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When most people think about neurotoxin, they immediately think of the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet. And while these are some of the most popular treatment areas, neurotoxin can do much more than address the upper face.
The muscles of the lower face play an important role in your smile, lip position, chin appearance, jawline, and overall facial balance. When appropriate, strategically treating these muscles with neurotoxin can create subtle changes that complement your upper-face treatment and contribute to a more balanced result.
At GFaceMD, we take a full-face approach to facial aesthetics. Instead of looking at one wrinkle or treatment area in isolation, we consider how your muscles work together.
What Is Lower Face Neurotoxin?
Neurotoxins such as Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Letybo® temporarily reduce activity in targeted muscles.
In the upper face, this is commonly used to soften expression lines caused by repetitive muscle movement. In the lower face, neurotoxin can be used differently.
Small, precisely placed doses may help modify the pull of specific muscles to address concerns such as a gummy smile, downward-turning corners of the mouth, chin dimpling, lip position, or a strong masseter.
Because many lower-face neurotoxin treatments are considered off-label uses, an individualized consultation with an experienced injector is especially important.
1. Lip Flip
Want a little more visible upper lip without necessarily adding filler?
A lip flip uses small amounts of neurotoxin around the upper lip to relax targeted portions of the muscle surrounding the mouth. This can allow the upper lip to gently roll outward, creating the appearance of slightly more lip show.
Unlike dermal filler, a lip flip doesn’t add physical volume to the lips. For some patients, that makes it an appealing option for subtle enhancement.
For others, a combination of lip filler and a lip flip may be recommended depending on their anatomy and goals.
2. Gummy Smile
If a significant amount of gum shows above your upper teeth when you smile, certain muscles responsible for elevating the upper lip may be contributing.
Strategically placed neurotoxin can reduce the upward pull of these muscles, allowing the upper lip to sit slightly lower when smiling.
The goal isn’t to change your smile completely. It’s to create a subtle adjustment while preserving natural expression.
3. DAO
Have you ever felt like the corners of your mouth turn downward even when you’re not upset?
A muscle called the depressor anguli oris (DAO) pulls the corners of the mouth downward. For appropriate candidates, carefully placed neurotoxin can reduce some of this downward pull.
This may help create a softer, more neutral appearance around the mouth at rest.
This is also a great example of why facial anatomy matters. The muscles around the mouth are closely interconnected, so precise placement and dosing are essential.
4. Chin
The mentalis muscle in the chin can become particularly active in some patients, creating dimpling, puckering, or an “orange peel” texture.
A small amount of neurotoxin can relax excessive mentalis activity and help the chin appear smoother.
Chin neurotoxin may also be incorporated into a broader lower-face plan alongside treatments such as chin filler when both muscle activity and facial structure are contributing to a patient’s concerns.
5. Masseter Neurotoxin
The masseters are powerful muscles located along the sides of the jaw and used during chewing.
In patients with prominent masseter muscles, neurotoxin can reduce muscle activity. Over time, repeated treatment may also reduce the prominence of the muscle, which can create a slimmer appearance through the lower face in appropriately selected patients.
Masseter neurotoxin may also be used in some patients experiencing jaw clenching or related symptoms, although patients with pain or suspected temporomandibular disorders should receive an appropriate medical or dental evaluation.
Changes to facial contour from masseter treatment aren’t immediate. While muscle activity can begin changing sooner, visible slimming typically develops gradually.
6. Platysmal Bands and the Jawline
Lower-face rejuvenation doesn’t necessarily stop at the chin.
The platysma is a thin muscle extending from the upper chest and neck into the lower face. When it contracts, it can contribute to visible vertical neck bands and downward pull along the lower face.
Strategic neurotoxin treatment may help soften prominent platysmal bands and reduce some downward muscular pull in appropriately selected patients.
You may have heard this type of treatment referred to as a “Nefertiti lift.” It’s important to understand that neurotoxin isn’t physically lifting the skin like surgery would. Instead, the treatment is intended to modify specific muscle activity that can contribute to the appearance of the lower face and neck.
Lower Face Neurotoxin Is All About Precision
If you’ve ever heard that neurotoxin around the mouth can affect your smile, speech, or other facial movements, there’s a reason these treatments require careful technique.
The lower face contains multiple small muscles that work together for everyday functions including smiling, speaking, eating, and drinking. Excessive dosing or inappropriate placement can temporarily interfere with normal muscle function.
That’s why lower-face neurotoxin isn’t simply about knowing where to inject. Your provider needs to understand the underlying anatomy, how your muscles interact, and how treatment in one area could affect another.
At GFaceMD, your treatment plan is based on your individual anatomy and facial movement rather than a standardized injection pattern.
Could Lower Face Neurotoxin Be Right for You?
You may want to discuss lower-face neurotoxin with your provider if you’re concerned about:
- A gummy smile
- Limited upper lip show
- Downturned corners of the mouth
- Chin dimpling or puckering
- A prominent masseter or wider-appearing lower face
- Visible platysmal bands
- Downward muscular pull through the lower face
Depending on your concern, neurotoxin may be recommended alone or alongside other treatments such as dermal filler, biostimulators, or skin health treatments.
It’s Time to Think Beyond the Forehead
Neurotoxin doesn’t have to be limited to the three traditional upper-face treatment areas.
When thoughtfully incorporated into a full-face treatment plan, lower-face neurotoxin can address specific patterns of muscle movement and help create facial harmony.
At GFaceMD, we focus on understanding your anatomy, movement, and goals before determining where neurotoxin belongs in your treatment plan.
Already coming in for your forehead, frown lines, or crow’s feet? Ask your GFaceMD provider whether lower-face neurotoxin could complement your current treatment plan.
Individual results vary. Many lower-face uses of botulinum toxin products are off-label. Treatment carries potential risks and may not be appropriate for everyone. A consultation with a qualified medical provider is necessary to determine appropriate treatment.
