Enhancing Your Smile: The Magic of Botox® for Smile Lifts

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

The aging process is inevitable. It shows up in all sorts of ways — and in all sorts of places on our faces, the most visible part of our bodies.

One unfortunate side effect of aging is the mouth’s tendency to turn downward over time. This is most noticeable around the corners of the mouth and often accompanies the appearance of frown lines and other fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. The effect is often caused by overactive depressor anguli oris muscles that tug the sides of the mouth downward, creating the illusion that you’re frowning all the time.

Fortunately, there’s a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that can restore a youthful, glowing smile, at least temporarily. It’s Botox®, and it’s the most popular injectable cosmetic procedure available right now.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a smile lift with Botox (and how to decide if it’s right for you).

Getting a Smile Lift With Botox: How It Works

A smile lift procedure targets the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscles on both sides of the mouth. Using proper injection technique and taking care not to inject any adjacent muscles, the provider injects three to six units of Botox per side. The exact amount varies depending on patient-specific factors like sex, weight, and the severity of the condition.

The provider may target multiple injection sites on each side of the mouth to ensure that the medication infuses the entire muscle. The goal is to relax the muscles responsible for pulling down the mouth, but some procedures involve targeted injections near the upper lip as well.

Botox Smile Lift Results: What to Expect

A properly done smile lift treatment should noticeably lift the corners of the mouth for three to six months. It may also temporarily smooth other fine lines and wrinkles in the area around the mouth, such as smokers’ lines (lip lines) around the lips. Results begin to appear within days and take full effect within two weeks.

Side Effects and Other Concerns

Like any cosmetic treatment that involves injecting Botox, a Botox smile lift can have side effects. Most are mild and temporary; they include swelling or bruising at the injection site, injection site itching, and very mild flulike symptoms.

If you experience signs of an infection at the injection site, such as redness or high fever, seek medical attention. Consult your provider if you experience signs of “migrating” Botox, such as “frozen smile.”

Botox Smile Lift vs. PDO Thread Lift

The results of Botox treatment for drooping smile are similar to what we see after PDO thread lift treatments. PDO lift results can last longer, sometimes as long as 12 months, and may be accompanied by supplemental dermal filler injections.

Botox Smile Lift vs. Surgical Facelift

A Botox smile lift is much less invasive than a surgical facelift, but it’s also much less permanent. This is why it’s a popular precursor for surgical interventions; patients may use Botox to “try out” a lifted smile for a few months. But it’s important for patients to understand the risks inherent in facial surgery, and many patients who are good candidates for Botox are not good candidates for surgery.