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When a Doctor Injects Botox Around Mouth for Smokers Lines, Are They Injecting into the Lips or the Muscles Around the Mouth?

asked 1 year ago by tati492 in Costa Mesa
Latest answer by Michele S. Green, MD
Question viewed 472 times
Tags: injection site, normal, smokers lines

I had this done once and was extremely pleased with results, then the second time(last week) had it done at the same place but by the NP instead of Dr. One side of my mouth doesn't turn up and the other does! Help.

18 answers to When a Doctor Injects Botox Around Mouth for Smokers Lines, Are They Injecting into the Lips or the Muscles Around the Mouth?

Botox is used to soften lip lines

Botox can be injected into the muscle but I much prefer a little Restylane injected directly into the lip line, followed by some Fraxel 1550 laser to smooth the lines of the upper lip. I see great results with this combination.

Michele S. Green, MD
New York Dermatologist

Botox for smoothening lip lines

Botox is injected by many doctors into the skin above the muscle, but some inject it into the muscle. It also depends on where on the face the injection is to take place and the concern of bruising. The exact location and number of units is more of an issue as the muscle underlying the skin insertion will ultimately be affected whether it was injected directly or affected by the proximity of the placement.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Botox for lip wrinkles

It must be understood there are certain rules: 1) your doctor must stay close to the wet border,.....inject into the muscles on the skin side of the wet border 2) do not inject near the corners of the lip 3) doctor should inject i/2 and 1 inch out from the center of the lip on either side 4) use 1-2 units per site

Arnold W. Klein, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox reduces muscle contraction around the mouth

Botox is great at reducing muscle contractions around the mouth-- which is the cause of those vertical lip lines. Unlike fillers which are injected into the lines themselves, Botox is injected into the muscles. I am always very careful around the lips, a little botox goes a long way. Sounds like you have some assymmetry as a result of the treatment. You may just need 1-2 units more to one side to even out the effects. I suggest you see the doctor again to... more

Margaret Mann, MD
Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox around the mouth

When a doctor injects Botox around the mouth for smokers' lines, it is injected into the upper lip skin portion (the "mustache" area). If you look in the mirror and purse your lips, you'll see those pesky lines. Tiny needles are used to inject into the lines or to the side of the lines. The injections do not got into the lips themselves.

Deborah Sarnoff, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox for smoker's lines around the lips

As others have noted, the neuromodulation effects occur in the muscles responsible for the unwanted lines. Around the mouth, the relaxation can lead to weakness of contraction which will soften the harsh lines. This may also create the inability to pucker, kiss, whistle, suck through straws, and may even affect speech and enunciation. Some patients report enough dyskinesis (uncoordinated movement) to bite their lips inadvertently. Your physician may be very... more

Randy Wong, MD
Honolulu Plastic Surgeon

Botox in the Perioral Region

Botox is always injected into a muscle, unlike artificial fillers that are injected into soft tissue. Botox is a neuromodulator, and its action targets muscle activity, specifically weakening target muscles to attain the desired aesthetic improvement. Perioral rejuvenation with Botox requires a very experienced injector, and should be initially injected in small quantities to prevent complications and establish a baseline for future injections. To treat "smoker's... more

Anthony Corrado, DO
Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox can be very helpful for treatment of "smoker's lines" around the mouth

Botox can be very helpful for treatment of "smoker's lines" around the mouth. The main risks include asymmetry (more/ less effect on one side) and involvement of muscles that the injector did not intend to weaken. That is likely what is happening in your case as you've noticed some difficulty elevating one side of your mouth. The upside is that this effect is temporary and will wear off. I would recommend returning to your injector to mention your concerns. It is possible,... more

Stephen Weber, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox can soften lines around the mouth

I have used Botox to soften unwanted lines and wrinkles of the forehead and face, including around the lips for over 20 years. When using Botox to soften 'smokers lines", IMHO, you need to decrease the number of Botox units used to avoid over-weakening the lip muscles. The first time is a learning curve, for each patient and once the exact location and amount of Botox units is established, this needs to be repeated by whomever does the injection...RN, NP or MD. more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox Can Be Very Tricky to Use For Lip Wrinkles

I agree that Botox can be quite tricky to use on the lips and that hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are much safer and more effective for lip rejuvenation. When I do use Botox for lip lines I start with extremely small doses first to judge the response. These injections have to be done carefully and symmetrically by someone with a great deal of experience. As always, please remember your results will depend upon the skill and experience of the physician who injected you... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

Botox can be useful to address smoker's lines

Botox, in small amounts, can work well to reduce “smoker’s lines” when injected appropriately around the lips. Since Botox is intended to soften the fine lines caused by muscle movement, it needs to be injected to the “white lip” and not into the actual “red lip.” Depending on the amount of Botox that was injected, the asymmetry may improve slightly over the next few weeks. I would make an appointment to see the physician and discuss your concerns.... more

Sarmela Sunder, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox for smoker's lines requires expertise

Botox, like other neuromodulators such as Dysport, is injected into hyperactive muscles that cause wrinkles including smoker's lines. It would never be directed directly into the lips as you would with fillers, for example Juvederm or Restylane. More common areas for Botox are the crow's feet and the vertical furrows between the eyebrows. Because the muscles around the mouth affect the movement of the lips, special expertise is required but it can work very well as you know. more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Botox for Smoker's Lines.

Botox can be beneficial to reduce prominent vertical lines around the mouth or "smoker's lines" when it is injected specifically and in small amounts. The Botox is injected into the muscle, attached directly to the skin. The direct attachment of the muscle to the overlying skin, is what allows you to pucker and purse your lips. cautious and strategic weakening of the action of the muscle with Botox treatments lessens the prominence of the vertical lines, but over-treatment can... more

Anifat Balogun, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox vs. Juvederm around the mouth.

I don't think patients get as much for their money with Botox around the mouth vs. Juvederm. I think patients who get Juvederm get a better result of lessening the lines.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox for Lip LInes

Botox, especially when combined with fillers, can achieve excellent results for lip lines. The Botox is typically injected into the "white" lip rather than the "red" lip. As has been pointed out, these injections can occasionally result in asymmetries in movement of the mouth, and difficulty in pursing the lips. Your best chance of achieving an excellent result is to see someone who performs these procedures frequently, but even then occasional... more

Alan Brackup, MD
Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox for lip lines

While any of the neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, PureTox and Xeomin can be used to minimize the muscles around the mouth, this is a VERY technical injection that is best done by a VERY experienced physician. I rely more on fillers like Juvederm or Restylane to soften lip lines. These prodcuts are placed both in the lips and diluted to be able to be placed into the verticle lines. Again, I recommend only seeing a physician who is expert in this procedure.

Mitchel Goldman, MD
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon

Perioral BOTOX is unsatisfactory for this very reason.

Yes tiny does of BOTOX can ease perioral lines. However, it can also weaken the muscles that purse the lip. Treatments may not be symmetric. The use of fillers in the lips and periorally is a much better option. At this point, the only option is to let the BOTOX wear off. Please do not double down on this bad treatment by letting you "doctor" inject more BOTOX.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox around the mouth

Botox can be very effective for vertical lines around the mouth but must be used with caution. I always start out on the low end of dosing, and increase to effectiveness. The injections should be in the muscle, and should be very symmetric. I would recommend going back to the practitioner who performed the procedure for evaluation. Hope this helps.