How many Botox units are needed for upper lip plumping?

I've heard that you can use Botox around the upper lip to make the fuller. How many units does that take?

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13 answers to “How many Botox units are needed for...”

A: Be careful with lip Botox

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD

I agree with most of the others here.  Please be cautious of getting Botox into your lips.  While some have reported fair results in getting rid of vertical lip lines, there is a significant risk of lip weakness (which is much more unattractive than the lines). Botox is a great medication when used... more

A: 5-8 units usually does it

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Miss Nataleigh, Botox can indeed be used to augment the lips.  It does not have a direct filling effect, but by relaxing the muscle which tightens the upper lip in a horizontal direction it allows the upper lip to evert slightly, showing more of the vermilion (pink portion of the lip).   It... more

A: Botox does not plump the lip

Ronald Shelton, MD

Botox can be used on the upper lip as a non-approved use for the vertical lines. Botox doesn’t plump the lip. You would need a filler for that. Botox can be used to affect the muscle of the skin-colored upper lip (moustache area, not pink lip) to minimize a “gummy” smile. There are some... more

A: Botox DOES NOT PLUMP

David Shafer, MD

There is a great misconception that Botox Cosmetic plumps the lips or helps fill out smile lines. This is absolutely false. If there is a doctor or injector telling you this, then do not let them touch you. Botox Cosmetic works by paralyzing the underlying muscles which helps reduce the overlying dynamic... more

A: Botox is not used to plump upper lip

David A. Robinson, MD

If what you are truly looking for is to plump up your upper lip, I would recommend using a soft tissue filler (Restylane, Juvederm).  Usually 1 syringe is enough.  If you are looking to address some fine lines on your upper lip then perhaps Botox may be of benefit.  The number of units I use is... more

A: Sounds like the doctor has no idea what they are doing...

Mary Lupo, MD

If this is really even a doctor. Please be careful. There are so many spas and salons doing things that they have no training or qualification to be performing. Chances are, if someone told you Botox plumps lips, they will do something wrong. Botox IS used in the fine purse-string lipstick lines, but even... more

A: Fillers such as Juvederm/Restylane are best to plump lips.

Sanjay Grover, MD

Fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are best to plump lips as they are fillers.  Botox, on the other hand, effects the nerve impulses to muscles that create lines or wrinkles (dynamic rhytids).  Having said this, I have on occasion injected Botox around the lips for "smoker's lines" and... more

A: Botox will not plump your lips!

Brian S. Glatt, MD

If you are being treated by a physician who claims that Botox treatments to your lips will result in plumping, please run.  Botox will not plump your lips.  Plumping or filling of lips can easily be performed safely with a variety of filler materials.  Botox can, however, be used to soften very... more

A: Botox is not generally used to plump the lips.

Bryan K. Chen, MD

Botox can be used to soften the lines that occur while pursing the lips (which incidentally is not caused by smoking).  Fillers such as restylane and juvederm, however, are excellent for plumping the lips.  Generally, 1 syringe of material or less is all that is needed to achieve the desired result... more

A: Botox will not make the lips fuller

Stella Desyatnikova, MD

Botox injection will not make the lip fuller, but it can create a slightly fuller pout and enhance results from Juvederm or Restylane filler injection. It is usually a really small dose, 2 - 4 units per lip.

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