What kind of jaw and cheek fat do contour injections work on, and which faces are they wrong for?

What do contour injections actually reduce?

Contour injections reduce the subcutaneous fat just beneath the skin. They do not change bone or muscle size, so a meaningful change is only expected when fat is what makes the face look round.

Where the solution is injected, fat volume shrinks little by little and trapped swelling drains, so the rounded lines under the jaw and in the cheeks become more defined. Unlike liposuction, which removes a large amount at once, contour injections reduce fat in small steps over several sessions.

Serene Clinic's Face Lean injection is formulated without steroids. We use the Face Lean injection to treat wider areas evenly, and divided doses of the face contour injection to refine small areas such as under the chin or the lower cheeks.

Which jaw and cheek fat responds well to contour injections?

If the area feels soft and thick when you pinch it between your thumb and index finger, contour injections usually fit well. This kind of fat often stays on the face even after weight loss, and contour injections can target it area by area.

• Fullness under the chin that blurs the line between jaw and neck in profile
• Rounded lower cheeks beside the corners of the mouth that make the lower face look wide
• Fat sitting just below the jawline that hides its angle
• People in their 20s to 40s whose skin elasticity is still good and whose main issue is fat volume

Which faces see little change from contour injections?

If a wide jaw is not caused by fat, contour injections change little. A common example: if the area below the ear bulges firmly when you clench your back teeth, the chewing muscle (masseter) is the cause, and jaw Botox is the right choice.

If the area in front of the ear and under the jaw looks soft and puffy but the fat layer is thin, enlarged salivary glands may be the reason. For these faces we also consider salivary gland Botox, and we tell them apart by examination.

When the cheeks and jawline have dropped with age, sagging is the cause rather than excess fat. Reducing fat alone can make the skin look looser, so we first reposition tissue with lifting such as Xerf or Ulthera.

We also think carefully before using contour injections on cheeks that are already hollow below the cheekbones, or on naturally slim faces with little facial fat. Reducing fat where there is little to spare can make hollows more visible and the face look older.

How are they different from jaw Botox and ONDA lifting?

Jaw Botox reduces muscle volume; contour injections reduce fat volume. Many faces have both, so when muscle and fat are both thick, we sometimes plan jaw Botox and contour injections for the same period.

ONDA lifting delivers microwave energy to the deep fat layer to reduce volume while also addressing firmness. When fat is broad and thick or mixed with sagging, ONDA lifting fits better; contour injections suit fine refinement of small areas or tidying what remains after a device treatment.

Neither is simply better; their roles depend on the cause and the area. At consultation we look at fat thickness, muscle size and skin elasticity together, then decide whether to do one or combine them.

How many sessions are needed, and how long do results last?

Rather than a single shot, contour injections are usually planned as about 3 sessions, 1–2 weeks apart. With more fat or a wider area, we add sessions and adjust the dose based on the response.

Changes appear gradually over 2–4 weeks. Right after a session, swelling can make the area look bigger, so it is best to judge results a few weeks later.

Reduced fat tends to stay reduced for a relatively long time unless you gain a lot of weight. Face shape still changes with weight and aging, so we refine again after an interval if needed.

What are the side effects and aftercare?

After contour injections, the area may swell and feel sore or warm for a few days, and bruising can occur. Most of this settles on its own, but rarely a palpable nodule, left–right difference or infection can develop, so contact us right away if something seems wrong.

We postpone treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if there is inflammation at the injection site. Blood thinners can make bruising more likely, so please tell us in advance.

• Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise on the day of treatment.
• Avoid saunas and other hot environments until the swelling settles.
• Do not rub the area hard or get a strong massage.
• If bruising or pain keeps getting worse, come in to have it checked.

Prices (as of the October 2026 menu)

The dose and number of sessions depend on the area and amount of fat, so we advise after consultation.

Frequently asked questions