When we look in the mirror, we eventually realize that the aging process and fatigue are not just about forehead lines or crow’s feet. Especially towards the late 30s, the “constantly sad or angry” expression caused by the downward turn of our lip corners, the loss of definition in the jawline, and the sagging in the neck area directly affect the overall energy of our face. When the problem of teeth grinding (bruxism) triggered by stress is added to this, the lower part of our face gradually takes on a more angular, harsh, and tired appearance.
When our patients visit our clinic with these complaints, they generally express this common concern: “I want to erase that unhappy expression on my face and recover my jawline, but I am very afraid of my smile being distorted or losing my facial expressions.”
At our clinic located in Kartal Bumerang Residence, the heart of the Anatolian Side of Istanbul; our medical aesthetic philosophy for our clients reaching us from Maltepe, Pendik, Ataşehir, and Tuzla regions is extremely clear: “To defy time by respecting anatomy, without freezing your expression, and by preserving that natural smile that belongs to you.” With the surgical meticulousness and mastery of muscle structure brought by the Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) tradition, we offer our patients the treatment considered the gold standard in lower face rejuvenation, which makes them forget these fears: Lower Face Botox.
In this detailed guide, we examine with complete transparency what lower face botox is, which requires a completely different expertise than upper face botox, to which areas it is applied, and how it is safely performed in our clinic.
What is Lower Face Botox? A Special Muscle Engineering
Although wrinkle removal is the first thing that comes to mind today when botox is mentioned, lower face botox is more of a “reshaping and lifting” procedure. The muscles in our face are in a constant tug-of-war with each other; while some muscles pull the face upwards, others (depressor muscles) pull the face downwards in combination with gravity.
Lower face botox is the process of bringing the strength of the pulling-up muscles (elevator muscles) to the forefront by relaxing these muscles that pull the face down and harden it in a controlled manner. Thanks to this treatment, a visible recovery and softening are provided in the lower half of the face without any surgical incision.
To Which Areas is Lower Face Botox Applied and What Does It Do?
The muscle anatomy in the lower face region is quite complex. Therefore, the treatment is planned for specific areas according to the patient’s complaints and needs:
- Masseter Botox (Jaw Thinning and Teeth Grinding Treatment): Due to stress-induced teeth grinding (bruxism), the chewing muscle (masseter) enlarges excessively. This condition causes severe jaw and headaches and creates a masculine, harsh expression by squaring the lower part of the face. With masseter botox, this muscle is relaxed; while the pain ends, the face regains its elegant “V” or oval form.
- Nefertiti Lift (Neck and Jawline Recovery): The platysma muscle in our neck pulls the jawline downward with age. The pulling force is weakened with injections made into specific points of this muscle. The result: A much sharper jawline and a tight neck appearance, just like the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.
- Drooping Lip Corners (Depressor Anguli Oris – DAO): This is the process of relaxing the muscle that pulls the corners of the lips downwards. This small touch instantly erases that “sad, unhappy, and weary” expression on the face, moving the lip corners to a naturally neutral or slightly upward position.
- Chin (Mentalis) Botox: It smoothes the orange peel appearance that forms on the chin while talking or making facial expressions.
- Barcode Lines (Smoker’s Lines): It softens the fine vertical lines that form above the lip over time and provides a younger lip contour.
How is Lower Face Botox Treatment Performed? Safe and Comfortable Injection
Lower face botox is not just a wrinkle treatment; it is a medical intervention requiring high anatomical knowledge, applied to sensitive muscle groups that can affect the patient’s speaking, chewing, and smiling. At Dr. Mustafa Eray Erkek’s clinic, this procedure is carried out with the following steps, strictly adhering to patient safety protocols:
- Dynamic Muscle Analysis and Planning: Before the procedure, your speech, smile, and facial expressions are examined in detail. It is determined which muscle is how hyperactive (overworking). There is no standard template in lower face botox; injection points and dosage are planned metrically, completely according to your facial asymmetry and muscle strength.
- Preparation for Maximum Comfort: The area to be treated is numbed by applying cold compresses or local anesthetic creams. The needles used during the procedure are special tips with a thinness that is hard to see with the naked eye (even thinner than mesotherapy needles). Thanks to this, the process is extremely comfortable and almost painless.
- Pinpoint Safe Injection: Specific doses of botulinum toxin are injected into the planned areas. Since the muscles that provide lip movements are very close to each other in the lower face area, the injection depth and point are of vital importance. In correct applications performed with surgical anatomical knowledge, risks such as smile asymmetry or speech disorders are eliminated.
- Post-Procedure and Return to Social Life: After this practical application, which takes only 10-15 minutes, our patients can immediately return to their daily social or business lives. The probability of permanent marks or bruising at the injection points is extremely low.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Will lower face botox distort my smile or speech? When applied with correct anatomical knowledge and by a specialist physician, lower face botox does not distort your smile; on the contrary, it makes it more aesthetic. The right dosage and the right depth technique are applied to prevent the medication from spreading to muscles other than the targeted ones.
2. When does the effect of the procedure start, and how long does it last? The effect usually starts to appear 3 to 7 days after the injection and fully settles on the 14th day. The permanence duration of lower face botox varies between 4 to 6 months on average, depending on the patient’s metabolic rate and the frequency of muscle use. In regular applications, this period is observed to be extended.
3. What should be considered after the procedure? You should remain in an upright position for the first few hours following the application, and the injection areas should not be massaged or rubbed. Additionally, avoiding extremely hot environments (Turkish baths, saunas) and strenuous exercises for the first 24 hours is medically safer.
4. Can lower face botox be done together with fillers? Absolutely. While lower face botox relaxes the face by regulating muscle movements; when combined with jawline or chin fillers, it creates a flawless “V-Shape” (V-face) and a holistic rejuvenation effect.
How are Lower Face Botox Prices Determined?
One of the issues our patients coming from Kartal, Pendik, Ataşehir, Maltepe, and Tuzla regions to Dr. Mustafa Eray Erkek’s clinic are most curious about when budget planning is lower face botox pricing. Since each patient’s muscle strength and anatomical needs are different, sharing a fixed price on the internet would be misleading. The main criteria that determine the prices are as follows:
- Amount of Units Needed: The botox unit used in procedures performed on strong muscles like masseter botox and the amount of units used on the DAO muscle to lift the lip corner are completely different from each other. The price is calculated according to the total dose of medication to be used.
- Global Quality Standard: In our clinic, only Ministry of Health-approved, FDA-approved original products with international reliability and in compliance with cold chain rules are used. Under-the-counter or toxins of unknown origin are never preferred.
- Expertise and Safety: Botox is not just injecting a drug; it is the art of knowing into which fiber of which muscle, and at what depth that drug will be applied. The amount you pay is the price of purchasing the “safety, anatomical experience, and ability to prevent possible complications” of a physician trained with the GATA discipline.
While getting rid of that tired, pulled-down, and harsh expression on your face, preserving your unique smile is entirely in your hands. We welcome you to our clinic at Kartal Bumerang Residence to define your jawline, say goodbye to your teeth-grinding pains, and give the lower part of your face a brand new, bright stance. You can make a free preliminary consultation appointment to discuss your lower face botox plan, which will be designed completely specific to your anatomy, and to meet our dynamic aging philosophy. Your health and beauty are guaranteed in professional hands.
