Marionette Lines Treatment in Glendale, CA — Botox for Mouth Corner Lines

Q: Is DAO Botox safe near the mouth?

Yes — when performed by an experienced injector using precise anatomical placement. The DAO muscle sits at a well-defined location below the oral commissure. Complications are rare but can include temporary asymmetry if placement is imprecise.

Q: How many units of Botox are needed for marionette lines?

DAO Botox typically requires 2-5 units per side (4-10 units total). The DAO is a relatively small muscle and responds well to conservative dosing. Overdosing can cause lip asymmetry, so experienced conservative technique is critical.

Q: How long does marionette line treatment last?

DAO Botox results last 3-4 months. Hyaluronic acid filler for marionette lines typically lasts 9-18 months depending on the product used and the patient's metabolism.

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Marionette lines treatment at Elevate Aesthetics Glendale

What Are Marionette Lines? How Does Treatment Work?

Marionette lines — the vertical grooves running from the corners of your mouth downward toward the chin — are named for the hinged jaw of marionette puppets, because they divide the lower face in a way that can make expressions look exaggerated or downward-turned. They form from a combination of volume loss in the midface and cheeks, downward pull of the DAO (depressor anguli oris) muscle at the mouth corners, and deepening skin folds. At Elevate Aesthetics in Glendale, we treat marionette lines with a tailored combination of Botox to the DAO muscle and hyaluronic acid filler to restore volume — delivering a lifted, natural correction without surgery.

The DAO muscle pulls the corners of the mouth downward. By injecting a small dose of Botox into the DAO bilaterally, the injector reduces the downward tension, allowing the opposing elevator muscles to lift the mouth corners slightly. This restores a neutral or subtly upturned mouth position, eliminating the default "frown" appearance caused by DAO dominance.

FDA-approved Botox targeting the DAO muscle to lift mouth corners
Optional filler combination to restore volume in the marionette crease
Corrects downturned mouth corners and puppet-like facial appearance
Non-surgical — no incisions, no anesthesia, no downtime
Free personalized consultations at our Glendale med spa

How Botox Treats Marionette Lines (DAO Relaxation)

The DAO (depressor anguli oris) is a paired muscle that pulls each mouth corner downward. When Botox is injected into the DAO at 2–5 units per side, the muscle's downward pull is reduced. The opposing zygomaticus major and levator anguli oris muscles — which lift the mouth corners — then operate with less resistance, producing a subtle but visible upward repositioning of the mouth commissure.

When Is Filler Needed for Marionette Lines?

For marionette lines with significant volume loss or deep creasing, dermal filler in the prejowl sulcus and along the marionette groove provides structural correction that Botox alone cannot. At Elevate Aesthetics, we assess whether DAO Botox alone, filler alone, or a combined approach best serves each patient's anatomy during consultation. Many patients achieve their best result with both: Botox to stop the downward pull and filler to restore the lost volume beneath the crease.

How marionette lines Botox works at Elevate Aesthetics Glendale

Marionette Lines Treatment Results: What to Expect

Results develop gradually with Botox, and immediately with filler if included.

Days 3–7

DAO Relaxation Begins

DAO relaxation begins. Mouth corners appear slightly more neutral.

Days 7–14

Visible Improvement

Visible improvement in downturned appearance. Marionette line softened.

Immediate (filler)

Volume Correction

If filler is added, volume correction and groove filling visible same day.

Week 2

Full Result

Balanced lower face, reduced puppet appearance, lifted mouth corners.

3–4 months

Duration

Botox lasts 3–4 months. Filler lasts 9–18 months depending on product.

Who Is a Candidate?

Visible mouth-to-chin grooves at rest
Chronic downturned mouth corners
Lower face volume loss contributing to marionette depth
Seeking non-surgical lower face improvement

Your Marionette Lines Appointment at Elevate Aesthetics

A personalized treatment that may include DAO Botox, marionette filler, or both — depending on your anatomy.

Free Consultation

Your injector evaluates your DAO muscle pull strength, marionette line depth, lower face volume, and jowl formation. We determine whether DAO Botox, marionette filler, or a combination is the right approach.

Topical Numbing

For DAO Botox, topical numbing is optional. If marionette filler is included, we apply topical numbing cream for 15–20 minutes before treatment.

Treatment

DAO Botox: 2–5 units per side injected below the oral commissure. Marionette filler (if included): hyaluronic acid filler placed along the prejowl sulcus and marionette groove. Full treatment takes 20–30 minutes.

Aftercare & Follow-Up

Avoid significant facial pressure for 24 hours. Filler may show mild swelling for 24–48 hours. Full results visible at 2 weeks. Follow-up included.

Marionette Lines Treatment Cost in Glendale, CA

Your cost depends on whether you need DAO Botox alone, filler alone, or a combined approach.

Treatment Area	Typical Units	Approx. Cost
DAO Botox only (both sides)	4–10 units	Starting at $40
Marionette Filler (per syringe)	1–2 syringes units	Starting at $650
DAO Botox + Marionette Filler	Combined approach units	Starting at $700

*Pricing subject to consultation. Filler pricing varies by product.

Marionette lines treatment pricing at Elevate Aesthetics Glendale

Marionette Lines FAQs — Glendale, CA

Answers to common questions about marionette lines treatment, DAO Botox, and filler.

Can Botox alone fix marionette lines?

Botox targets the DAO muscle and works well for patients whose marionette lines are primarily driven by muscle pull creating a downturned mouth. For lines primarily caused by volume loss and deep skin folding, filler is needed for structural correction. Many patients benefit from both.

Is DAO Botox safe near the mouth?

How many units of Botox are needed for marionette lines?

How long does marionette line treatment last?

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Elevate Aesthetics

509 1/2 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205

4.9

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday	10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday	10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday	Closed