Would 20 units of Botox be enough to use around my lips to make them look better? (Photo)

Hi there, While we use small amounts of Botox for reduction of fine lines of the upper lip, this is typically only approximately 2-3 units per side. Augmentation and filling of fine lines with fillers is also very common and appears would be better for your appearance.Hope that helps and best wishes, Dr. Donath 

Without standardized photos it is hard to evaluate your concern, I strongly advise you to seek a consultation with an experience injector who understands your facial anatomy.  Without a proper consultation it is hard to advise how many units you would require. Botox would only help soften the lines around lips but not add volume. For volume in lips I recommend the treatment of filler.
Best,
Dr. Anil Shah MD FACS

Thank you for the question. Botox is not used to make lips larger and 20 units is a lot to use around the lips - it could result in complications so I do not recommend this approach. If you're seeking lip augmentation - then hyaluronic acid fillers will give you the best results.  I hope this helps.

Botox is not used to make lips larger. If you're seeking lip augmentation - then HA fillers such Juevederm Volbella will help you achieve your goals

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  Botox will not in itself make your lips bigger and what you may be more interested in is placement of a dermal filler such as in the Juvederm or Restylane lines.  Talk to a series of ASPS board certified plastic surgeons for the best recommendations following an in-person examination.  Best wishes.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photograph tbperson. I understand your concern. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. When injected into the skin Botox will relax the muscles and smoothen out the overlying wrinkles. The most common areas of treatment are in the upper face. These include the horizontal lines seen on the upper forehead when one raises the brows, the vertical lines seen between the brows when one frowns (frown lines), and the crow's feet seen around the eyes when one smiles.It is difficult to make an assessment without a formal exam in the office where I can view the skin in multiple angles and observe wrinkles formed with facial expression. However, I hope the information provided here is useful.Although Botox is most commonly used in the upper face, it can also be used in various areas in the lower face. Botox can be placed in the orbicularis oris muscle around the lips to provide a pout to the lips and reduce the appearance of vertical lines around the lips sometimes called smoker’s lines (although they are seen in people who do not smoke as well). In this area 2-4 units are used above the upper lip and 2 units are used on the lower lip.Botox and fillers are two dermal (skin-related) products are both very popular for their anti-aging features. Unlike Botox, which relaxes muscles to smoothen out wrinkles associated with facial expression, fillers restore lost volume in various areas of the face and body. Common fillers include the Juvederm family (Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella), the Restylane family (Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne), Belotero, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Bellafill. With age changes occur in the bony structures as well as fat pads, both of which contribute to a youthful appearance. Over time bones move and change shape while fat pads get smaller by losing volume and move downward. Fillers restore such lost volume. Common areas of volume loss include the temples on the sides of the face, the upper cheeks, the tear trough area under the eyes, the nasolabial folds which go from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, the marionette lines which are the continuation of the nasolabial folds to the jawline, the chin, and the jawline. Often times combining fillers with Botox treatments yields superior results.If I had a patient with the concern described here I think she would be a better candidate for filler than Botox. Botox around the lips provides a very subtle change and is usually used in combination with fillers in the lips. Furthermore, 20 units is too high a dose in this area. When such a high dose is used complications include difficulty closing the mouth, eating, drinking, and an asymmetric smile.With any injection, there are risks such as pain, bleeding, bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness, and infection. We take special precautions to minimize these risks such as using a painless technique. We also treat bruises with a laser as early as the next day. Bruises usually resolve within two weeks if untreated. After a laser treatment bruises usually resolve in 1-3 days, but may still take two weeks for full resolution. In addition to these risks, with Botox there is also a risk that the product spreads or diffuses to nearby structures. Spread to nearby muscles can lead to side effects such as the temporary appearance of droopy eyelids or a temporary asymmetric smile.

After a Botox treatment, I recommend that my patients avoid heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours and not lie down flat for four hours. This is because all of these activities may possibly lead to the movement of the product and consequent side effects such as droopy eyelids. Although there have been no definitive studies shown that these actually occur and some physicians do not provide such aftercare instructions, in the absence of data I err on the side of caution and recommend that my patients avoid such activities.
Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Thank you for your question! Botox can be injected to give a fuller appearance to the upper lip by relaxing the muscles and allowing it to roll out a bit. Very small amounts of Botox are needed, typically 4-8 units. The lip will be partially inactive, so expect decreased ability to pucker (hard to use a straw). Best of luck! 

After looking at your picture, I believe you would most likely get a better result with fillers. See your facial aesthetician for a personal evaluation.

Based on your pictures, Botox may not be what you want. A filler may be the better option. Check with your local Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. 

Botox is mainly for the upper face i.e frown lines, forehead lines and crow feet at the side of eyes though can be used in tiny amount in lower face by an experienced injector along with dermal fillers in lower part of face relax deep lines and then fill with filler. 
Looking at your picture, for lips Belotero lips or Juvederm would give good lip augmentation.