Can Botox Lift the Upper Lip?

Question

My top lip seems to droop more inward near the corner of my mouth. I've had Juvederm injections, but that one part of my lip still turns inward. My dermatologist told me that a little Botox in my chin would turn the lip up like its supposed to look. Will this work?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Botox injected into the depressor anguli oris (DAO), a depressor of the lower lip, can raise the commissure of the lower lip, and therefore the corners of the upper lip.
To reduce the lip to nose distance, we often perform a gull wing upper lip lift or corner of the lip lift in appropriate patients.
A facelift also elevated the corner of the lip slightly as well, as can clever augmentation of the lips with any technique.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Injections of the depressor anguli oris muscles along the jawline will cause the outside corners of the mouth to gently drift upward especially with smiling but they will not lift the upper lip per se.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes Botox can help lift the corner of the mouth, but please be careful with any injections around the mouth. If the balance is thrown off, you could have an unnatural looking smile until the Botox wears off. Good luck.

Gideon Kwok, DO · Answer

Before considering having neurotoxins like Botox or Dysport injected to lift or "flip" the upper lip, it's important to understand what exactly these products do. Botox and Dysport are injectable medications that temporarily prevent the muscle that's being treated from contracting. When it is injected into the orbicularis oris muscle above the lip, it limits movement in the area. This can result in an unnatural smile and appearance when talking, as well as restricted movements such as drinking out of a straw or even eating. 
An alternative to flipping the lip is to have dermal filler injected from above the upper lip. Doing this will look natural and you can still have regular movement when talking, eating, or smiling.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

Okay so the corner of your upper lip turns inward.  This is an unfortunate part of aging; something that is essential to correct in order to maintain youth.  The best way to correct this is by fillers.  Botox into the LOWER lip/chin will not help your upper lip.  The only way to stop the effect of the orbiculares, which allows you to close your lips, is to Botox it.  I can't stress how delicate this procedure is.  The muscle must be paralyzed such that it prevents the inward turning but continues to allow you to close your lips. 
There are few physicians that do this with Botox.  I frankly don't have the nerve to try this as the potential complications, inability to close the lips for several months, is too great.  So before you go to your dermatologist see a plastic surgeon for real possibilities of correction without the potential devastating complications.

Can Botox Lift the Upper Lip?

Answers (8)