Can I Really Give Myself a Facelift with Botox?
You’ve seen it…the injector with Sharpie dots all over their face. A “Botox facelift.” It looks dramatic, it gets clicks, but unfortunately, it also gets people’s hopes up.
Botox doesn’t give you a facelift. It’s not lifting tissue, repositioning fat pads, or tightening skin. Only surgery does that. What Botox, and other neurotoxins, can do is create the illusion of lift by relaxing certain muscles that pull things downward. In the right patient, that can make a real difference. But these techniques work best in people with good skin elasticity and minimal laxity. If you're hoping to replace surgery, this isn’t it.
Now let’s break it down.
Softening the Downturned Mouth with DAO
The depressor anguli oris muscle pulls the corners of the mouth down. You know that "resting sad face" some people get? That’s the DAO at work. By treating this muscle with tox, we stop that downward pull and allow the corners of the mouth to sit more naturally or even slightly lifted. It doesn’t change your anatomy, but it softens the expression. No more sad face.
Medial Brow Lift with Glabella Treatment
The glabella is the area between your brows where those "11s" show up. When we treat the muscles here, we reduce that inward, downward pull. The result is a subtle lift of the inner brows. It’s not a huge change, but it makes your eyes look less heavy and more open.
Lateral Brow Lift with Crow’s Feet Treatment
The orbicularis oculi muscle circles the eye and contributes to crow’s feet. A small amount of Botox near the tail of the brow can relax that muscle, which lets the brow sit slightly higher. It’s a favorite trick of mine for a more awake, refreshed look.
Nefertiti Lift for the Neck and Jawline
Now, this does not work on skin laxity or fat. It works on the muscle, the platysma muscle. The platysma muscle runs vertically down the neck and pulls on the jawline. Over time, these muscles can create visible bands and soften jaw definition. Botox in the platysma can reduce that downward tension, helping the jawline appear more defined. This is often called a Nefertiti Lift, and while it won’t replace surgery, it can improve the contour and make everything look a little more lifted on the right patient.
So Can Botox Lift?
Not in the surgical sense. But when you understand how facial muscles work, you can use Botox to shift the balance. Soften what’s pulling down, and you create space for the upward features to shine.
This is about small adjustments that make a big difference when done right. It’s not about overpromising or chasing trends. It’s about restoring balance, improving symmetry, and helping you look like the best version of yourself.
And that’s always the goal.