Can Botox be used to lower upper lip?

Question

Not necessarily to correct a gummy smile but to lower the upper lip so that the mouth closes comfortable when face is a rest?

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

Yes, Botox can be safely used to relax the muscles that pull the lip up, thus allowing the upper lip to become a little lower. This treatment is often used to correct a gummy smile. However, it must be used extremely carefully as improperly placed or dosed Botox can cause an abnormal smile. I recommend visiting a skilled, board-certified dermatologist for an in-person consultation to discuss your goals and see if Botox is an appropriate treatment for you.

William Groff, DO · Answer

Botox is a great solution for lowering that upper lip. To correct a gummy smile, this is a very common treatment to relax the muscles that pull the lip up. However, this technique must be used extremely carefully as it can cause an abnormal smile if improperly placed or dosed. It is very important you consult with a board-certified dermatologist who can carefully assess your situation and safely inject to get you the result you're looking for!

Sabrina Fabi, MD · Answer

Yes, Botox can be used to safely lower that upper lip. This treatment of relaxing the muscles that pull the lip up is commonly used to correct a gummy smile. However, this technique must be used extremely carefully as it can cause an abnormal smile if improperly placed or dosed. My recommendation is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatology who can carefully assess your situation and create a treatment plan tailored to you.

Andrew P. Trussler, MD · Answer

Botox can be injected in the upper lip at the nasal sill or base of the nose to help lower and relax a short upper lip. These muscles are often addressed at the time of a rhinoplasty and can help reduce the tension on the nasal tip and lip. Botox can easily help to lessen the tension on the upper lip though it will require repetitive injections every 3 months. If the effect is positive with a neuromodulator like Botox, then a more permanent solution could be considered.

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

If your lip is too high at rest, it is doubtful that Botox will drop it, but the treatment would be very similar to treating a gummy smile. We simply inject the Botox into the muscles that lift the lip so that those muscles relax and can't lift the lip as well. Unfortunately, there is not much tension in relaxed muscles, so I don't expect the Botox to drop a lip from a relaxed position. Sometimes it's worth a try though. Make sure you see a very experienced injector since this type of Botox treatement is unusual, and a very thorough understanding of the facial muscles is mandatory to prevent an unexpected consequence like a crooked smile (you wouldn't like that at all and it would take weeks to resolve).Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic SpecialistQuintessa Aesthetic Centers

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Botox can be used to lower the upper lip.  A physical exam and a discussion of what you are looking for will help determine which muscles to weaken.  It can be done in an incremental fashion (starting with lower doses) and working up to the point where you get the desired effect.  I would make sure you go to a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist with a high volume injectable practice as they will be the most experienced with the anatomy.  Overdoing it or ineffective technique can have a very undesirable effect.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question aleyzailazaro. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. In the lower face Botox can be placed to the sides of the nostrils in the LLSAN muscle. This muscle is responsible for raising the upper lip. It can be used both at rest or when smiling. Relaxing this muscle with Botox will prevent the lip from elevating too high when smiling and keep the upper lip in a lower position at rest. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.Botox is used to correct the gummy smile and other asymmetries of the lips. Dr Karamanoukian#RealSelf100 Member

David P. Mueller, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to completely answer your question without photographs. If you have what we call "lip incompetence,"  meaning that the lips do you not come together when the teeth come together,  then  The problem is either the position of the upper jaw or a short upper lip.   Based on a full exam, either upper jaw surgery, or a  Cheiloplasty (lowering the lip from the oral side of the upper lip)  would it be a permanent treatment. Botox will not solve this problem. Please consult a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Best of luck to you. Dr. David Mueller

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

Thank you for your question. It will lower your upper lip. FYI it will also change your smile. I hope you find this information useful.

Can Botox be used to lower upper lip?

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Answers (14)

More Lip Repositioning Questions

Should I get botox, laser crown lengthening, or lip lowering for my gummy smile? (Photo)

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