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How Safe is Botox when Applied to the Upper Lip for Smoker's Lines?
asked 7 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 490 times
Tags: wrinkles, filler, recommendation, smokers lines, upper lip, wrinkling skin
Considering the fragility and the sensitivity of the skin area, is Botox a recommended option?
21 answers to How Safe is Botox when Applied to the Upper Lip for Smoker's Lines?
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Botox for Smoker's Lines?
Hello. Botox for smoker's lines is very effective and safe when used properly for smoker's lines. The risk would be overuse of the product which may cause a marked change in the sensitivity of the lip as well as changes in the shape of the mouth or smile.
Because we do not use a lot of Botox in this area, 6-8 units is maximum and we start at 4, we typically combine the Botox with Restylane. Botox relaxes the muscles that "purse" or tighten the upper...
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Botox for the upper lip smoker's lines
Upper lip veritcal creases are caused by multiple factors, different for every patient. Smoking, chronic sundamage, dentition and age contribute to the lines. Some lines have been present for so many decades that elimination of the muscle activity below the skin, which had caused the skin to "accordion" and create these lines, won't make the lines go away. Often these stubborn lines can benefit by using Botox pre resurfacing as an off-label...
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Filler injections work better!
There are better options than Botox for smokers lines. I prefer either Laser of filler injections.
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Botox for smoker's lines
Injecting Botox to the upper lip is considered an "off label" use of Botox. It is very safe if the Botox is delivered in tiny amounts, strategically and symmetrically placed. If too much Botox is injected, it may become difficult to sip from a straw, whistle, or say certain words that start with the letter "P" or "B", etc. This is the reason it is best to seek attention from a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
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Deborah Sarnoff, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
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Botox for smoker's lines
Maybe I am just a chicken but I much prefer filler for smoker's line. I just think that Botox in that area is too risky. Even a little over injection can really cause a problem with a crooked smile or even trouble eating or speaking.
I inject the individual lines with filler and then do just a little filler along the vermillion border. I really love Prevelle for this area but most patients want a longer lasting filler such as Restylane or Juvederm. If...
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Fillers are best for smoker’s lines
Generally, smoker’s lines are treated with dermal filler like Restylane or Juvederm not Botox. Smoker’s lines appear due to a loss of volume in the area, so using fillers will restore the volume and decrease the appearance of the unwanted lines. In some cases, Botox can be used as well to treat the lines, but you should see an experienced injector to see what is best for your situation.
Mitchel Goldman, MD
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
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How Safe is Botox when Applied to the Upper Lip for Smoker's Lines?
In my opinion, very safe and highly effective. I have used Botox to soften lines around the lips and mouth for well over 15 years and I believe the results to be superior to any resurfacing technique including peels and Lasers. You do, IMO, need to limit the amount of neurotoxin used to avoid weakening the muscles too much.
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Botox is one part of the treatment for smokers' lip lines
Botox, or other muscle relaxers like Dysport and the new Xeomin, are one part of the treatment of smokers' upper lip lines. Part of the lines comes from the wear and tear of the puckering of the lips during smoking. Slightly relaxing the muscles helps reduce the intensity of that wear and tear, which helps to slow down the worsening of the lines. But, the lines also need to be filled in to look better; that is usually done with either Restylane or Juvederm. Plus,...
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Margaret Weiss, MD
Baltimore Dermatologist
Baltimore Dermatologist
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Is Botox Safe for the Smokers Line?
Safety is not really the issue- Botox is safe in normal doses everytime. The real question is if it is effective in removing the lines. The answer is sometimes Botox can relax smokers lines in the lip in very small controlled doses. It can make the lip look longer, so be sure to seek out a doctor with experience in injecting the lip. Some deeper lines do not respond, and other techniques such as Dermabrasion or laser might be better.
Jeffrey S. Yager, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
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Botox to Lips...
Depending on the severity of the wrinkles on your lips, Botox is a great option. Many patients like the result of the mild plumping and the relaxation of pursing the upper lip. If it is your first time the sensation can be a little strange. I always encourage my new patients to try it twice before they decide they don't like it. Reasoning behind this is because the first time is aways 'wierd'. Some patients may feel a little tingling for a...
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The best way to treat smoker's lines in the lips
In my opinion, hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are the treatment of choice for fixing smoker's lines in the lips. Neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin can be added, if necessary, to relax particularly strong lip muscles or prolong the results from fillers.
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Botox in the Lips
Treating "smokers" lines in the lips is best done with a multi-modality approach. Botox alone is not likely to give you a satisfactory result. I suggest as a primary treatment using injectable fillers (Restylane) and then adding very small amounts of Botox as an adjunct. Treating creases in the lips should be left to someone who has a great deal of skill and experience as you will likely be unsatisfied otherwise.
To be effective, Botox in the lip needs to...
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Botox and its saftey
Injection of Botox in the lip area is a little bit tricky, and requires paying extra attention to the details of meticulous structures of the lip. Experience is a must. It should be done conservatively and evenly distributed slightly above the vermilion boarder. I usually inject 2 units, at least in 4 sites.
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I don't recommend Botox for the mouth
Unless you've had other Botox injections by your physician and he or she has done a lot of these types treatments, I don't recommend Botox for smoker's lines. I have seen many, many people with dropped upper lips and mouths that won't close correctly because they had bad injections done, and have come to me for assistance (which is really hard to correct!). Unless you sincerely trust your physician, I would recommend fillers for this area. It's much safer and easier...
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Tiny doses are generally safe.
However, this is less than an ideal treatment. The smoker's lines are there because of loss of lip volume particularly at the junction of the white and red lip rolls. This is best treated with filler volume. Also too much BOTOX will cause incompetency of the orbicularis oris, the muscle the purses the lips. This is not ideal.
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Boox for smoker's lines
Botox can help this problem but it must be done very conservatively to avoid unwanted freezing of lip movement. Start slow and see what kind of effect you have and then add more as needed. Fillers at the same time can add to the smoothing effect.
Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
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Botox in upper lip is dangerous
Botox in the upper lip is dangerous as it can cause change in your smile, speech and expressions. The fine lines which are referred to as 'Smokers Lines' do respond to the Botox but the precise dosage can be hard to accomplish at times. You are better off getting Juvederm or Restylane in that area to fill up the lip skin and iron out the wrinkles.
Regards
Dr. J
Disclaimer: This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The...
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Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Botox in the upper lip for smoker lines
It is safe if used conservatively and placed in the right place. You may notice weakening of the lips when sucking on a straw or drinking from a cup and takes a little practice to adjust. Fillers can work well in addition when the lines are deep. In the past collagen was used and worked well but didn't last long. The fillers today may be a little thick and so mixing the Juvederm or Restylane with a small amount of anesthetic makes it more fluid and less thick for the fine lines and works...
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Botox and Fillers work on Smoker's Lines
I agree with Dr. Griffin, Botox is effective for treating the smoker's line on the lips, but should be used conservatively. Also an option for these lines are fillers. As this skin is delicate, I prefer a thinner filler such as Restylane or Juvederm Ultra.
Jonathan Sonne, MD
Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon
Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Botox in the upper lip helps smoker's lines
Yes, it is safe and works well! This is considered to be an advanced technique so make sure you go to an experienced injector. The only downside is that a certain percentage of patients will get transient numbness if too much Botox is injected. Good luck!
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Botox for Upper Lip
Neuromodulator injections in the upper lip can help to soften the "smoker's wrinkles" around the mouth. It is a balancing act to achieve a good effect without affecting the movement of the lip too much. You should seek out an injector who is familiar with injecting in this area and start conservatively. You can always reinject in a couple of weeks if needed. If too much is injected and it negatively affects lip function, there is nothing to do but let it...
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Donald Griffin, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
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