AngelaThis post shares my personal experience with a complimentary treatment provided by Sisu. All opinions are my own.
Between parenting three little kids, a high-stress career, and the general chaos of everyday life, I’ve apparently been carrying a lot of stress in my jaw.
I’ve been a jaw clencher for years, often without even realizing it, especially at night. A couple of years ago, things got so bad that I actually cracked a molar from grinding my teeth. (Yes, really.)
I’ve gotten things somewhat under control since then, but the jaw tension and those annoying morning headaches never completely went away.
Until recently.
An Unexpected Use for Botox
My dentist had actually suggested looking into Botox for jaw clenching a while back. I’d been considering it, but never quite got around to trying it.
I’ve recently started going to Sisu for a little Botox here and there as part of my approach to aging gracefully (hello, forehead!), and decided this might finally be the time to give it a try.
The treatment is called masseter Botox, named for the muscles along your jaw that help you chew and, in my case, apparently do a lot of unnecessary overtime.
The idea is that Botox relaxes these muscles, reducing the force of jaw clenching and teeth grinding. And while I’d initially thought of Botox as more of a cosmetic treatment, this was an entirely different reason to consider it.
And let me tell you, I was not prepared for how much I would love the results.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I woke up without a headache.
Seriously. That alone was enough to make me a believer.
I know everyone’s experience is different, and it can take a little time to see the full effects, but the improvement I’ve noticed has been pretty remarkable.
After years of waking up with tension in my jaw and those frustrating headaches, it felt like such a relief.
A Few Things Worth Knowing About Masseter Botox
Of course, masseter Botox isn’t necessarily the answer for everyone who clenches or grinds their teeth.
While Botox is FDA-approved for several medical and cosmetic uses, treating jaw clenching and teeth grinding is considered an off-label use in the United States. The treatment can help reduce the force of clenching, but it doesn’t necessarily address the underlying causes, and research into its effectiveness is still evolving.
There are also potential side effects, including temporary chewing weakness, discomfort, and changes to your smile or facial appearance. And the results aren’t permanent, so maintaining the effects may mean repeat treatments.
Morning headaches can have several different causes, too, so it’s worth talking with your dentist or healthcare provider rather than assuming they’re related to grinding your teeth.
For me, having already discussed my clenching with my dentist, I felt comfortable exploring the option with a qualified injector.
There’s also a potential cosmetic benefit: because the masseter muscles can become enlarged from frequent clenching, relaxing them may gradually make the lower face appear a bit slimmer.
It’s not something I’ve noticed yet (and certainly not why I tried the treatment!), but I wouldn’t complain if it happened. Of course, changes in facial shape aren’t necessarily desirable for everyone, either.
A Little Self-Care Goes a Long Way
I’ve come to think of this as a little more than a beauty treatment.
When you’re balancing little kids, career responsibilities, and approximately a million things happening at once, finding ways to take care of yourself matters, too.
Sometimes that means addressing the physical ways stress shows up in your body.
I’m still very much in the camp of wanting to age gracefully and look like myself, just a well-rested version. But this is one treatment I hadn’t really considered until recently, and it’s officially earned a spot in my routine.
A Little About Sisu
If you’ve been seeing Sisu pop up around NYC, you’re not imagining it! They have several locations around the city, plus clinics in the UK and Ireland.
Jason at their Upper West Side location has quickly become a favorite of mine. He’s wonderful, and I really trust him.
One thing I especially appreciated about this treatment was that he took the time to thoroughly assess whether I was a good candidate before proceeding. It wasn’t simply a matter of walking in and asking for Botox in my jaw.
My dentist had already suggested exploring the treatment, but I’d definitely recommend having that conversation with your own dentist or a qualified medical professional before deciding whether it’s right for you.
And because I’ve had such a positive experience, I asked Sisu if they’d extend a little something to the Bébés in the City community. They came through!
You can use my code BEBES75 for $75 off your first treatment.
Hopefully that’s helpful if you’ve been thinking about trying something!
And as always, I would never recommend something here that I wouldn’t genuinely spend my own money on. Even though this treatment was gifted, it’s something I’ve loved enough that I’ll absolutely be going back.
Disclosure: My treatment at Sisu was complimentary. All opinions and experiences are my own. Results vary, and this post is intended to share my personal experience, not provide medical advice.
