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DAO Botox® Before and After Results in Pinecrest, FL
What Results Look Like, How Treatment Works, and Whether You Are a Candidate
DAO Botox® before-and-after results vary based on facial anatomy, muscle strength, and whether a downturned mouth corner is driven by muscle activity, volume loss, or both. At R&R Skin and Aesthetics in Pinecrest, FL, we evaluate the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle during an in-person assessment to determine the best treatment, whether it’s neurotoxin, filler, or a combination, since not all downturned mouth corners are DAO-related.
Patients in Pinecrest, Coral Gables, and Kendall often describe a resting expression that appears stern or sad even when relaxed. South Florida’s year-round visibility, from outdoor events along Biscayne Bay to professional settings throughout South Miami-Dade, makes mouth corner positioning a concern patients notice consistently in photos and daily life. R&R’s clinicians evaluate movement, resting position, volume, and skin quality before discussing any approach.
What Is the DAO Muscle?
The depressor anguli oris (DAO) is a facial muscle that pulls the mouth corners downward, giving a stern look even at rest. This can lead to patients being perceived as unhappy when they are not. Additionally, volume loss in the cheeks or jawline can create a similar expression, so a thorough assessment is necessary before recommending treatment.
How DAO Treatment Works
A small amount of neurotoxin is injected into the DAO muscle on each side of the mouth, temporarily reducing its downward contraction. This allows the corners of the mouth to rest in a more neutral position. The in-office treatment requires no downtime.
Effects are typically noticeable within 5 to 14 days and last 3 to 4 months, depending on individual factors. Mild bruising or swelling at the injection site may occur but usually resolves within a few days.
What Treatment Can and Cannot Change
What DAO Treatment May Address:
- Downward pull at the mouth corners caused by active DAO muscle contraction
- Resting expression that appears stern, sad, or fatigued due to muscle tension
- Asymmetric corner positioning when one DAO muscle pulls more than the other
What DAO Treatment Does Not Address:
- Volume loss in the lower face or along the jawline
- Marionette lines that are structural rather than muscular
- Skin laxity or skin quality changes around the mouth
Who May Be a Candidate?
Candidates for DAO Botox® treatment in Pinecrest are typically assessed on the following factors:
- Demonstrable DAO muscle activity contributing to downturning at the mouth corners
- A resting expression that reads as stern, sad, or fatigued due to muscular pull rather than volume loss
- Facial movement during animation that confirms DAO engagement on one or both sides
- Skin quality and volume consistent with a neurotoxin approach rather than filler alone
Patients whose primary concern is structural or volume-driven may be better suited for dermal filler or a combination approach. Begin with a skin care consultation if you are unsure where to start.
Neurotoxin vs Filler for Mouth Corner Concerns
Neurotoxin and filler work through different mechanisms. The appropriate choice depends on the underlying cause of the concern.
- Neurotoxin Treatments (DAO Treatment): Temporarily reduce muscular downward pull. Appropriate for downturning driven by active muscle contraction. Effects typically last 3 to 4 months.
- Dermal Filler: Adds volume at the corner of the mouth or along the marionette area. Appropriate for downturning driven by volume loss or structural change. Effects generally last longer than neurotoxin alone.
Neither approach is universally superior. The right option depends on the underlying cause, which we confirm through an in-person assessment at R&R.
Serving Pinecrest and South Miami-Dade
R&R Skin and Aesthetics provides DAO Botox® Pinecrest and downturned mouth Botox® assessments for patients from Pinecrest, Kendall, Dadeland, and Palmetto Bay. Patients from South Miami and Coral Gables are also welcome at 9069 S Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, FL 33156.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DAO muscle and what does it do?
The DAO (depressor anguli oris) pulls the corners of the mouth downward. When it is hyperactive, the corners may appear sad or stern even at rest. Neurotoxin temporarily reduces that downward pull.
How do I know if I am a candidate for DAO Botox® in Pinecrest?
Candidacy depends on whether downturning is due to DAO muscle activity. An R&R clinician will assess this in person.
Does DAO treatment hurt?
Most patients describe the injections as a brief pinch. Topical numbing is available on request. Mild tenderness or bruising may occur and resolves within a few days.
When will I see results?
Most patients notice onset within 5 to 14 days, with the full effect visible by 2 weeks. Timing varies by individual.
How long do results last?
Results typically last 3 to 4 months. Duration varies based on muscle mass, metabolism, and the neurotoxin selected. Repeat treatment maintains the effect.
What if I look asymmetric after treatment?
Mild asymmetry can occur and may reflect pre-existing differences in DAO muscle strength. If it’s noticeable at 2 weeks, we can evaluate a small correction at follow-up.
Can DAO Botox® be combined with filler?
Some patients benefit from both DAO neurotoxin and filler at the mouth corners or marionette area, depending on their anatomy and underlying cause.
Ready to Find Out If DAO Treatment Fits Your Goals?
R&R Skin and Aesthetics provides Botox® for mouth corners and full lower-face assessments at 9069 S Dixie Highway in Pinecrest, FL. Call 305-631-2118 or explore the full range of medical spa services in Pinecrest to schedule your evaluation.