An article in the November issue of Journal of Craniofacial Surgery has pointed to Botox (botulinum toxin type A) as a possible non-invasive solution for those suffering from masseteric muscle hypertrophy (MMH).

The rare condition sees patients develop a painless enlargement of the cheek muscles, causing their face to appear swollen.

But according to study author Dr Gianpaolo Tartaro of Seconda Universita degli Studi di Napoli in Italy, Botox can be used in place of plastic surgery to treat the condition.

The study involved injecting Botox directly into the swollen muscle of five patients, causing the muscles to relax.

Within an average of 20 days, swelling had reduced enough for the original shape of the face to return somewhat.

"[T]his study suggests that the use of botulinum toxin type A can be established as a simple, predictable, alternative facial contouring procedure," wrote Dr Tartaro.

Botox has become the most popular method of cosmetic surgery in the world and attracts an increasingly diverse range of customers.