the cause, and then judges whether treatment is needed. At SKINIQUE Clinic, our principle is that even when a patient asks about masseter Botox, if salivary gland enlargement is confirmed we explain that first, and conversely, if the salivary glands are not the cause, we say plainly that the treatment is not necessary.
How the treatment is carried out
Once treatment is decided after consultation, a cold compress is applied to the area first to reduce the burden of pain. We have our own techniques for easing injection discomfort, so in many cases the treatment is performed without separate numbing cream.
We also let you see the product being used with your own eyes before treatment, then inject the genuine product at the stated dose. This procedure exists so that you can receive treatment without worrying about dilution disputes or product authenticity. Detailed pricing is available on the price guide.
Wrapping Up
A bulging look under the chin can come from fat, from sagging, or from salivary gland enlargement, and a different cause calls for a different treatment. Salivary gland Botox is meaningful only where salivary gland enlargement has been confirmed, and both its effects and its side effects vary from person to person. If you are wondering what is behind your own under-chin concern, start by checking with us through chat for guidance suited to your condition.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung, Chief Director. He is the chief director of SKINIQUE Clinic and serves as an academic director of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Hair. First published April 20, 2021 · Last reviewed August 24, 2026
This article provides general medical information. Skin condition and response to treatment vary from person to person. Whether and how to be treated should be decided through an in-person consultation.