Does Botox make flared nostrils smaller even when not smiling?

Question

Ive read stuff about it that says it only works when your smiling and others where it would say the opposite, I'd like to know which is more true

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear dojadoja:
I have not had a opportunity to explore this question previously but it is an interesting mental exercise. Botox is one of several injectable muscle relaxers. Muscles work in combinations by shortening in different directions. Botox therefore relaxes the agonist or the antagonist or both. In the case of the nostrils, the following tiny muscles will act on the ala including the anterior dilator naris, alar nasalis, compressor narium minor, depressor septi nasi and transversus nasalis. The cartilages of the lower nose including the lower lateral/medial crus and septum will elastically rebound against the forced contraction or medical relaxation of these muscles resulting in the final shape. So the answer is a permutation of those actions. 
Thanks for the mind bender.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Botox is a neuromodulator.  It works by softening the ability of the injected muscle to contract.  In case of nasal flaring it softens the pull of the nasal muscle outward.  This muscle is used when smiling or talking.  The treatment is done in the office with final results seen after two weeks.

Does Botox make flared nostrils smaller even when not smiling?

Answers (2)

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