BOTOX® was originally used to treat strabismus (crossed eyes), but researchers discovered decades ago that it also has the benefit of softening wrinkles between the brows on the forehead. Ever since it was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, BOTOX® has become the most famous aesthetic treatment for reducing wrinkles. Not only does it target the underlying cause of many of our wrinkles—expression-related movements of facial muscles that are attached to the skin—but it also causes virtually no discomfort, requires almost no downtime, and yields results that last for several months. Unsure whether this would be the best solution for the types of wrinkles you’re hoping to reduce? When it comes to BOTOX®, the Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team notes that the injectable is FDA approved for three cosmetic uses: forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. In fact, one of the practice’s board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Derek Jones, worked as an investigator in the clinical trial that led to the approval for crow’s feet.

That said, BOTOX® is also safely used by qualified injectors for many other areas of the face and neck. This is because the injectable does more than just soften wrinkles. It can also improve asymmetry caused by overworked facial muscles, for example. Here are many uses of the popular neuromodulator:

Smoothing Forehead Lines

The contractions of the frontal muscle on the forehead are what cause horizontal creases to form in this area. We raise our eyebrows to indicate surprise, happiness, worry, or skepticism.

Eyebrow Shaping

Like bunny lines, uneven eyebrows can be a side effect of having too many units of a neuromodulator on another area of the forehead. If one of the muscles is relaxed too much, the disparity can cause one eyebrow to appear higher than the other. Injections can also be used to elevate both brows if they are sagging.

Frown Lines

The repeated muscle contractions involved in frowning, squinting, or scowling cause a breakdown of the collagen and elastin of the skin in the area above the nose, between the brows. The two vertical lines that form on the forehead are called “11s” or “glabellar lines.”

Crow’s Feet

Thin wrinkles at the outer corners of the eye that resemble the toes on a crow’s foot are what we call crow’s feet, but are technically known as lateral canthal lines. Modern clinics like this one now offer under eye filler treatments to help tackle these lines. The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate. When this skin’s elasticity decreases each time you squint, smile, or blink, more pronounced wrinkles begin to form.

Bunny Lines

“Bunny lines” are a nickname for the slanted, diagonal lines that form on either side of the nose when you’re laughing or smiling. Sometimes they also occur when you’ve had BOTOX® on other areas of your face and overcompensate by using the surrounding muscles around your nose more.

Gummy Smile

An uneven smile that shows too much of the upper gum area is what’s referred to as a gummy smile. Sometimes the muscles around the mouth area are hyperactive, which elevates the upper lip too much.

Lip Lines

The repeated action of pursing your lips while smoking, drinking from a straw or bottle, or making facial expressions can cause the collagen to break down. Vertical wrinkles become etched onto the area above the lips as a result.

Marionette Lines

Vertical wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth down to the chin can often be addressed with fillers, but BOTOX® can also help to reduce their severity.

Dimpled Chin

A pebbled or orange-peel like appearance on your chin can occur when the mentalis muscle contracts too much.

Neck Bands

Along with sagging skin and a depletion of the muscle tone in the neck as we get older, prominent neck cords are another characteristic of aging that happens due to the prominence of the vertical neck bands or platysmal bands while grimacing or other facial expressions. BOTOX® relaxes the neck area to make it look more youthful.

Thinking of trying BOTOX®? Ask the Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team if this wrinkle-injection treatment is right for you, or talk to them if you would like to get more advice on different types of minimally invasive wrinkle treatments. Submit a contact form online or call 310-246-0495 to set up a consultation.