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Can Botox Be Used to Make Lips Appear Slightly Smiling Position (Curve Upwards) Than Appear Sad Position (Curve Downwards)?

Can Botox Be Used to Make Lips Appear Slightly Smiling Position (Curve Upwards) Than Appear Sad Position (Curve Downwards)?

Doctor Answers 8

Yes Botox can be used to help the corners of the mouth

July 11th, 2012
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Yes, Botox used properly can be used to turn up the corners of the mouth, I agree with the other doctors that it is best used in conjunction with a filler like Juvederm or Restylane, and it must be done by a very experienced board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who injects a lot. 

Rebecca Baxt, MD


Paramus Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

Botox for a downturned mouth

July 10th, 2012
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An experienced injector can inject Botox to relax the muscles that pull down the corners of the mouth.  This treatment can turn up the corners of the mouth to make you look happier.  Fillers can be used together with Botox to keep the corners of the mouth up.

These procedures should be performed by an experienced injector to avoid side effects such as uneven drooping, so you should consult a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to get the best possible results.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC
Toronto Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 20 reviews

Don't let doctors inject your lips with BOTOX.

July 11th, 2012
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Nothing good comes from weakening the lips with BOTOX.  Generally fillers are the way to go here.  So be careful what you ask for.  Just a little too much BOTOX and you will look like you had a stroke.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Botox for Lip Angulation

September 30th, 2012
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In the hands of a skilled physician, Botox can be used to slightly upturn the angles of lips that typically angle downward. This usually happens because tight muscles "pull" the corners down, and relaxing them can allow the lip to turn more upward on the edges. However, I stress that it is VERY important to find a doctor who has experience in this area. Otherwise, you may risk being unable to form certain words, sip from a straw, pucker your lips for a kiss, etc. Research wisely.. 

Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD

Botox to upturn the corners of the mouth

July 16th, 2012
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I have used Botox successfully for several years to lift the corners of the mouth - "turn that frown upside down". By carefully injecting the depressor anguli oris muscle, the corners of the mouth can be gently lifted and upturned. In some cases, the addition of filler is also quite useful and so I often will combine the two treatments with nice, natural results. 

Benjamin Barankin, MD

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 42 reviews

Botox for Smiling Mouth

July 15th, 2012
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You can have Botox put in the muscle that pulls the corner of the lips down.  It is an off label advanced technique.  When done properly it can relax the corners of the mouth and soften the marionette lines.  Combined with filler in this area it is a winning combination.

Janet M. Neigel, MD

Janet M. Neigel, MD
Livingston Oculoplastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 16 reviews

Botox for the lips' curvature

July 10th, 2012
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You need to visit an extremely experienced physician for this! Do not just go to anyone! You can alter the lips a tiny bit by proper injections of very small amounts of Botox so that the sides don't pull downwards anymore, which is what makes them look like a permanent scowl. But please, please make sure you see someone exceptionally experienced with Botox because doing it incorrectly here can result in drooling, and problems smiling, eating, and talking. It can be very bad if not handled correctly, so make sure you understand all the risks before you try to do anything here.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD

F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist
4.6 out of 5 stars 16 reviews

Botox treatment of the DAO can help turn up the downturned sad corners of the mouth

February 16th, 2013
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Botulinum toxin, whether Botox, Dysport or Xeomin, can be used to relax the native pulling down of the DAO muscle that anchors the corner of the mouth. During its relaxation by Botox, the DAO can no longer antagonize the normal upturning actions of the levator anguli oris muscles and the sad curvature of the corner of the mouth becomes more horizontal and the patient begins to look more happy than sad.

There are risks with any treatment and you should see a Botox expert for such an off-label use of Botox.

Web reference: http://www.thenyac.com/botox/index.html

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.