Muscle Relaxers

It's no surprise that fine lines and wrinkles are one of the most common concerns of aging – after all, many begin to see them in their early 20's. They can be caused by age, lifestyle, genetics and repeated expressions, but the biggest culprit is sun damage from UVA and UVB rays. This is because the rays break down collagen-elastin in the skin, causing premature aging where the skin becomes weaker, thinner and less elastic. Areas where we tend to first notice fine lines and wrinkles include our foreheads, around our eyes and mouth – making us appear more tired, angry or older than we really are. We hear all the time, 'I've never smoked in my life yet have all these upper lip lines' We call these barcode lines and when a lip flip is performed, a nice side effect as well as a slightly fuller looking upper lip, is that it prevents the upper lip lines/barcode lines from growing deeper and longer.  Its ok to age gracefully and have some lines and wrinkles but if we can help slow down the process, why not. Lines around the mouth are one of the most sought after to have softened or smoothened, yet, to look natural. Thankfully, at Modern You we have just the right treatment for this. So contact us today to minimize those fine lines and wrinkles and look refreshed.

Botox® is a neurotoxin that works by temporarily relaxing muscles through neurotransmitter inhibition. Similar alternatives include Xeomin™ Nuceiva and Dysport™, which are different versions of botulinum toxin type A, used both therapeutically and cosmetically for years.

When Botox® is injected above the border of the upper lip, it relaxes the upper orbicularis oris muscle, (the upper lip muscle). This results in a gentle  'flip' of the upper lip, creating a slightly raised, fuller, and larger appearance upon smiling.

This procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals with naturally smaller lips that seem to get much smaller when smiling or curl inward and downward, as Botox® can provide a fuller look upon smiling.

The procedure should only be performed by a trained Nurse or Physician and the entire process takes less than 15 minutes.

The results of the Botox® 'lip flip' gradually appear over about a week, like other Botox® treatments, and typically last 2 - 3 months, depending on individual reactions to the treatment. To maintain the results, touch-up treatments are necessary. It's important to note that Botox® on the lips tends to wear out faster due to the increased movement in that area

Indeed, one of the fascinating benefits of using Botox® on the upper lip muscle, is that it can also address the issue of a 'gummy smile' in the same procedure. If you are an individual that upon a smile, show a lot of your gums and it isn't visibly desirable to you, relaxing the upper lip muscle will slightly drop the lip so the gums aren't exposed. 

There are different dosages that will be specific to how much of the gums you want exposed or not exposed and your treatment provider would educate you on this at the consult prior to treatment.

As Botox® relaxes the upper lip muscle, it causes the upper lip to create a fuller appearance. When you smile, less of your gums will be visible above your teeth, effectively reducing the prominence of a 'gummy smile.' This dual enhancement allows for a more harmonious and confident smile, making the procedure even more attractive to those seeking to address both concerns in one treatment.

If you have a smile that causes your lip anatomy to cover your teeth almost entirely, then this MAY NOT be the procedure for you, as even the most slightest of relaxation to the upper lip muscle may cause not being able to see your teeth upon a smile at all. 

If upper lip barcode lines are the concern, a different placement of the neurotoxin on the upper lip to reduce or prevent lines will be suggested. 

Exactly! A Botox® 'lip flip' and lip filler injections are indeed different procedures, serving distinct purposes in lip enhancement.

The Botox® 'lip flip' involves using Botox® to  gently relax the upper lip muscle, causing the upper lip to have a fuller appearance. It is specifically used in small amounts just above the
upper lip  border, near the cupid's bow and/or slightly beside.

On the other hand, lip fillers such as Revanesse®  Teosyal and Restylane, are used to add subtle volume to the lips. The dermal filler is injected into specific areas of the lips, providing a volumizing effect with a sterile, stable hylauronic acid gel. Individuals wanting an extremely subtle enhancement, such as hydration versus volume, then a smaller HA dermal filler and amount will be chosen. Over the next 6 to 12 months, the HA dermal filler gradually dissolves, but during that time, it can maintain a temporary yet long-term shaping effect, offering fuller and more defined lips.

For peace of mind, HA dermal lip fillers may be reversed in rare instances that the enhancement was not desirable. Dermal Fillers are  non-refundable, yet HA dermal fillers are reversible through an injection of the enzyme Hylauronadaise.

If you desire a more dramatic lip enhancement, such as defining the cupid's bow or vermillion borders or achieving significantly larger lips, a thicker volume HA  lip filler injections would be suggested. Best to always go in stages when achieving your desired lip size separated by 3-6 week intervals for many reasons.

Depending on your natural lip anatomy or wanting to start fresh with a replacement of your current or old lip filler, regardless of your lip status, the great news is that you can combine a Botox® 'lip flip' with lip filler injections for a comprehensive non-surgical lip enhancement, achieving the best of both worlds – a slight fuller appearance with additional subtle volume and shape in the areas you desire. By combining these procedures, you can achieve the ideal lip enhancement tailored to your preferences and beautiful unique features that belong only to you.

Pricing for lip flip is featured on our price list page!

**It is essential to be cautious about extremely low price points for Botox® and all neurotoxins and dermal fillers for that matter. Prices that seem too good to be true may involve diluted down, black market (yes, this exists unfortunetly) substandard products and/or not ordering from Health Canada approved distributors, which can compromise the effectiveness and more importantly, the safety of the treatment. Inexperienced injectors  WITHOUT an experienced medical director (Physician or Nurse Practitioner) may also offer lower prices, potentially leading to unsatisfactory results and in some cases, needing to seek out a cosmetic plastic surgeon or a dermatologist in urgent cases. Best to research your place of treatment and their medical providers thoroughly.**

Remember that the success of a Botox® 'lip flip' isn't solely determined by the amount of Botox® used. A skilled injector can achieve excellent results using less Botox® compared to an inexperienced one using more. It all comes down to the injector's expertise, knowledge of facial anatomy, and experience in determining what works effectively for each individual.

Botox® used for facial slimming is also known to effectively treat temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which is why it's sometimes referred to as "TMJ Botox®." Despite having different goals, the injection points for both treatments are nearly the same.

The masseter muscle is responsible for this area, while the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint involved in chewing. When individuals grind their teeth (bruxism), it can lead to TMJ pain syndrome, medically known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) or TMJD. TMD encompasses various issues that cause misalignment of the TMJ with the skull and face muscles, which can result from injury, arthritis, or other health conditions.

TMD is not solely a dental health issue; it can cause significant pain and discomfort. People with TMD often wake up with headaches, including migraines, and experience pain or tension in their neck, face, ears, and teeth.

Botox® can be used to relax the muscles around the TMJ regions, inhibiting the involuntary impulses to clench, bite, or grind. The neurotoxin partially paralyzes the muscles, preventing them from engaging in these behaviors. This can be life-changing for individuals suffering from TMJ pain, providing a long-term alternative to medication.

Similarly, Botox® has proven effective in treating migraine headaches and other types of joint pain. Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the effects, with visible results usually appearing 1 to 2 weeks after injections. Depending on the individual, the effects can last around 3 to 4 months.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to TMD or bruxism, contact us to book a free consult and explore whether Botox® treatment could be a suitable and effective option for you.

Consulting with one of our nurses is the best approach to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and pricing for your unique situation. Visit our price list or contact us to get a quote for TMJ botox! 

At Modern You we use BOTOX®, Dysport or Nuceiva as an alternative treatment for TMJ disorder and its associated jaw tension and pain. When injected into the masseter muscles(chewing muscle), injections for TMJ can relieve symptoms for many patients. Injections often eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding, and, in cases of severe stress, these injections can even minimise lock-jaw. 

Additional sites such as temporal muscles may be injected as well, depending on the severity of the pain.

Only the targeted areas injected will be “relaxed.” (Botox, Dysport and Nuceiva treatment for TMJ disorder will not affect other locations in your body.)

You are absolutely right. Masseter Botox® injections are not solely sought for pain relief but are also desired by many individuals who wish to achieve a slimmer jawline contour.

The masseter muscle, located near the jawline, is exercised during activities such as chewing, speaking, and laughing. Like body muscles that grow with exercise, an overactive masseter muscle can give the appearance of a rounder face or a more defined jawline. While some people prefer this look, others, especially desire a V-line face shape with a slimmer jawline.

The end result of these treatments is a slimmer face, aligning with the goal of individuals seeking this cosmetic enhancement.

Visible results typically appear around 1 to 2 weeks after the injections. To maintain the desired outcome, treatments need to be repeated every 3 to 4 months, depending on how the individual's body reacts to the Botox® substance.