Botox to upper lip area for smokers lines

While I certainly understand your concern and sincerely hope that the problem you are experiencing does not worsen over the next several days, your question does raise some very important issues worth discussing.

Personally, I have successfully been using Botox for reducing so-called "smoker's lines" (aka "bar code lines" or "lipstick bleeding lines") for well over two decades. For most people, this requires two four microdroplets of Botox for treating the upper lip (and a similar number for the lower) and hopefully the physician you chose to treat you possessed the skill and knowledge to treat this area properly and with the proper technique and dosages.

For persons who have become accustomed to the presence of these vertical lines for many years, their sudden flattening following Botox treatment may be the first time they have had to confront other aesthetic issues in the region that were being masked or overshadowed by the vertical lip lines. For example, flattening of the philtrum, loss of the Cupid's Bow,  loss of the white roll, and thinning of the vermilion border or of the vermilion body (the red part of the lip) itself--all of which can contribute to the appearance of a long, flat upper lip once the vertical lip lines have been addressed. Before I treat anyone in this region, I routinely discuss these issues in advance to avoid surprises, and often combine treatments during the same session

So, before hitting the panic button, it would be wise to look closely to see if any of the above issues may be playing a role in your disappointment and if so, to discuss how to proceed with your physician. Since much of the above falls under advanced injection technques, it would also be wise make sure you are being treated by a board certified aesthetic physician before going any further. Best of luck to you.

Unfortunately, you will have to wait 3-4 months for the Botox to dissolve. However, Laser or radiofrequency, microneedling/prp and fillers work well to reduce these lines.  I suggest going to a facial contouring expert who injects fillers with cannulas to reduce complications.  Best, Dr. Emer

Unfortunately after botox is placed you have to let it run its course. It will take 4 months for the neurotoxin to wear off. In the meantime, I would say you can look at trying to enhance your red lip volume with a filler. Hope this helps

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately this is a possible side effect with Botox when placed into this area. Nothing can be done to reverse the Botox. It typically wears off in 3-4 months.

While Botox works well for vertical lip lines, particularly when combined with a filler such as Belotero, Restylane Silk or Volbella, it is important that a very low dose is used. I usually do not inject more than 4 units for theses lines. That being said, now that you have had the Botox injection, you will probably need to wait 3-4 months for it to wear off. Alternatively, you could have some filler injected to correct for the flattening caused by the Botox.