Wrinkle-relaxing injections can do more than soften forehead lines. Depending on your anatomy and the concern being treated, they may also influence facial expression, lip movement, or the appearance of selected neck muscles.
However, these are not interchangeable treatment areas. Each involves different muscles, potential benefits, and risks.
Frown lines between the eyebrows
The glabella is the region between the eyebrows, where the corrugator and procerus muscles contribute to frowning.
Appropriately placed injections can soften this muscle activity and reduce the appearance of associated lines. Deep lines visible at rest may not disappear completely, even when movement is reduced.
Horizontal forehead lines
The frontalis muscle raises the eyebrows and creates horizontal forehead lines.
Treatment must account for brow and eyelid position because some people rely on this muscle to help keep their brows elevated. Excessive weakening can create heaviness or an unwanted change in expression.
The goal is a suitable balance between line improvement and useful movement.
Crow’s feet and the eye area
The orbicularis oculi muscle contributes to lines around the outer eyes.
Treatment may soften crow’s feet, but injections around the eyes require careful assessment. Brow shaping and lower-eyelid treatments involve additional considerations and should not be treated as equivalent procedures.
Lip lines, lip flips, and gummy smiles
Selected injections may alter the activity of muscles around the mouth.
A lip flip reduces inward rolling of the upper lip in appropriate patients; it does not add volume like filler. Treatment for a gummy smile aims to reduce excessive upper-lip elevation, but the cause of the smile pattern must be assessed first.
Potential effects include changes in speaking, drinking, smiling, or lip control. Small treatment areas still carry meaningful functional considerations.
Chin dimpling and downturned mouth corners
The mentalis muscle can contribute to chin dimpling. The depressor anguli oris muscles can contribute to downward movement at the mouth corners.
Treatment may help selected patients, but asymmetry or unwanted changes in lower-face movement can occur. Anatomy and function should guide placement rather than following a standard injection map.
Masseter treatment
Reducing masseter activity can decrease muscle bulk over time in suitable patients, potentially creating a slimmer lower-face appearance.
This is different from treating every cause of jaw pain or clenching. Potential tradeoffs include chewing weakness, smile changes, or more noticeable laxity.
Neck bands
The platysma contributes to visible vertical neck bands and downward muscular pull.
Botox Cosmetic received FDA approval for moderate to severe platysma bands in adults in October 2024. That approval does not mean treatment removes loose skin or creates a surgical neck lift.
Approved and off-label uses
Approval depends on the exact product, indication, and patient population. A treatment area approved for one brand is not automatically approved for another. Several uses described here are off-label.
At Modern Aesthetics in San Jose, I assess your face at rest and in motion before recommending treatment. Schedule a consultation to discuss what can realistically improve while preserving the movement and features you value.
Updated October 23, 2026.