This can be both a problem for Caucasians and Asians.
The causes are ~
- Excessive fat in the lower cheek and jowl area
- Thick massetor muscles
- The boney shape of the face (lower jaw)
Excessive fat is treated simply by careful liposuction.
The thick massetors, which are just below the sideburn area of hair can be unduly prominent both from genetic factors and from bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth). Muscle relaxing injections lasting several months are very effective in producing a slimmer and more oval shaped face. This treatment is used extensively and successively in Korea and China because of the genetic predisposition of those populations to having a broad lower face.
The Australian population has yet to become aware of the value of this treatment.
Jaw surgery (mandibulo-facial surgery), although relatively major, can successively reduce lower facial width when boney prominence is its principle cause.