Kare Plastic Surgery & Skin Health Center · Santa Monica, California
Botox in Santa Monica
804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · Near Montana Avenue · (310) 998-5533
Our luxury plastic surgery and dermatology clinic in Santa Monica offers the most advanced Botox treatments to eliminate fine wrinkles on the face. We also offer masseter Botox, jawline slimming, DAO Botox, and Botox for hyperhidrosis and migraines.
Call (310) 998-5533 Book Your Appointment
804 7th Street, Santa Monica CA 90403
(310) 998-5533 — Same-Day Appointments Available
Near Montana Avenue & Brentwood
Mon–Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm; Saturday 8:00am to 12:00 noon
UCLATrained Plastic Surgeon
FACSDouble Board-Certified
MasseterJaw Slimming & TMJ Expert
NaturalResults Philosophy
RealSelf 100Top Surgeon
Physician-Supervised Botox in Santa Monica
Botox in Santa Monica: The Standard of Care at Kare Plastic Surgery Near Montana Avenue
In Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the Montana Avenue corridor, access to world-class aesthetic medicine should not require a trip to Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. Kare Plastic Surgery & Skin Health Center — located at 804 7th Street in Santa Monica, minutes from Montana Avenue and the Brentwood Country Mart — provides physician-supervised Botox of the highest standard, performed under the direct oversight of UCLA-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS.
The distinction between physician-supervised Botox at Kare Plastic Surgery and the Botox offered at medspas, laser clinics, and nurse injector practices throughout the Santa Monica and Los Angeles area is not merely credential-based — it is clinical. Dr. Karamanoukian brings a plastic surgeon’s three-dimensional understanding of facial anatomy — the precise depth, location, and volume of every muscle group targeted by Botox, the relationship between the targeted muscle and the surrounding anatomical structures that must be avoided, and the aesthetic balance between relaxation and movement that produces a natural, refreshed appearance rather than the frozen, expressionless result that poorly executed Botox creates — to every injection appointment at Kare.
His practice spans the full clinical spectrum of botulinum toxin applications: from cosmetic fine line and wrinkle treatment of the forehead, glabellar frown lines (elevens), and crow’s feet, through advanced aesthetic indications including brow lift, chin dimpling correction, DAO (depressor anguli oris) downward lip corner treatment, neck platysmal band relaxation, and masseter jaw slimming, to therapeutic applications including TMJ disorder management, bruxism treatment, migraine prevention, and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) elimination. This breadth makes Kare Plastic Surgery the most clinically complete Botox practice in Santa Monica.
Botox Treatments at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica
- Forehead horizontal lines — frontalis muscle relaxation
- Frown lines / “Elevens” (glabellar complex) — corrugator & procerus
- Crow’s feet — orbicularis oculi lateral
- Brow lift — chemical brow elevation
- Bunny lines — nasalis muscle
- Chin dimpling — mentalis muscle relaxation
- DAO (lip corner depressor) — frown lift
- Lip lines (barcode lines) — orbicularis oris
- Neck bands — platysma relaxation
- Masseter jaw slimming — V-line face contouring
- TMJ disorder & bruxism (teeth grinding) treatment
- Migraine prevention — therapeutic Botox protocol
- Hyperhidrosis — underarm, palm, scalp sweating
Why a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian: Why a Plastic Surgeon’s Training Makes Every Botox Appointment Different
Most Botox in Santa Monica and Los Angeles is administered by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, or aestheticians working under physician supervision that often amounts to a signature on a protocol rather than genuine physician involvement in the injection decision. This is not a standard that Dr. Karamanoukian accepts at Kare Plastic Surgery. Every Botox patient at Kare is evaluated by Dr. Karamanoukian personally, who assesses the facial anatomy, muscle activity, and aesthetic goals before any injection is planned — and who either performs the injection himself or personally supervises and verifies every unit placed.
The clinical advantage of having a UCLA plastic surgery-trained physician perform your Botox is most visible in three specific situations. First, in the treatment of complex or advanced injection areas — brow lift Botox, DAO correction, masseter jaw slimming, platysmal band relaxation — where the safe and effective injection point is determined not by a protocol card but by a surgeon-level understanding of the three-dimensional anatomy of the relevant muscle group, its relationship to adjacent structures, and the specific vector of muscle pull that must be modified to achieve the desired aesthetic change. Second, in the treatment of the forehead and brow, where the balance between frontalis relaxation (removing the wrinkles) and frontalis function (maintaining brow elevation) must be calibrated with precision to avoid the brow ptosis that is the most common adverse outcome of forehead Botox performed by injectors without this anatomical understanding. Third, in the evaluation of patients for whom Botox is not the right answer — and a surgical option (brow lift, blepharoplasty, facelift) would produce a dramatically better and more durable result — an assessment that requires surgical training to make correctly.
“Every face is different. The distance between the brow and the orbital rim, the depth and insertion of the corrugator, the size and activity of the masseter — all of these vary between patients and determine exactly where Botox should be placed, at what depth, and in what volume. Treating every face the same way because it is faster produces average results. Examining each face carefully and placing each unit where the anatomy specifically calls for it produces results that look like you, only better.”
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS — Kare Plastic Surgery, Santa Monica
PrecisionAcademic plastic surgery & facial anatomy training
FACSDouble board-certified, Fellow ACS
20+ YrsFacial surgery & injection experience
Santa Monica804 7th Street — near Montana Avenue
Cosmetic Botox Treatments
Cosmetic Botox at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica
01
Forehead + Eyebrow Wrinkles
The horizontal wrinkles of the forehead develop from repeated contraction of the frontalis muscle — the broad, fan-shaped muscle spanning the entire forehead that elevates the brows and creates the surprised or worried expression lines that deepen progressively with age. Forehead Botox relaxes the frontalis to eliminate these lines, but requires careful dosing: too much frontalis relaxation not only removes the wrinkles but drops the brows — the most common adverse outcome of forehead Botox performed without a surgeon’s understanding of the brow-frontalis relationship. Dr. Karamanoukian doses forehead Botox conservatively and strategically, preserving sufficient frontalis activity to maintain natural brow position and movement while eliminating the static lines at rest.
Typical Units: 10–20 units; assessed individually based on frontalis strength and brow position; natural movement preserved
02
Frown Lines — “Elevens” (Glabellar Complex)
The glabellar frown lines — the vertical “11” lines between the brows and the horizontal lines at the bridge of the nose — are produced by the combined contraction of the corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii, and procerus muscles during squinting, concentrating, or expressing displeasure. These are among the most impactful lines aesthetically: deep glabellar frown lines create a persistently angry, stern, or worried appearance even at complete rest. Glabellar Botox is one of the most FDA-approved and well-studied applications of botulinum toxin and consistently produces among the most satisfying results of any cosmetic treatment — transforming the resting facial expression from tense or disapproving to relaxed and approachable.
Typical Units: 20–30 units to the glabellar complex; the FDA-approved indication for Botox in aesthetics; lasts 3–4 months with initial treatment, often longer with regular maintenance
03
Crow’s Feet & Eyelids
Crow’s feet — the fan-shaped lines radiating from the outer corners of the eyes — develop from repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle during squinting and smiling, compounded by the thin, delicate skin of the periorbital zone and chronic UV exposure from Santa Monica’s coastal sunshine. Crow’s feet Botox relaxes the lateral orbicularis to soften these lines at rest while preserving the natural crinkle that appears with genuine smiling — eliminating the appearance of age-related periorbital wrinkling without creating the uncanny, static eye appearance of over-treated orbicularis that prevents natural facial expression.
Typical Units: 10–15 units per side; preserves natural smiling animation; combined with forehead and glabellar treatment for comprehensive upper face rejuvenation
04
Botox Brow Lift
The chemical brow lift is one of the most technically elegant and most frequently misunderstood Botox applications — using selective relaxation of the orbital portion of the orbicularis oculi and the corrugator (brow depressors) to reduce the downward pull on the brow from below, allowing the frontalis to elevate the brow laterally without opposition. The result is a visible, natural elevation of the lateral brow tail that opens the eye, corrects mild lateral brow ptosis, and creates the subtle arch that gives the face a rested, refreshed appearance. The chemical brow lift does not produce the 5–10mm of brow elevation achievable with surgical brow lift surgery, but in patients with early brow descent, it produces a meaningful cosmetic improvement without any downtime.
Typical Units: 4–8 units per side strategically placed; 2–5mm lateral brow elevation; combined with forehead Botox for best results; excellent for patients not yet ready for surgical brow lift
05
Chin Dimpling
Chin dimpling — the irregular, cobblestone or orange-peel texture that appears on the chin surface during facial movement and increasingly at rest with age — is produced by hyperactivity and shortening of the mentalis muscle. As the mentalis contracts and loses flexibility with age, its irregular attachment pattern to the overlying dermis creates the pitted, dimpled chin texture that many patients find aesthetically displeasing. Mentalis Botox relaxes this contraction pattern, smoothing the chin surface and eliminating the pebble-chin appearance. This is a technically exacting injection requiring precise depth to avoid the depressor labii and achieve pure mentalis relaxation without lower lip weakness.
Typical Units: 4–8 units to mentalis; smooth chin surface; combined with DAO Botox for comprehensive lower face rejuvenation
06
DAO Botox
The depressor anguli oris (DAO) is the triangular muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward — producing the persistently sad, disapproving, or unhappy expression that many patients describe as their most frustrating facial aging change. As the DAO becomes hyperactive and the levator muscles lose relative strength with age, the mouth corners descend at rest, creating a permanent downturned appearance that makes the patient appear unhappy regardless of their emotional state. DAO Botox precisely relaxes the muscle’s downward pull, allowing the mouth corners to rest in a neutral or slightly elevated position that transforms the resting facial expression. This is one of the anatomically most precise injections in cosmetic practice: the DAO lies immediately adjacent to the depressor labii and the risorius, and imprecise placement diffuses Botox into these muscles, causing lip asymmetry.
Typical Units: 4–6 units per side; requires precise anatomical placement; combined with chin and lip line treatment; dramatic improvement in resting facial expression
Additional cosmetic Botox areas at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica: Bunny lines (nasalis muscle radial lines across the nose bridge), upper lip lines (orbicularis oris vertical barcode lines), gummy smile correction (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi relaxation to reduce upper gum show), platysmal neck bands (vertical neck cord relaxation), and Nefertiti lift (jawline definition through platysma and lower facial muscle treatment). All treatments are planned individually at consultation based on each patient’s specific anatomy and goals.
Masseter & Medical Botox
Masseter Botox, TMJ, Bruxism at Kare Plastic Surgery
Beyond cosmetic wrinkle treatment, botulinum toxin has powerful therapeutic applications that address functional and quality-of-life concerns for Santa Monica patients living with jaw pain, headaches, teeth grinding, and excessive sweating. Dr. Karamanoukian’s medical training allows him to approach these conditions with the clinical depth they deserve — assessing each patient’s specific anatomy, muscle hypertrophy, and symptom pattern before designing a treatment protocol.
Masseter Botox: Jaw Slimming & V-Line Facial Contouring
The masseter is the powerful rectangular muscle at the angle of the jaw responsible for chewing force. In patients with masseter hypertrophy — either from genetic muscle prominence or from years of clenching and grinding that has caused the masseter to hypertrophy from constant exercise — the lower face takes on a square, angular, or masculine contour that many patients find disproportionate to the oval or heart-shaped facial geometry they prefer.
Masseter Botox injected into the body of the masseter muscle at the angle of the jaw temporarily reduces the muscle’s contractile force, causing progressive muscular atrophy over 4–6 weeks as the over-exercised muscle is allowed to reduce in size without the ongoing stimulus of clenching. As the masseter shrinks, the lower face transitions from square to oval — the V-line or slimmed jawline effect that has become one of the most requested aesthetic procedures among Santa Monica patients of all ethnic backgrounds, particularly those of Asian heritage for whom the masseter-defined square jaw is a common anatomical feature.
Dr. Karamanoukian uses 25–50 units per side for initial masseter treatment, with follow-up assessment at 4 weeks to evaluate the degree of muscle response and determine whether additional units are needed. With regular treatment every 3–4 months, the masseter progressively atrophies, often allowing unit reduction over time as the muscle volume decreases and the slimming effect becomes more durable.
TMJ Disorder & Bruxism Treatment with Botox
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affects approximately 10 million Americans — producing jaw pain, ear pain, facial headaches, clicking or locking of the jaw, difficulty chewing, and the chronic myofascial pain pattern that makes it one of the most debilitating orofacial conditions in the Santa Monica and Los Angeles patient population. Bruxism — the habitual clenching or grinding of teeth during sleep or periods of stress — is both a cause and a consequence of TMJ disorder, as the masseter hyperactivity of bruxism increases the compressive load on the temporomandibular joint and produces the muscle hypertrophy that perpetuates the pain cycle.
Botox injected into the masseter (and, in some patients, the temporalis) reduces the maximum contractile force the jaw muscles can exert — decreasing joint loading, reducing myofascial pain, eliminating the morning jaw soreness and headaches of bruxism, and protecting dentition from the wear and chipping produced by grinding. Unlike bite guards that only cushion the contact between teeth without preventing the muscular force of grinding, masseter Botox addresses the source of the problem — the excessive muscle activity itself.
Most TMJ and bruxism patients notice meaningful improvement in jaw pain and morning headaches within 1–2 weeks of treatment. Treatment is repeated every 3–4 months; with regular sessions, the masseter progressively atrophies, reducing the clenching force and often allowing longer intervals between treatments.
Migraine Prevention with Botox
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) received FDA approval for the prevention of chronic migraines in 2010 — making it one of the most evidence-based neurotoxin applications in medicine. The FDA-approved PREEMPT protocol involves 155–195 units of Botox distributed across 31–39 specific injection sites in the forehead, temples, back of head, neck, and upper shoulders every 12 weeks. The mechanism is multifactorial: Botox blocks the release of CGRP and other nociceptive peptides from peripheral sensory neurons in the trigeminal system, reducing the peripheral sensitization that drives the central sensitization underlying chronic migraine.
For Santa Monica patients with chronic migraines (15 or more headache days per month), therapeutic Botox at Kare Plastic Surgery provides a physician-administered, FDA-approved preventive treatment that many patients find dramatically more effective than oral preventive medications. Dr. Karamanoukian administers the PREEMPT protocol and works in coordination with the patient’s neurologist when appropriate for complex migraine management.
Hyperhidrosis — Excessive Sweating Treatment
Primary hyperhidrosis — excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary), palms (palmar), or scalp that is disproportionate to the body’s thermoregulatory needs and resistant to antiperspirant management — is a profoundly quality-of-life-impairing condition that affects approximately 4.8% of the U.S. population. Botox received FDA approval for axillary hyperhidrosis in 2004 and is the most effective treatment for this condition short of surgical sympathectomy.
Botox injected intradermally in a grid pattern across the axillary vault blocks the sympathetic cholinergic innervation of the eccrine sweat glands, eliminating the excessive sweat production in the treated area for 6–12 months per treatment session. Most patients experience 80–90% reduction in axillary sweating within 2 weeks of treatment. For Santa Monica patients whose active lifestyle — beach fitness, outdoor dining on Montana Avenue, professional and social environments that make visible sweating particularly impactful — has been affected by hyperhidrosis, axillary Botox offers a dramatically effective, durable solution.
Treatment Reference
Botox Treatment Areas, Typical Units & Duration at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica
The following reference table outlines typical Botox unit ranges and expected duration for each treatment area at Kare Plastic Surgery. All units are individualized at consultation based on muscle mass, activity level, treatment history, and patient aesthetic goals.
| Treatment Area |
Muscle Targeted |
Typical Units |
Duration |
Primary Indication |
| Forehead lines |
Frontalis |
10–20 units |
3–4 months |
Horizontal wrinkles; brow position preserved |
| Frown lines (Elevens) |
Corrugator / Procerus |
20–30 units |
3–5 months |
Glabellar frown lines; FDA-approved |
| Crow’s feet |
Orbicularis oculi |
10–15 units/side |
3–4 months |
Periorbital fan lines; smile lines |
| Brow lift |
Brow depressors |
4–8 units/side |
3–4 months |
Lateral brow elevation; brow ptosis correction |
| Chin dimpling |
Mentalis |
4–8 units |
3–4 months |
Pebble chin; orange-peel texture |
| DAO (lip corners) |
Depressor anguli oris |
4–6 units/side |
3–4 months |
Downturned lip corners; sad expression at rest |
| Masseter jaw slimming |
Masseter |
25–50 units/side |
4–6 months |
Square jaw softening; V-line contouring; TMJ/bruxism |
| Neck bands |
Platysma |
25–50 units total |
3–4 months |
Vertical neck cords; Nefertiti lift |
| Migraines |
Multiple sites (PREEMPT) |
155–195 units |
12 weeks |
Chronic migraine prevention; FDA-approved |
| Hyperhidrosis (axillary) |
Eccrine sweat glands |
50 units/axilla |
6–12 months |
Excessive underarm sweating; FDA-approved |
Who We Treat
Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox in Santa Monica?
✓ Ideal Candidates for Botox at Kare Plastic Surgery — Santa Monica & Montana Avenue
- Adults in their late 20s through 70s experiencing forehead lines, glabellar frown lines, or crow’s feet that appear at rest and diminish the rested, refreshed facial expression they want to project professionally and socially in the active Santa Monica community
- Patients considering Botox for the first time who want the confidence of treatment by a board-certified plastic surgeon rather than a nurse or aesthetician — ensuring their anatomy is accurately assessed before any units are placed and their result is planned with surgical-level facial anatomy knowledge
- Preventive Botox patients in their late 20s and early 30s who want to reduce the muscle activity that creates dynamic lines before those lines etch into permanent static wrinkles — the most cost-effective use of Botox from a long-term skin aging perspective
- Patients with masseter hypertrophy — a prominent, square, or angular jawline from enlarged masseter muscles — who want non-surgical jaw slimming and V-line facial contouring achievable without surgery or fillers
- Those with TMJ disorder, bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), or jaw pain who have not achieved adequate relief from bite guards, NSAIDs, or other conservative management and want a physician’s assessment for therapeutic masseter Botox
- Patients suffering from chronic migraines (15 or more headache days per month) who want physician-administered FDA-approved preventive Botox per the PREEMPT protocol, coordinated with their neurologist’s overall migraine management plan
- Adults with primary axillary, palmar, or scalp hyperhidrosis whose excessive sweating significantly impacts quality of life — particularly active Santa Monica residents whose outdoor lifestyle, fitness activities, and professional environment make visible sweating especially impactful
- Botox patients who have been treated elsewhere with results they found unsatisfying — whether too frozen, asymmetric, or shorter-lasting than expected — and who want a second opinion consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon about the appropriate dosing and placement for their specific anatomy and goals
- Patients with downturned lip corners (DAO hyperactivity) who look perpetually sad or disapproving at rest and want non-surgical correction of the resting facial expression that this muscle imbalance creates
- Adults in good overall health without neuromuscular conditions (myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome), pregnancy or breastfeeding, or known allergy to botulinum toxin or albumin that contraindicate Botox treatment
Your Appointment Experience
What to Expect at Your Botox Appointment at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica
Physician Consultation & Facial Assessment
Every Botox appointment at Kare Plastic Surgery begins with Dr. Karamanoukian’s personal assessment of your facial anatomy at rest and in motion — evaluating the resting position and dynamic activity of every muscle group to be treated, the specific distribution and depth of the wrinkles or aesthetic concern, and the potential impact of any planned injection on adjacent muscles that must be preserved for natural facial movement. For masseter treatment, the muscle is palpated bilaterally during clenching to assess hypertrophy symmetry and volume. For new patients, a complete facial assessment is performed regardless of which specific treatment is requested, to identify any anatomical considerations that affect the treatment plan.
Treatment Planning & Injection Design
Based on the examination, Dr. Karamanoukian designs the injection protocol — specifying the anatomical targets, the injection depth, the unit distribution across the treatment area, and the number of injection points. For complex treatment areas (brow lift, DAO, masseter), the injection points are marked on the skin surface using a skin-safe marker, ensuring precise placement relative to the anatomical landmarks identified at examination. The total planned unit count is discussed transparently before any injection is initiated. For returning patients, the previous treatment’s unit count and response are reviewed and the current plan adjusted based on the observed duration and degree of effect from prior sessions.
Injection — 10–20 Minutes
The skin over the treatment area is cleansed with an alcohol-based antiseptic. Ice is applied for 30–60 seconds at each injection point immediately before the needle is placed — a simple but highly effective comfort measure that dramatically reduces the brief stinging sensation of each injection without any formal anesthetic cream or waiting time. A fine 30-gauge or 32-gauge needle is used for all facial Botox, and the smallest gauge needle appropriate for the area minimizes discomfort and bruising risk. Most full-face Botox treatments are completed in 10–20 minutes. Masseter injection takes 5 minutes per side. Hyperhidrosis treatment takes 20–30 minutes for both axillae.
Post-Treatment Care & Return to Normal Activity
Patients return to all normal activities immediately after Botox with no downtime. Patients are asked to remain upright for 4 hours after treatment (no lying flat), avoid vigorous facial massage, intense exercise, or heat exposure (sauna, hot yoga) for 24 hours, and refrain from rubbing or manipulating the treated areas. Small injection-site bumps or mild redness resolve within 20–30 minutes. Occasional small bruises at injection sites resolve within 3–7 days. Results begin to appear at 3–5 days for cosmetic areas and reach their full effect at 10–14 days — masseter slimming takes 4–6 weeks for visible volume reduction as the muscle progressively atrophies.
Follow-Up & Maintenance Schedule
A complimentary two-week follow-up assessment is offered for all first-time Botox patients — allowing Dr. Karamanoukian to evaluate the result at full Botox effect and make any adjustments indicated before the treatment has been accepted as complete. Cosmetic Botox maintenance is recommended every 3–4 months, though many patients find their interval extends with regular treatment as the trained muscles develop smaller resting contraction habits. Masseter patients are typically reassessed at 4 weeks after initial treatment; masseter maintenance every 4–6 months. Migraine PREEMPT protocol is administered every 12 weeks. Hyperhidrosis treatment every 6–12 months.
Find Us in Santa Monica
Kare Plastic Surgery — Botox Near Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
Kare Plastic Surgery & Skin Health Center is conveniently located at 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 — just steps from Montana Avenue, easily accessible from Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, West Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills. Our Santa Monica location serves the North of Montana, South of Montana, and Wilshire Corridor neighborhoods with same-day and next-day Botox appointments for established patients.
Practice Information
- Address: 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403
- Phone: (310) 998-5533
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
- Neighborhood: Near Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
- Zip Code: 90403
- Closest Cross Street: 7th Street & Montana Avenue corridor
- Same-Day Botox: Available for established patients
- Parking: Street parking and nearby structure parking available
Neighborhoods Served
- Santa Monica, Westwood, West LA
- North of Montana Avenue — Santa Monica 90402
- South of Montana Avenue — Santa Monica 90403
- Brentwood — 90049
- Pacific Palisades — 90272
- Malibu — 90265
- Beverly Hills — 90210
- West Los Angeles — 90025
- Westwood & Bel Air
- Mar Vista & Culver City
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox in Santa Monica
Where can I get Botox near Montana Avenue in Santa Monica?
Kare Plastic Surgery & Skin Health Center at 804 7th Street in Santa Monica is one of the closest physician-supervised Botox practices to the Montana Avenue neighborhood, and the only one in Santa Monica where a UCLA-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon personally performs or directly supervises every injection. Call (310) 998-5533 for same-day or next-day Botox appointments. The practice serves the North of Montana, South of Montana, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Beverly Hills communities and is accessible from all areas of the Westside.
How does masseter Botox slim the jaw?
Masseter Botox injects botulinum toxin into the body of the masseter muscle at the angle of the jaw, reducing the muscle’s ability to contract at full force. As the over-exercised masseter is relieved of its habitual high-force contraction pattern — from clenching, grinding, or natural hypertrophy — the muscle gradually atrophies (reduces in volume) over 4–6 weeks. The lower face progressively narrows from a square or angular jawline toward a softer, more oval or V-shaped contour. Results last 4–6 months; with regular treatment, the masseter continues to atrophy, often requiring progressively fewer units over time for equivalent jaw slimming effect.
Can Botox treat TMJ pain and teeth grinding in Santa Monica?
Yes — masseter Botox is one of the most effective interventions for TMJ disorder and bruxism available in Santa Monica. By reducing the maximum contractile force of the masseter, Botox decreases the compressive load on the temporomandibular joint, reduces myofascial pain, and eliminates the morning jaw soreness and headaches that characterize TMJ disorder and bruxism. Unlike bite guards that only cushion tooth contact without preventing the muscle force of grinding, masseter Botox addresses the source of the problem. Most patients notice significant improvement in jaw pain and headaches within 1–2 weeks. Call Kare Plastic Surgery at (310) 998-5533 for a TMJ Botox consultation in Santa Monica.
How long does Botox last in Santa Monica?
Most cosmetic Botox treatments last 3–4 months for first-time patients. With regular maintenance, many patients find their interval extends to 4–5 months as the trained muscles develop smaller resting contraction patterns. Masseter Botox typically lasts 4–6 months for jaw slimming and bruxism. Hyperhidrosis Botox lasts 6–12 months. FDA-approved migraine prevention Botox (PREEMPT protocol) is administered every 12 weeks. Factors that reduce duration include high muscle mass, high metabolic rate from intense exercise (common in the Santa Monica beach fitness community), and sun exposure — all of which can accelerate Botox metabolism slightly.
What is the difference between Botox and Dysport or Xeomin?
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) are all FDA-approved botulinum toxin A formulations that produce equivalent clinical effects through the same mechanism of action. The primary practical differences are unit dosing (Dysport requires approximately 2.5–3 units for every 1 unit of Botox due to lower unit potency) and onset (Dysport may produce initial effect 1–2 days earlier than Botox). Xeomin is a “naked” toxin without the complexing proteins found in Botox and Dysport, theoretically reducing the risk of antibody formation in patients treated very frequently. Dr. Karamanoukian uses the formulation most appropriate for each patient’s specific treatment area and history at Kare Plastic Surgery.
How much does Botox cost in Santa Monica near Montana Avenue?
Botox pricing at Kare Plastic Surgery is provided at consultation based on the number of units required for the specific treatment areas planned. Physician-supervised Botox by a board-certified plastic surgeon at Kare reflects the level of clinical expertise and anatomical precision that distinguishes this standard of care from medspa pricing. Many patients find that the accuracy of placement — which maximizes the aesthetic effect of each unit placed — produces results that are more satisfying and longer-lasting than lower-cost alternatives, making the cost-per-result comparison favorable. Contact our office at (310) 998-5533 for current pricing and to schedule your consultation at 804 7th Street, Santa Monica.
Book Your Botox Appointment in Santa Monica Today
Physician-supervised Botox by a UCLA-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon — near Montana Avenue, serving Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Beverly Hills. Same-day appointments available for established patients. Call (310) 998-5533 or book online.
(310) 998-5533 — Call Now Book Online