Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Question

I had botox between my eyes (frown lines) and crows feet two days ago. First timer. Between the eyes looks great and has given me a slight brow lift. But the crows feet injections are limiting my smile. My cheeks bulge & bunch when I smile and my smile seems to "stop" now without extending as broadly as before. Natural contour below my cheeks is gone w/ flat affect to the outer 1/3 of my face. While the crows feet are gone, so is my nice big and broad smile. Doesn't look like me. Suggestions?

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Without knowing how much Botox was injected or exactly where in was injected, it is impossible to give you specific advice.  However, Botox injections are very technical and it is important that you are injected by an experienced plastic surgeon.  A difference of a few mm of depth of the needle can make a huge difference in which muscles are affected by the Botox.  The good thing in your case, is that Botox is always temporary.  So if you do not like the results, you can rest-assured that the effect will go away in a few months.

	 

	Good Luck.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Botox treatment of the crows feet is limited to treating that component of these periorbital lines related to the eyelid muscle movement.  A significant part of the crows feet is related to the bunching up of skin near the cheek bone when the smile muscles contract.  If these muscles near the cheekbone are relaxed with Botox, then the smile may get affected and you may droop or look asymmetric when trying to smile, laugh, eat, sing, etc.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

When you do find a new injector, make clear your prior reaction and your concerns and desires for your treatment outcome.  If the new injector can't listen either, trust me, there are many highly qualified injectors out there who can provide you with what you are looking for.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Botox is great to treat facial lines of animation.  Sometimes patients are bugged by the lines that crop up on the upper cheek/eye region and they want  the doctor to "chase them" further down.  This can sometimes affect the muscles that allow you to smile.  It wears off in 3-4 months.

Peter J. Malouf, DO · Answer

Yes, Find a new injector with enough experience to avoid trying to tackle the lines near your cheek that appear to be crows feet when in fact are produced by the zygomaticus muscle, which is a muscle that elevates the angle of your mouth, and hence when injected, causes weakening of the smile.

	Best of Luck,

	Dr. Malouf

Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Answers (8)

Answer: Botox and smile

Answer: Botox and smile

Answer: Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Answer: Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Answers (8)

Answer: Botox and smile

Answer: Botox and smile

Answer: Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Answer: Botox is Limiting my Smile, Do I Have Options?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.