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Botox Affecting Upper Lip Movement?

Can Botox for crows feet and frown lines affect your upper lip? I can't move my right upper lip and I look deformed when I smile.

Asked 34 months ago by margie whiteley
Sort 4 expert answers by:
+1

Do not panic; it will go away

If this is from the Botox inection don’t panic. It will go away, but in can take a few months. If the Crows feet are injected at the bottom and your muscle which allows you to smile is a strong muscle and is prominent near the lower Crows feet than it may have been temporarily affected.
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Yes, if it migrates

Some less experienced injectors, when attempting to improve lower crow's feet, accidentally hit the zygomatic major muscle. This would result in an inability to smile on that side. It is, unfortunately, going to last at least one month, but will go away completely by 4 months. good luck.
Mary Lupo, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Possible but not likely

Generally, when Botox is injected for treatment of the crow's feet, it is placed superficially into the orbicularis oculi muscle. Very deep to these alon the cheek bone are the zygomatic muscles which move the upper lip. Botox usually remains very localized and it is unlikely that it would spread this deep if injected superficially but it is a possiblity. The difficult thing to predict about Botox is that no matter who injects it, it can spread up to 3 cm from the injection site. It is kind... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Shouldn't, but maybe?

I assume that the crows feet and frown lines were around your eyes. I am hard pressed to understand how the Botox could affect your smile/lip function. However, you are experiencing some loss of function. I would run this by your doctor. The good news is that it will only be temporary, but still check. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
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