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Your Botox Guide: Every Area We Treat and What to Expect

By TOTAL BODY AESTHETIC  |  September 14, 2023

Botox — or more broadly, neurotoxin therapy — is one of the most versatile and widely requested treatments in aesthetic medicine. But despite its popularity, many patients arrive at their first consultation without knowing just how many areas it can address, both cosmetically and functionally. This guide covers every treatment zone we work with at Total Body Aesthetic in Westchester, Los Angeles — from the forehead to the shoulders — so you can walk in informed and walk out looking exactly like yourself, only more refreshed.

Neurotoxins work by temporarily relaxing the underlying muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles and movement-related changes in the face and body. The results are subtle when done well — not frozen, not overdone, but genuinely refreshed. The key is knowing exactly which muscles to treat, in what amounts, and for what goal. That precision is everything.

Facial Treatment Areas

Forehead

The forehead is the most commonly treated area — and the most misunderstood. Horizontal lines across the forehead are caused by the frontalis muscle, which pulls the brows upward every time you raise them in surprise, concern, or conversation. Over years, these repeated contractions etch lines into the skin that eventually stay visible even at rest.

Treating the forehead requires careful calibration. The frontalis is also the muscle responsible for lifting the brows, so over-treating it leads to brow heaviness or drooping — a result no one wants. At Total Body Aesthetic, we place conservative amounts in strategic points to soften the lines while keeping natural movement and brow position intact.

Ideal for: Horizontal forehead lines, forehead wrinkles at rest, expressions that feel "too visible" on the forehead.

Between the Brows — The "11s"

Glabellar lines — the vertical creases that appear between the brows when you furrow or concentrate — are among the easiest areas to treat effectively. These lines are driven by three muscles: the corrugator supercilii, the procerus, and the depressor supercilii. Together they create the scowling or furrowing look that many patients describe as making them appear angry or tired even when they're not.

A few precise injections into these muscles can soften or completely eliminate the "11s," giving the face a more open and approachable appearance. This is often the first area new Botox patients treat — and the one they come back to consistently.

Ideal for: Deep "11" lines between the brows, chronic furrowing, resting "angry face" appearance.

Eyes — Crow's Feet, Under-Eye Lines & Brow Lift

The area around the eyes is one of the first places age shows, and neurotoxins address it from multiple angles. Crow's feet — the fan-shaped lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes — are caused by the orbicularis oculi muscle, which contracts every time you squint or smile. A small amount of neurotoxin placed here smooths these lines without affecting your natural smile.

Under-eye wrinkles that appear when you squint or smile can also be softened with conservative treatment in the lower lash line. This requires precision: too much product here can affect tear drainage or create a puffy appearance. Our injectors are trained specifically to avoid these pitfalls.

The lateral brow lift is one of the most transformative small-area treatments we offer. By relaxing the muscle that pulls the outer brow downward, the tail of the brow lifts naturally — opening the eye and creating a more alert, rested look without any surgery. It is a subtle change that makes a significant difference.

Ideal for: Crow's feet, squint lines, under-eye crinkling, brow heaviness or drooping at the outer corners.

Nose — Bunny Lines & Nasal Tip Lift

Bunny lines are the diagonal wrinkles that appear on either side of the nose when you scrunch or laugh. They are caused by the nasalis muscle and often become more pronounced in patients who have had Botox in other facial areas — the muscles compensate. Treating bunny lines is a quick, painless addition to any facial Botox session.

The nasal tip lift is a lesser-known but highly effective treatment. A small injection into the depressor septi nasi muscle — which pulls the tip of the nose downward — allows the tip to lift slightly. This is ideal for patients whose nose tip dips when they smile, creating a more balanced and aesthetic profile.

Ideal for: Diagonal wrinkles on the nose bridge, nose tip that dips when smiling.

Lower Face & Mouth — Lip Flip, Marionette Lines & Smoker's Lines

The lower face offers multiple targets for neurotoxin therapy. The Botox Lip Flip is one of our most popular treatments: a few units placed along the upper orbicularis oris muscle cause the lip to relax and roll slightly outward, giving the appearance of more volume without filler. It is a subtle, natural-looking enhancement that works beautifully on its own or paired with a touch of lip filler.

Marionette lines — the vertical creases that pull the corners of the mouth downward — are driven by the depressor anguli oris muscle. A small injection here lifts the corners of the mouth and reduces the sad or stern expression that comes with facial aging.

Smoker's lines (perioral lines) are the fine vertical wrinkles that appear above and below the lips. Whether or not you've ever smoked, these lines develop from years of pursing the lips. Neurotoxin placed along the lip border softens these lines considerably, and is frequently combined with skin resurfacing for optimal results.

Ideal for: Lip volume without filler, downturned mouth corners, vertical lip lines, perioral wrinkles.

Chin — Dimpling & Texture

The mentalis muscle at the chin creates the dimpled or "orange peel" texture many patients notice when they tighten their lower face. This irregular surface can make the chin appear uneven or roughened. Neurotoxin injected into the mentalis smooths the chin pad, creating a cleaner and more refined appearance. It is commonly combined with chin filler for patients seeking enhanced chin projection.

Ideal for: Dimpled chin, pebbled or orange-peel chin texture, chin muscle tension.

Jawline — Masseter Reduction

Masseter Botox — injections into the large chewing muscles on either side of the jaw — is one of the most impactful treatments we offer. The masseter can become enlarged from teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, or simply genetics. When this muscle bulges, it creates a wide, squared jaw shape that many patients want to slim.

A series of injections into the masseter reduces its bulk over time, slimming the lower face and creating a softer, more V-shaped contour. Beyond cosmetics, it significantly reduces jaw tension, headaches related to clenching, and even TMJ discomfort — making it one of the few aesthetic treatments that is simultaneously functional.

Ideal for: Wide or square jaw shape, teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, TMJ tension and associated headaches.

Neck & Body Treatment Areas

Neck — Platysmal Bands

The platysma is a broad, flat muscle that runs from the chest and shoulders up through the neck. As we age, vertical bands from this muscle become increasingly visible — especially when tensed — creating the appearance of a "turkey neck" or stringy neck cords. Neurotoxin injections placed along these bands relax them, softening the neck's appearance and reducing the prominence of those vertical lines.

Neck Botox works best on visible, active bands. It does not address skin laxity, so it is often combined with treatments like TempSure or Sylfirm X for patients with significant skin loosening. Results typically last three to four months.

Ideal for: Visible neck bands, neck muscle tension, early neck aging.

Jawline & Neck — The Nefertiti Lift

The Nefertiti Lift is a specialized treatment that combines injections along the lower jawline and upper neck to redefine the jaw and lift the neck. It works by relaxing the downward-pulling platysma bands and the muscles that drag the lower face down with gravity and age. The result is a crisper jawline, softer jowling, and a more elevated neck profile — all without surgery.

Named for the Egyptian queen renowned for her long, defined neck and striking profile, the Nefertiti Lift is a favorite among patients in their mid-30s to 50s who want to address early jowling without going under the knife.

Ideal for: Softening jowls, defining the jawline, lifting the neck, early facial descent.

Shoulders — Trapezius ("Traptox")

Traptox — neurotoxin injected into the upper trapezius muscles — has become one of the most requested treatments for patients dealing with chronic shoulder and neck tension, often driven by long hours at a desk or carrying stress in the upper body. When the trapezius muscle is treated, it relaxes, reducing the bulk of the upper shoulders and creating a more elongated, elegant neck-to-shoulder line.

The cosmetic benefit is significant — many patients report a more refined shoulder silhouette and a neck that appears longer and more graceful. The functional benefit is equally real: reduced headaches, less shoulder stiffness, and genuine relief from the chronic tightness many people have normalized as just "the way they feel."

Ideal for: Chronic neck and shoulder tension, trapezius muscle bulk, headaches from upper body tension, desire for a longer neck profile.

Sweat Reduction — Hyperhidrosis Treatment

Excessive sweating — clinically known as hyperhidrosis — is one of the most effective conditions neurotoxins can address. When injected into the sweat glands of the underarms, palms, or soles of the feet, neurotoxin blocks the nerve signals that trigger sweating. The result is a dramatic and lasting reduction in perspiration in those areas.

Underarm treatment is the most commonly requested area and typically provides six to twelve months of relief — significantly longer than results in facial areas. Palm and foot treatments follow a similar approach and are life-changing for patients who experience sweating that interferes with daily life, work, or confidence.

Ideal for: Excessive underarm sweating, sweaty palms, hyperhidrosis of the feet.

Common Cosmetic Lift Treatments

Brow Lift

The non-surgical brow lift is one of the most elegant uses of neurotoxin therapy. Several muscles are responsible for pulling the brows downward — particularly the lateral depressors and the corrugators. By selectively relaxing these muscles, the frontalis (brow elevator) is given freedom to lift the brow without opposition. The result is a naturally elevated brow that opens the eye and creates a more rested, youthful expression.

The amount of lift achieved depends on the individual's anatomy and the specific placement used. Most patients see a measurable lift of two to four millimeters — subtle on paper, but significant in the mirror. The chemical brow lift is commonly combined with filler along the brow bone for patients seeking a more defined arch.

Ideal for: Heavy, drooping brows, brow asymmetry, desire to open the eye area without surgery.

Gummy Smile

A gummy smile — where a significant amount of upper gum is visible when you smile — can be corrected quickly and effectively with neurotoxin. A small amount placed in the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (the muscle that elevates the upper lip when smiling) reduces the degree to which the lip pulls upward, allowing it to sit lower and cover more of the gum line.

The treatment takes under five minutes and requires only two to four units of neurotoxin. The result is a more balanced smile that shows your teeth without excessive gum exposure. Results typically last three to four months.

Ideal for: Excessive gum display when smiling, upper lip that lifts too high, desire for a more balanced smile.

Common Functional Treatments

TMJ & Jaw Tension

Beyond slimming the jaw cosmetically, masseter injections are a highly effective treatment for TMJ disorder — temporomandibular joint dysfunction — and the associated tension, pain, and headaches that come with it. The masseter is often the root cause of jaw soreness, headaches that originate at the temples, and even disrupted sleep from clenching.

When the masseter is treated with neurotoxin, its force is dramatically reduced. Patients typically report that jaw clicking, soreness, and related headaches diminish significantly within two to three weeks of their first treatment. Many find that regular maintenance every four to six months transforms their daily comfort and quality of life.

Ideal for: Jaw pain and soreness, TMJ dysfunction, teeth grinding, morning headaches, worn-down teeth from clenching.

Chronic Migraines

Neurotoxin therapy for chronic migraines is an FDA-approved treatment that has helped millions of patients reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches. Injections are placed into specific muscle sites across the head, neck, and shoulders — typically around 31 injections across seven key areas — every twelve weeks.

Patients with chronic migraines (defined as 15 or more headache days per month) typically see a meaningful reduction in headache days within the first treatment cycle, with progressive improvement over subsequent sessions. It does not eliminate migraines entirely for everyone, but the reduction in severity and frequency is often clinically significant.

Ideal for: Chronic migraines, frequent headaches, headaches associated with neck and jaw tension.

Eye Twitching — Blepharospasm

Involuntary eyelid spasms — a condition known as blepharospasm — can range from mildly annoying to genuinely debilitating. Neurotoxin injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyelid interrupts the nerve signals that trigger the spasm, providing relief that typically lasts three to four months.

This is one of the oldest medical applications of neurotoxin therapy, with a well-established safety and efficacy record. Patients who have been dealing with chronic eye twitching often find this treatment to be straightforwardly life-improving.

Ideal for: Chronic eye twitching, involuntary eyelid spasms, blepharospasm.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Every Botox appointment at Total Body Aesthetic begins with a thorough consultation. We assess your anatomy, listen to your goals, and map out a treatment plan specific to your face and needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here — the number of units, the placement, and the technique are all individualized.

The injections themselves take between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the number of areas being treated. There is minimal discomfort — most patients describe a light pinch. You can return to normal activity immediately, with a few simple guidelines: avoid lying flat for four hours, skip intense exercise for the day, and don't rub the treated areas.

Results begin appearing within three to five days and reach their full effect at two weeks. We schedule a complimentary two-week follow-up for all new patients to assess your results and make any small adjustments needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Botox