Botox®️ or Xeomin®️are commonly injected into 3 main sites; the forehead to treat expressive lines, the outer sides of the eyes to treat “Crow’s Feet”, and between the eyebrows to eliminate frown lines sometimes referred to as “11s”. But did you know that botulinum can also be used to raise the eyebrows, eliminate horizontal “bunny” lines on the nose, turn up the corners of the mouth, reduce lines above the lip, get rid of chin dimpling and smooth out neck bands? Read the details below.
When an elevated brow is desired, botulinum injected into the upper lateral aspect of the circular eye muscle named the orbicularis oculi can achieve this. By slightly weakening this part of the muscle, the opposing muscle of the forehead literally lifts the eyebrow up. Simple!
People use their facial muscles differently. Some people develop vertical “11” lines when they frown while others also contract the muscles on the side of the nose creating a horizontal “bunny” line across the bridge of their nose. This can be easily treated with a single injection of botulinum to each side of the nose.
Do people think you look sad when you are not? Droopy mouth corners can be improved by reducing the activity of a muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth down, the depressor anguli oris. This allows the smile muscles that pull up on the corners of the mouth to function, unopposed. Easy as that.
Nothing makes one feel older than the fine lines that develop above the lip. Often incorrectly referred to as “ Smoker’s Lines”, they can develop in smokers and non-smokers alike. When low dose botulinum is placed above the lip in the circular muscle that creates puckering, the muscle relaxes, and the lines are reduced creating a more youthful look. Some people even get the added effect of a slightly wider upper lip leading to its nickname, the “lip-flip” or the “ lip-pop”.
Chin dimpling can occur with age if the mentalis muscles become overactive. Botulinum can be used to relax these muscles thereby reducing the dimpling, giving you a smoother chin.
Teeth clenching and teeth grinding can cause enlargement of the masseter muscle which adds fullness to the face and angulates the jaw. Botulinum into this muscle not only relieves the symptoms of teeth grinding but can have the added benefit of slimming the face.
The platysma is a broad superficial muscle that spans the neck from the top of the chest to the jawline. With age, it can develop bands and cords. Botulinum into these bands relaxes them, making them less visible. The result is a smoother, more youthful neck.
So next time you are in for your Botox®️ or Xeomin®️appointment, let me know if you are interested in treating one or more of these areas. I will evaluate your unique, expressive face, and we will decide if adding any of these sites would be a good choice for you.
