When a Doctor Injects Botox Around Mouth for Smokers Lines, Are They Injecting into the Lips or the Muscles Around the Mouth?

As others have noted, the neuromodulation effects occur in the muscles responsible for the unwanted lines.  Around the mouth, the relaxation can lead to weakness of contraction which will soften the harsh lines.  This may also create the inability to pucker, kiss, whistle, suck through straws, and may even affect speech and enunciation.  Some patients report enough dyskinesis (uncoordinated movement) to bite their lips inadvertently.  Your physician may be very experienced and best qualified to have you reach the right effects in this area.  Otherwise, be aware of the potential risks and wait out the complications. 

Botox is injected by many doctors into the skin above the muscle, but some inject it into the muscle. It also depends on where on the face the injection is to take place and the concern of bruising.  The exact location and number of units is more of an issue as the muscle underlying the skin insertion will ultimately be affected whether it was injected directly or affected by the proximity of the placement.

Botox is always injected into a muscle, unlike artificial fillers that are injected into soft tissue.  Botox is a neuromodulator, and its action targets muscle activity, specifically weakening target muscles to attain the desired aesthetic improvement.  Perioral rejuvenation with Botox requires a very experienced injector, and should be initially injected in small quantities to prevent complications and establish a baseline for future injections.  To treat "smoker's lines" Botox is injected into the upper lip. By relaxing the upper lip Orbicularis Oris muscle Botox reduces the appearance of "smoker's lines".  Botox can also be injected into the lower lip Depressor Anguli Oris muscle reducing the downward pull of these muscles creating a turned-up corner of the mouth.  It is possible that your injector did not satisfactorily target the appropriate muscle, and therefore you did not achieve the desired elevation to the corner of your mouth.  I suggest you follow up with the practitioner and voice your concerns..... Dr. Corrado