DAO Botox: Lift Downturned Mouth Corners for a Softer Look

As we age, many clients notice the corners of their mouth starting to turn downward, which can give the face a sad or tired look. This common concern results from several natural aging processes. One of the main reasons is the gradual loss of skin elasticity and collagen, leading to sagging skin around the mouth. The supportive tissues in this area lose firmness over time, causing the corners of the mouth to droop.

The depressor anguli oris muscle, which pulls the mouth corners downward, may become more pronounced or overactive as opposing muscles weaken with age. This muscle imbalance encourages the mouth to rest in a more downturned position.

Repeated facial expressions, such as frowning or pursing the lips, can deepen lines and folds—especially the “marionette lines” that run from the mouth corners to the chin. Lifestyle factors like sun exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition can speed up skin aging and intensify these changes. Additionally, volume loss in the cheeks and around the mouth, due to decreased fat and bone density, further contributes to this downward pull.

Our customized solutions—including dermal fillers, neuromodulators, and skin rejuvenation therapies—can restore lost volume, improve skin elasticity, and relax overactive muscles. By targeting the underlying causes, we help our clients achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance and a naturally uplifted smile.

DAO Botox involves the precise administration of botulinum toxin into the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, which is located at the corners of the mouth. This muscle is responsible for pulling the mouth downward, often resulting in a frowning or tense expression.

Many individuals notice that, over time or due to their natural facial anatomy, the DAO muscle becomes overactive, leading to downturned mouth corners and a less approachable resting expression. At Dr. Phillips Aesthetics, our experienced injectors use targeted Botox injections to gently relax the DAO muscle. This treatment minimizes the muscle’s downward pull, allowing the corners of the mouth to appear more neutral or subtly upturned.

Clients treated with DAO Botox often find their facial expressions appear more inviting and balanced, with a noticeable reduction in a stern or fatigued look. This subtle enhancement can make smiles look more natural and improve the harmony of the lower face, all without affecting normal sensation or other facial movements.

Our team is committed to achieving natural-looking results that enhance your features without a “frozen” or overdone effect. DAO Botox is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to soften their appearance and create a more pleasant, approachable look.

DAO (depressor anguli oris) Botox is a safe and effective solution to subtly lift the corners of your mouth and restore a refreshed, more approachable look.

By carefully injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into these specific muscles, our experienced injectors relax their action. This allows the muscles that naturally lift the corners of the mouth.

At Dr. Phillips Aesthetics, precision is our priority. Our medical professionals use advanced techniques and conservative dosing to ensure the treatment targets only the DAO muscle fibers. This approach minimizes the risk of affecting nearby muscles that are essential for natural lip movement, speech, and smiling. Most of our clients report no noticeable changes in their ability to speak, eat, or smile after DAO Botox. 

Your safety and satisfaction are at the heart of what we do. During your consultation, our team will assess your unique facial dynamics and listen to your goals and concerns. We’ll tailor your DAO Botox treatment to achieve a subtle lift that complements your natural beauty and maintains your authentic expressions.

Before beginning your DAO Botox treatment, Dr. Phillips Aesthetics conducts a thorough facial assessment. We carefully evaluate your muscle strength, activity, and any natural asymmetries. This includes observing how your DAO muscle contracts when you smile, speak, or make other facial expressions. This detailed assessment ensures that every aspect of your natural facial dynamics is considered.

Our injectors determine the most effective injection points and precise dosage for each side of your face, as the strength of the DAO muscle can differ from one side to the other. If one corner of your mouth droops more than the other, we tailor your treatment to achieve a harmonious, lifted look. We also take into account the relationship between the DAO and neighboring muscles to ensure that your natural facial movements are preserved.

By meticulously mapping your anatomy and customizing the treatment plan, Dr. Phillips Aesthetics ensures that Botox relaxes the DAO muscle just enough to lift the mouth corners or reduce a downturned appearance—without compromising your natural expressions. Our personalized approach helps maintain facial symmetry and balance, delivering results that are subtle, natural-looking, and never artificial or uneven.

DAO (depressor anguli oris) Botox is centerd on delivering subtle, natural-looking improvements that enhance the balance and harmony of your lower face—without the obvious signs of cosmetic work. Our provider, Dr. Phillips Nagsuk, MD carefully observes how your mouth moves both at rest and in motion, allowing us to identify any asymmetries, muscle hyperactivity, or unique anatomical features that may contribute to heaviness or downturning at the corners of your mouth.

We believe that cosmetic treatments should never be one-size-fits-all. That’s why Dr. Phillips customizes both the dose and injection points for every client, taking into account your muscle strength, facial proportions, and desired goals. This precise approach minimizes the risk of over-treatment and helps preserve your natural facial expressions—avoiding the “frozen” look that can sometimes accompany less nuanced Botox treatments.

At Dr. Phillips Aesthetics, we also consider the complex interplay between the DAO and nearby muscles to ensure your results are balanced and your smile remains natural. Follow-up assessments are a standard part of our care, giving us the opportunity to make subtle adjustments and ensure your results remain harmonious as the treatment settles.

Through this individualized and anatomically precise method, Dr. Phillips Aesthetics achieves rejuvenation of the mouth and lower face that looks refreshed, organic, and beautifully in tune with your unique features. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 242 N Edinburgh Drive Winter Park, FL, 32792. We serve clients from Winter Park FL, Maitland FL, Casselberry FL, Winter Springs FL, Orlando FL, and Altamonte Springs FL.