All About Botox for Smile Lines
Fast facts
About
Botox is a nonsurgical procedure that's used to smooth wrinkles by temporarily relaxing muscles.
It can be done around the mouth to reduce the appearance of smile lines.
The effects of the procedure typically last about 3 to 6 months.
Safety
Botox is generally considered safe with little downtime.
Certain side effects can occur, and the procedure should always be performed by a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Side effects may include:
redness
swelling
bruising
pain in the mouth area
numbness
Always see a doctor if these side effects don't resolve within a week.
Convenience
Botox is a quick procedure with little downtime needed.
You should be able to drive yourself home and possibly even return to work the same day, though you will need to avoid makeup and strenuous activity for 24 hours.
Always find a reputable medical professional to perform the procedure. In some states, aestheticians are not allowed to administer Botox.
Cost
The cost of Botox will vary depending on how many units you need and where you live.
Typically, you can expect the procedure to cost anywhere between $400 to $900 per session.
Be wary of Botox treatments that seem inexpensive, as the technician may not be medically trained.
Effectiveness
Botox is an effective way to temporarily treat the appearance of smile lines, though it's not a permanent solution.
The results of the treatment will typically last 3 to 6 months.
To continue to see results, you'll need to get additional treatments every few months.
What is Botox for smile lines?
It's great to laugh a lot, but you may not find the accompanying wrinkles, sometimes called laugh or smile lines, very funny.
Botox is used to smooth wrinkles, and injections around the mouth can reduce the appearance of smile lines.
Botulinum toxin (aka Botox) is injected in small amounts around the mouth to freeze and relax the muscles. This smooths the look of wrinkles, since certain lines, known as dynamic wrinkles, are often caused by repeated muscle movement.
The effects of the procedure typically last about 3 to 6 months.
You can get Botox anywhere on your face. Anyone with smile lines or who wants to slow the appearance of smile lines, barring pregnant people or those with certain conditions, is a good candidate.
How much does Botox for smile lines cost?
The price of Botox will depend on exactly how many units you need and where you're having the procedure performed.
In most cases, it will cost between $300 and $600, and to see the best results, this process should be repeated every 3 to 6 months.
Because Botox is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, it's not likely to be covered by insurance.
Smile lines, which can be caused by sun exposure, smoking, or just as part of the natural course of aging, are wrinkles of varying depths that appear around the corners of the mouth. As the name suggests, they may be more visible when you smile.
Botox is a nonsurgical treatment that temporarily freezes or weakens the injected muscle. Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon will use a small needle to inject the substance into the facial muscles below your skin, and your wrinkles should be less visible within a few days.
In some cases, Botox can also be used along with surgery to reduce the look of a gummy smile.
Procedure for Botox for smile lines
The procedure for Botox for smile lines will typically go as follows:
You'll arrive at your appointment and fill out some basic medical paperwork.
Since Botox will be injected in the facial area, you should be able to keep your clothes on. For sanitary reasons, you may be given a gown to put over your clothes.
The doctor will clean your face and remove any makeup. They may then apply topical numbing cream or ice to the area.
The practitioner will inject Botox directly into the muscles surrounding your mouth using a very narrow needle. You'll feel a prick and possibly a tingling sensation.
The practitioner should go over aftercare instructions with you, and you can ask any questions.
Targeted areas
Botox has been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the forehead and for crow's feet. In the lower face, the use of Botox is considered off-label.
Botox for smile lines will treat the wrinkles around the mouth that can sometimes give it a downturned or frown appearance.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Botox is generally considered a safe procedure with minimal side effects, though they can occur.
There's a slight risk of botulinum toxicity, which can occur in the rare case that the injection fluid spreads. If you have any breathing difficulty or trouble speaking, contact your doctor immediately.
Minor side effects usually resolve themselves and can include:
redness
swelling
bruising
pain in the mouth area
numbness
headache
drooling
minor speech differences
What to expect after Botox for smile lines
Recovery for this procedure is generally pretty minimal.
Here's what to expect after getting Botox for smile lines:
You'll be able to resume most normal activities after the procedure, and you can drive yourself home or even return to work.
Don't lie down on your face or touch the area for at least 4 hours after the procedure.
Wait a full 24 hours before exercising or doing other strenuous activity.
You may feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation that should subside within a few days.
You'll start to see results within 3 to 6 days, with maximum results occurring about 14 days after the procedure.
The results aren't permanent, and for the best results, you'll need to continue getting Botox treatments every 3 to 6 months.
Before and after picture
It can be helpful to see a before-and-after picture of real patients from your clinic to decide if getting Botox for smile lines is right for you.
For example, this picture shows a woman before and after Botox injections at the Mabrie Facial Institute.
Before getting Botox for smile lines, make sure you prepare accordingly by:
meeting with your practitioner to discuss the procedure and exactly what they will do and what look you are trying to achieve
sharing your medical history, any medications, and if you are pregnant or planning to be with your practitioner
asking your practitioner what to avoid in the week before your appointment, which may include blood-thinning medication, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and even certain antioxidant-rich foods, which may make it more difficult for blood to clot
wearing as little makeup as possible, and planning to avoid makeup and exercise after your appointment
Botox vs. fillers for smile lines
Botox and fillers are both injectables used to treat facial wrinkles. While Botox relaxes the muscles, fillers are used to fill and plump the skin. Botox is typically used for dynamic wrinkles created by muscle movement, like smile lines, crow's feet, or lines on the forehead.
Fillers can plump the face in areas where static wrinkles caused by a loss of collagen are present. They also last longer, with some lasting up to 2 years before you need to get another treatment.
Both procedures have risks, though fillers may be riskier and, in rare cases, can cause an allergic reaction.
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