If you’ve noticed a heavier jawline, downturned mouth corners, or a tired or unhappy resting expression, you’re not alone. Many people assume surgery or fillers are the only options but research shows that Botox, when used correctly, can create a subtle lifting effect in the lower face.
At Nervana Medical in Sandy, Utah, we use advanced, anatomy‑based techniques to help patients achieve natural, balanced results without surgery.
How Botox Creates a Lift (Without Adding Volume)
Botox doesn’t lift by filling or tightening skin. Instead, it works by relaxing specific muscles that pull the face downward.
As we age, certain lower‑face and neck muscles become overactive. These muscles constantly pull:
- The corners of the mouth downward
- The jawline toward the neck
- The lower face into a heavier, sagging position
When Botox is carefully placed into these downward‑pulling muscles, the opposing muscles, the ones that lift, are able to work more effectively. The result is a more relaxed, lifted appearance at rest.
This concept is called muscle vector rebalancing, and it’s the foundation of modern lower‑face Botox techniques.
What the Study Found (In Simple Terms)
A 2022 article published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum reviewed facial anatomy, injection techniques, and real patient cases to show how Botox can be used for lower‑face lifting.
Here’s what that research tells us in plain language:
Botox can improve jawline definition
By relaxing muscles that pull the jawline downward, patients showed:
- A cleaner, more defined jawline
- Less heaviness in the lower face
Mouth corners can appear more lifted
Targeted Botox to the muscles that pull the mouth down can:
- Reduce a sad or angry resting expression
- Create a softer, more approachable look
* Results look natural, not frozen
When done correctly:
- Facial movement is preserved
- Smiling, speaking, and eating remain normal
- The face simply looks more rested and balanced
*Technique matters more than the amount
The study emphasized that results depend on injector expertise and anatomy knowledge, not just how many units are used.
Why Lower‑Face Botox Requires Experience
The lower face is very different from the forehead or crow’s feet. The muscles are:
- Smaller
- Closer together
- More involved in speech and eating
Poorly placed Botox in this area can lead to:
- Smile asymmetry
- Difficulty speaking clearly
- Lip weakness or drooling
That’s why lower‑face Botox should only be performed by experienced medical providers who understand facial anatomy and muscle balance.
At Nervana Medical, we take a conservative, customized approach, using the minimum amount needed to achieve balance and lift.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Lower‑face Botox may be a good option if you:
- Notice downturned mouth corners
- Feel your jawline looks heavier or less defined
- Want subtle rejuvenation without fillers or surgery
- Prefer natural‑looking results
It’s often ideal for patients in their 30s–60s looking for early correction or prevention.
How Long Do Results Last?
Results typically:
- Begin to appear within 7–14 days
- Last about 3–4 months
Many patients choose to maintain results with regular treatments.
For Injectors:
Unit ranges discussed (clinically relevant)
*Should be customized to each patient
Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO)
- Typical range: 2–4 units per side
- Injected superficially
- Goal: lift mouth corners without affecting speech or smile
Overdosing DAO is a known cause of smile asymmetry, the paper warns against this.
Mentalis
- Typical range:4–8 units total
- Often divided into 2 points
- Used to reduce chin dimpling and upward tissue pull
Platysma (jawline / lower face component)
- Highly variable
- Often:
- 2–4 units per injection point
- Multiple superficial points along jawline or bands
- Total platysma dose may range 10–30+ units, depending on extent treated
The paper stresses superficial placement to avoid dysphagia or voice changes.
Overall Lower-Face Botox Totals
- Most case examples fall roughly in the range of:
20–40 units total, spread across:- DAO
- Mentalis
- Platysma
- Sometimes DLI (with caution)
What the paper emphasizes more than units
The authors repeatedly state that anatomy > units:
- Muscle balance matters more than dose
- Treating the wrong muscle with “correct” units still causes problems
- Conservative dosing with staged touch-ups is preferred
- Precision is Crucial
Because muscles in the lower face:
- Are interwoven and superficial
- Lack distinct fascial planes like in other body muscles
Injection accuracy matters more here because:
- Diffusion into unintended muscles can cause:
- Speech changes
- Smiling dysfunction
- Lower lip asymmetry
- Neck weakness (dysphagia/dysphonia)
The authors emphasize planning, marking, and evaluation in both:
- Resting position
- Full contraction position
Their philosophy: “Use the minimum effective dose to rebalance vectors, not paralyze muscles.”
Key Points:
- There is not a universal dosing chart
- Aggressive dosing is not associated with a better lift
Lower‑Face Botox at Nervana Medical
At Nervana Medical in Sandy, Utah, lower‑face Botox is:
- Performed by experienced medical injectors
- Customized to your unique facial anatomy
- Focused on balance, function, and natural results
We often combine lower‑face Botox with other treatments such as skin tightening or collagen‑stimulating therapies for enhanced results, when appropriate.
Individual results vary. Botox is a prescription medical treatment and requires consultation with a licensed provider.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re curious whether lower‑face Botox could help you look more refreshed and confident, we’d love to talk.
Nervana Medical – Sandy, Utah
*Ask how you can save $ buy purchasing a whole vial (a typical patient will utilize a whole vial, 100 units) when treating their upper and lower face, plus/minus neck-*Must be used on one patient and in a single sitting.
