If you’re noticing early sagging around the jawline or neck but aren’t quite ready for filler or surgery, there’s a new tweakment catching attention: Gonial Angle Botox. While it’s not exactly new to injectors, it’s finally getting a name—and a viral moment.
“‘Gonial angle Botox’ is part of a technique we’ve used for years called the Nefertiti Lift,” explains Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. “We inject Botox into the upper part of the platysma muscle, which runs from the collarbone up the sides of the neck and can pull the lower face downward as it contracts. When we relax it, some patients get a subtle lifting and sculpting effect along the jawline.”
Featured Experts
- Dr. Daniel Schlessinger is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Dr. Tess Mauricio is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego
- Dr. Kenneth Beer is a board-certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL
What exactly is the gonial angle?
The gonial angle refers to the sharp corner at the back of your jawline, where the vertical and horizontal parts of your mandible meet. That point, also known as the mandibular angle, is where injectors now target Botox to strategically weaken the platysma’s downward pull.
“By softening that muscle tension in this specific area, you can define the jawline and even get some central facial lift without using any filler,” says San Diego dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD.
How is this different from masseter Botox?
Don’t confuse this with masseter Botox, which is injected into the chewing muscles for facial slimming or jaw pain. “The masseter sits higher and deeper than the platysma, even though they’re close together near the angle of the jaw,” Dr. Schlessinger explains.
“Masseter Botox slims the face by shrinking the muscle, while gonial angle Botox lifts and defines by releasing tension from the platysma.” In short, one is for shrinking, the other for lifting.
Who’s a good candidate?
This technique works best for people with mild sagging who still have decent jawline definition. “It’s ideal for early aging changes,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “People who start to see heaviness or downward drag in the lower face can benefit, especially if they have a very active platysma muscle—you can test it by saying ‘EEEE’ and watching for prominent neck bands.”
Dr. Mauricio agrees and adds that results are especially satisfying in patients who want definition around the jawline but want to skip filler altogether.
But don’t expect dramatic results. “I’d rate the changes as ‘meh,’” says West Palm Beach, FL, dermatologist Kenneth R. Beer, MD. “You’ll get mild improvement in neck lines and maybe a small lift in the angle of the jaw. But the effect is subtle.”
Precision Matters
Because the neck is home to many important nerves and blood vessels, this is not a DIY or discount treatment. “The neck contains major nerves and muscles involved in facial expression and swallowing,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “If Botox is injected too close to the midline or too deep, it can temporarily affect smiling or even swallowing.”
That’s why visiting an experienced injector is key. “Understanding the anatomy of the platysma and using the right dose in the right spot makes all the difference,” adds Dr. Mauricio. Over-injecting or poor placement can also affect neighboring muscles or salivary glands, leading to unwanted effects.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a subtle, low-commitment lift—especially in the early stages of aging—gonial angle Botox might be your next tweakment. It’s not dramatic, but for the right candidate, it could deliver just enough of a lift to delay the need for more aggressive intervention.
As Dr. Mauricio notes, the technique can redefine the jawline and lift the lower face with no filler needed.
