DAO Botox

Do you worry that you have a “resting sad face” because the corners of your mouth turn downwards a little? Are you experiencing deepening folds that extend from the corner of your mouth? DAO Botox is the treatment that will flip your frown upside down. 

This quick, breezy treatment relaxes the downward-pulling muscles at the corner of the mouth to get your lower face looking happier and more youthful. 

This guide from our clinical team covers everything you need to know about DAO Botox: how it works, the kind of results you can expect, how much it costs, and more. 

What Is the DAO Muscle? 

DAO stands for depressor anguli oris, a muscle shaped like an inverse fan that connects from the outer corner of the mouth down to the lower jawbone. The DAO is a fairly superficial muscle, and its primary function is to help us frown. 

However, an overactive DAO muscle can pull the mouth downwards even when you’re not frowning, resulting in a downturned smile and even the illusion of jowling. 

How Does DAO Botox Work? 

DAO Botox works by reducing the amount of movement in the DAO muscle. Where Botox is injected, it blocks the neurotransmitter that tells muscles to contract. This forces the DAO muscle to relax and prevents the downward pull on the corners of the mouth. 

To treat the DAO, the injector first identifies exactly where the muscle is located. They will have your frown and smile to understand how it affects your facial expressions. Then, they will identify the injection points — usually just one or two points on each side of the face. 

DAO Botox Benefits 

The benefits of DAO Botox include: 

• Lifts the corners of your lips to correct a downturned mouth 
• Minimizes “marionette lines” at the corners of the lips 
• Reduces the appearance of “jowls” or puffiness caused by overactive DAO muscles 
• Results are visible within 2 weeks of one treatment 
• Relatively low-cost compared to most other cosmetic procedures 

How Many Units for DAO Botox?

Typically, just 4-6 units are needed in total for DAO Botox, by using 2-4 units per side. The exact number of units can vary depending on how strong or active your DAO muscle is, and whether you also need asymmetry correction, in which case one side may require more units than the other. 

How Long Do Results Take?

Botox takes at least a few days to take effect. You’ll notice less muscle movement about 5-7 days after your appointment, which will progressively become more pronounced until it reaches maximum effect at 2 weeks. 

DAO Botox Risks and Side Effects

Cosmetic Botox, especially when injected in small amounts like for the DAO, has very few risks or side effects. 

Common Botox Side Effects

The most common side effects are injection site reactions, such as: 

• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bruising 

These side effects are usually very short-lasting and tolerable. You may use a cold pack to soothe the area if necessary, but avoid using too much pressure or rubbing the area. 

Uncommon Risks 

• Aesthetic mishaps: Botox may affect other muscles if not injected correctly, potentially causing asymmetry or changes to the smile
• Allergic Reactions: may lead to itching, rash, dizziness, or trouble breathing 

It’s important to see a provider with experience and who takes the time to understand your facial anatomy and medical history before starting to inject. 

Please reach out to your medical provider if you experience trouble breathing or more severe/long-lasting side effects. 

How Much Does DAO Botox Cost? 

DAO Botox typically costs just $50-$130, depending on the number of units needed. Because Botox is priced by the unit, the more you need, the more it’ll cost. At SEV, we offer a free Botox lip flip for first-time injection clients, but if you wish, you can use those units towards a free DAO Botox session instead! 

When DAO Botox Alone Isn’t the Solution 

Botox isn’t a solution for all instances of marionette lines or jowling. With age, these concerns can appear as a result of loss of skin firmness or loss of volume beneath the skin. 

If those are the underlying reasons, you’ll need a solution that addresses them directly, such as skin treatments that stimulate collagen or fillers to address the volume loss. 

In some cases, it might be a combination of factors, in which case combining the right treatments will create the aesthetic outcomes you want. 

Combining DAO Botox with Other Injection Areas 

DAO Botox can pair well with Botox in other treatment areas, as well as with other aesthetic procedures to add volume or enhance overall skin quality. 

• Get a full non-surgical lower face lift with Botox in the DAO, platysma, and chin 
• Pair DAO Botox with facial balancing using filler 
• Add additional lift by firming the skin with a collagen-renewing treatment like SkinPen microneedling or Potenza

Bottom Line 

DAO Botox is a very effective solution for aesthetic concerns caused by the DAO muscle, such as a downward pull and folds at the corners of the mouth. 

It’s one of the quickest, most affordable ways to use Botox, with visible results within a couple of weeks. 

That said, it’s important that your injector has the necessary aesthetic experience, as improper technique can affect the symmetry of your smile. At SEV, our nurse injectors have the extensive experience and aesthetic background to deliver tailored, flattering results. 

If you’re new to cosmetic injections, you can book a consultation or free Botox intro offer at participating SEV locations.