Botox - Don’t Forget About Your Lower Face
When you hear the word Botox what comes to mind? Forehead? Crows feet? That’s because these are very common areas to have Botox injections. However, there are common troubled areas in the lower face that can benefit greatly with Botox, yet we seem to overlook Botox as the solution.
Botox is a neurotoxin protein that is injected into areas of the face and body. These injections will inhibit the movement of specific muscles that cause wrinkles and folds, thus making the skin look smoother and more youthful.
In a single day, you could make thousands of facial expressions. This repetitive motion along with the 1% decrease of collagen per year, leads to wrinkles and folds in your skin. Whether you’re smiling, frowning, laughing, or crying, these movements all use muscles of your lower face. Let’s break down three common areas of the lower face that can be dramatically improved with Botox injections.
DAO (Depressor Anguli Oris) Muscle
This pair of muscles control the corners of your mouth. When these muscles are depressed, it forms a frown by pulling the corners of the mouth down. Over time, due to gravity and aging, the corners of the mouth can appear to droop causing someone to look sad or angry. A small injection in each of the DAO muscles will prevent this downward pull causing a lifting of the corners of the mouth and a more relaxed look. Say good-bye to RBF.
Mentalis Muscle
This small pair of muscles are located in the lower-center of the chin. These muscles contribute to the movement of the mouth and chin along with protruding of the lower lip. As we age the chin can start to acquire a dimpley look, also known as the “orange peel” effect of the skin. Botox can be injected in the chin to smooth out the dimpling and wrinkles, and also aid in a deepening of the chin crease.
Platysmal Muscle (Neck bands)
Technically, this is not the lower face, but it’s just below it! And it goes just as unnoticed. We spend so much time looking around our eyes and staring at our wrinkles, but we don’t take the time to see how our necks are aging. Like anywhere else, over time the skin on our neck ages and gives way to the vertical muscles that run on both sides of the throat. The result of these bands becoming more prevalent are neck creases, double-chins, and sagging “turkey neck” skin. When these vertical bands are injected with Botox, the muscles are relaxed resulting in reduced visibility of them. This leads to a smoother, more youthful neck.
It’s important to consult with your trained injector to see if treating areas of the lower face with Botox will benefit you. Our highly trained nurse injectors at Forever Young Solutions will take the time to examine your concerns and create a treatment plan customized to you.
Let’s pay more attention to our lower face!
Until next time…
~FYS team
(Title photo: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/15/2/82)