Can You Get Botox For Laugh Lines?

Botox is a nonsurgical procedure that uses the chemical botulinum toxin-A to offer anti-aging effects to the skin (1). It reduces fine lines and smooths wrinkles on the face by relaxing the muscles temporarily. 

Botox also reduces the appearance of laugh lines that appear around the corners of the mouth and become noticeable after age. Thus, Botox for laugh lines is an effective method to look youthful. However, repeated treatment is required to get the desired long-lasting result. 

Let’s learn more about Botox for laugh lines and whether the procedure is safe, convenient, and cost-effective or not.

Is Botox for Smile or Laugh Lines?

Laughing reduces stress by dropping the level of cortisol and pain and has multiple other health benefits. However, as we age, the laugh lines or smile lines start becoming noticeable. Soon, they turn into wrinkles, making one look old. 

Fortunately, there are many cosmetic treatments available nowadays that can help reduce their appearance, and Botox is one of them (2). It is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure wherein the provider injects botulinum toxin-A into the targeted areas. As a result, the wrinkles or fine lines smoothen, reducing the appearance of laugh lines. 

What Causes Laugh Lines?

Our skin folds while we talk, smile, chew, or perform any activity that involves the movement of facial muscles. As we smile or laugh, certain lines often start becoming prominent after an age. It is due to loss of skin elasticity and lack of collagen. 

The repeated muscle movement forms lines, called dynamic wrinkles, that keep getting prominent over time.  

What Is The Safety Of Getting Botox For Laugh Lines?

Botox is one of the safe cosmetic procedures; however, some people may find it a little discomforting (3). A few side effects that one may observe after getting Botox in the injected area include the following-

• Swelling and inflammation 
• Redness 
• Bruising 
• Pain
• Numbness
• Drooling
• Minor speech difficulty 

Usually, these are the normal aftereffects of getting Botox that resolve after a few days. However, if the problem persists, visiting a doctor and seeking medical help will help. At the same time, one should always take such anti-aging cosmetic treatments from a board-certified dermatologist to reduce their chances of risks. 

In rare cases, the risk of botulinum toxicity is seen in areas where the fluid of injection spreads. People may experience difficulty in breathing and speaking. In such situations, seeking medical help immediately is essential.  

How Long Does The Result Of Botox For Laugh Lines Last?

The result becomes visible after a day of the procedure, and the effects last for around 4 to 6 months. Usually, it depends on how old your skin is, how prominent the lines are, and how well the skin responds to the treatment. 

Procedure of Botox for laugh lines

Below are the steps involved in getting Botox treatment-

• The doctor will clean your face and remove all the makeup.
• A topical numbing cream will be applied to the face.
• With the help of a thin needle, the doctor will inject Botox into the targeted areas surrounding the mouth.
• You can leave the clinic after an hour, along with aftercare instructions from the doctor. 

Is Getting Botox For Laugh Lines Convenient?

Yes, it is a convenient and safe procedure that is completed within an hour, and one can drive back home on the same day. However, it is advised to avoid applying makeup and any other cosmetics for at least 24 hours. 

Botox for laugh lines is an easy and quick procedure with little downtime, making it convenient to get. 

Things To Know Before Getting Botox

If you are thinking about getting Botox for laugh lines, here are a few things that you should know beforehand about-

Your Wrinkles

Fine lines, smile lines, or wrinkles are a matter of aging and appear on everyone’s face after a certain age. Usually, their time of appearance also depends upon skin condition. If the skin’s elasticity is great, the probability of getting fine lines and wrinkles is less at an early age. Besides, how much you care about your skin also decides the appearance of aging lines. 

If you are getting smile lines, ensure where they appear before getting the treatment. Many people get confused between smile lines and other facial characteristics. So, know your smile lines and ensure that you want to get rid of them before visiting a doctor.

Your Skin Type

Inform your doctor about your skin type so that the right treatment line can be administered. At the same time, what is the targeted area also determines the type or concentration of injection. 

For instance, the skin on the forehead is thin compared to the skin around the eyes. In both cases, different injections are given to avoid complications or side effects.

Your Goals 

Make sure your expectations about Botox treatment are realistic. The procedure helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, laugh lines, and wrinkles but does not vanish them completely.

Once the effect of Botox starts reducing, laugh lines start becoming noticeable again. So, know beforehand that you will require repeated treatment to keep the smile wrinkle-free. 

How Many Units Of Botox For Laugh Lines

Laugh lines tend to get deep and wrinkly over time. Later, they become noticeable even if the person doesn’t smile or laugh. Usually, it is when they want to get Botox for laugh lines.

In such cases, the cosmetic surgeon recommends using around 5 to 10 units of Botox per side to diminish laugh lines.

How Does Botox Work?

Besides aging, excessive smoking, exposure to the sun, genetics, use of medications, health issues, etc., can be blamed for getting laugh lines. They appear around the corners of the mouth and become visible when one smiles or laughs. 

When a person is given Botox, the chemical relaxes and weakens the injected muscle. It makes the wrinkle less visible within a few days of getting the treatment. 

Botox for laugh lines is also used to reduce the look of a gummy smile (4). 

Conclusion

Botox for laugh lines is an effective procedure to reduce their appearance. It is not only a safe and convenient method but also cost-effective. Today, it is easy to find dermatologists that offer Botox treatment. 

However, ensure that you know its side effects and risks so that deciding whether you want it or not becomes easy.