DAO Botox Treatment
DAO Botox is a non-surgical injectable treatment used to reduce excessive downward pull at the corners of the mouth. The treatment targets the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscles, which help pull the mouth corners down and can contribute to a naturally downturned, sad or stern-looking expression.
Small amounts of botulinum toxin are used to temporarily reduce selected DAO muscle activity. This can soften the downward pull and create a subtle, more balanced appearance around the lower face without adding volume.
Vitalis Luxe Clinic provides personalised DAO Botox treatment in Cottingham, near Hull, East Yorkshire. Your facial movement, mouth-corner position and lower-face anatomy are assessed before treatment is recommended. You can also explore our full range of Botox and anti-wrinkle treatments.
What Does the DAO Muscle Do?
DAO stands for depressor anguli oris, a paired facial muscle located in the lower face.
Its main action is to pull the corners of the mouth downward. When these muscles are particularly active, they can make the mouth appear downturned even when the face is relaxed.
The relationship is:
DAO muscle → pulls mouth corners downward → contributes to a downturned expression.
The appearance of the lower face is influenced by several muscles and structural features, so the DAO should be assessed as part of the wider facial anatomy rather than in isolation. Pasted markdown
How Does DAO Botox Work?
Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces activity in the DAO muscles.
When the downward pull becomes weaker, the muscles that oppose the DAO can have relatively more influence on the position of the mouth corners. This may create a subtle softening or lifting effect.
The treatment relationship is:
Botulinum toxin → reduces DAO activity → decreases downward pull → may soften downturned mouth corners.
DAO Botox is intended to modify muscle movement. It does not add volume, remove loose skin or physically reposition the tissues of the lower face. Pasted markdown
What Happens During DAO Botox Treatment?
If DAO treatment is considered appropriate, small amounts of botulinum toxin are administered into selected areas associated with the depressor anguli oris muscles.
The aim is to reduce excessive downward muscular pull while preserving normal lower-face movement and expression.
DAO Botox is a non-surgical injectable treatment, and the procedure itself is generally brief.
After treatment, your practitioner will explain what to expect and provide personalised aftercare guidance.
Why Do the Corners of the Mouth Turn Down?
A downturned mouth can have more than one cause.
Possible contributors include:
- Strong DAO muscle activity
- Individual facial anatomy
- Changes in lower-face volume
- Skin laxity
- Age-related changes
- Jowling
- Facial asymmetry
- A combination of muscular and structural factors
Understanding the cause matters because DAO Botox primarily addresses muscular downward pull.
Where volume loss, laxity or another structural change is the main concern, a different or combined treatment may be more appropriate. Pasted markdown
Who May Be Suitable for DAO Botox?
DAO Botox may be considered when strong depressor anguli oris activity contributes to the corners of the mouth turning downward.
You may be suitable if:
- Your mouth corners naturally pull downward
- The downturned appearance becomes stronger during facial movement
- DAO muscle activity is contributing to the concern
- You want a non-surgical injectable treatment
- You understand that the result is temporary
- Treatment is considered appropriate following assessment
Suitability depends on the cause of the concern rather than the appearance of the mouth corners alone.
Where Is DAO Botox Injected?
DAO Botox targets the depressor anguli oris muscles in the lower face.
Exact placement depends on individual anatomy and muscle movement.
The DAO sits close to other muscles involved in lower-lip and mouth movement, including the depressor labii inferioris (DLI). Because neighbouring muscles perform different functions, accurate anatomical assessment is important when treatment is planned. Pasted markdown
What Results Can DAO Botox Achieve?
Where strong DAO activity is contributing to the concern, treatment may help:
- Reduce downward pull at the mouth corners
- Soften a downturned resting expression
- Create a subtle change in mouth-corner position
- Improve lower-face balance
- Reduce the appearance of a sad or stern expression
The result is usually subtle.
DAO Botox does not physically lift the tissues in the same way as surgery and should not be expected to correct every cause of lower-face ageing.
Your DAO Botox Consultation
Your consultation focuses on the movement and balance of the lower face.
Your practitioner may assess:
- Mouth-corner position
- DAO muscle activity
- Facial symmetry
- Smile movement
- Lower-lip movement
- Chin and lower-face balance
- Jowling or skin laxity
- Volume changes
- Previous aesthetic treatments
- Relevant medical history
- Your preferred outcome
This helps determine whether reducing DAO activity is likely to address your concern.
DAO Botox Before and After
DAO Botox before-and-after results are usually assessed by looking at the resting position of the mouth corners, lower-face balance and how the area moves during expression.
Before DAO Botox
Before treatment, strong DAO activity may pull the mouth corners downward and contribute to a sad, stern or downturned appearance.
Your practitioner can assess the lower face at rest and during movement to understand how much of the concern is being created by muscle activity.
After DAO Botox
Once treatment has taken effect, the downward pull may become less pronounced.
The mouth corners may appear subtly softer or more balanced, while normal facial expression is maintained.
Results vary because the position of the mouth corners is influenced by both muscular activity and structural facial features.
Can DAO Botox Look Natural?
Yes. The goal is generally a subtle reduction in excessive downward pull rather than a dramatic change to the lower face.
Natural-looking results depend on:
- Correct assessment of the concern
- Understanding of lower-face anatomy
- Conservative treatment planning
- Appropriate placement
- Individual muscle response
The aim is to preserve normal movement while softening the muscular contribution to a downturned expression.
Does DAO Botox Lift Jowls?
DAO Botox should not be considered a direct treatment for significant jowls.
Jowling can involve changes in skin laxity, volume distribution and underlying facial structure.
Reducing DAO activity may influence lower-face expression, but it cannot remove loose skin or replace lost structural support.
If jowls are the main concern, your practitioner can assess whether another treatment approach would be more appropriate. Pasted markdown
What Are the Side Effects of DAO Botox?
Temporary effects around the treatment area may include:
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Small injection marks
- Mild swelling
- Bruising
Because the DAO sits near muscles involved in lower-lip movement, unwanted functional or cosmetic changes are also possible.
These can include asymmetry or temporary changes in the way the lower lip or smile moves.
Can DAO Botox Go Wrong?
Unwanted results are possible if treatment affects the lower-face muscles differently from intended.
Potential concerns include:
- Uneven mouth-corner movement
- Smile asymmetry
- A crooked-looking smile
- Temporary lower-lip weakness
- Changes in normal lower-lip movement
The close relationship between the DAO and neighbouring lower-face muscles is one reason anatomical assessment and careful treatment planning are important. Pasted markdown
Our Founder
Dr. Naveed Shaikh - MBBS (Newcastle upon Tyne) MRCGP
Dr Naveed Shaikh is the founder of Vitalis Luxe Clinic and holds MBBS (Newcastle upon Tyne) and MRCGP qualifications. His medical background supports a consultation-led approach across men’s health and aesthetic care, with treatment decisions based on individual concerns, medical history, suitability and realistic goals.
Dr Naveed also sees patients at Optima Clinic in Hull, where consultations and selected treatments can be provided within a professional clinical setting.
Vitalis Luxe Clinic operates as Dr Naveed’s independent practice, providing personalised men’s health and aesthetic care. Where Optima Clinic is used as a consultation or treatment venue, Vitalis Luxe Clinic remains a separate independent service.
Why Choose Vitalis Luxe Clinic for DAO Botox?
A downturned mouth can have muscular and structural causes, so treatment should begin by identifying what is actually contributing to the concern.
At Vitalis Luxe Clinic, our approach includes:
- Individual lower-face assessment
- Assessment of DAO muscle activity
- Review of mouth-corner and smile movement
- Personalised treatment planning
- Conservative treatment goals
- Natural-looking results
- Clear discussion of limitations and risks
- Personalised aftercare
- Private treatment in Cottingham near Hull
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheek Filler
What is DAO Botox?
DAO Botox is a non-surgical injectable treatment that uses botulinum toxin to temporarily reduce activity in the depressor anguli oris muscles, which contribute to pulling the corners of the mouth downward.
What does DAO mean?
DAO stands for depressor anguli oris, a facial muscle that contributes to downward movement of the mouth corners.
Does DAO Botox actually work?
DAO Botox may help where strong DAO muscle activity contributes to a downturned mouth. Results depend on individual anatomy and the underlying cause of the concern.
How Much Does DAO Botox Cost?
The exact cost depends on the individual treatment plan recommended following consultation.
Your practitioner needs to assess the mouth corners, facial movement and lower-face anatomy before confirming the appropriate treatment approach.
Vitalis Luxe Clinic can confirm the treatment price during your consultation.
Is DAO Botox Permanent?
No.
DAO Botox temporarily changes muscle activity.
As the treatment wears off, normal DAO activity gradually returns and the downward pull at the mouth corners may become more noticeable again.
Patients who are happy with the result may consider repeat treatment after reassessment.
Is DAO Botox a Non-Surgical Injectable Treatment?
Yes.
DAO Botox is a non-surgical injectable treatment that uses botulinum toxin to temporarily reduce selected muscle activity in the lower face.
It does not involve surgery and does not add dermal filler.
Its effect comes from modifying muscular pull rather than adding volume.
DAO Botox vs Dermal Filler
DAO Botox and dermal filler address different causes of a downturned lower face.
DAO Botox | Dermal Filler |
Targets muscle activity | Adds structural support or volume |
Reduces downward DAO pull | Addresses selected volume-related concerns |
Does not add volume | Adds injectable material |
Best suited to a muscular component | May be considered where structural changes contribute |
Temporary neuromodulator effect | Temporary volumising/support effect |
Neither approach is automatically better.
The appropriate treatment depends on whether the concern is mainly muscular, structural or a combination of both.
Can DAO Botox Affect Your Smile?
DAO treatment is planned to reduce downward muscle activity while maintaining normal expression.
However, neighbouring muscles also contribute to the movement of the lips and smile.
If muscle balance is altered more than intended, temporary smile asymmetry or changes in lower-lip movement can occur.
Your practitioner should discuss these risks before treatment.
Does DAO Botox lift jowls?
DAO Botox is not a direct treatment for significant jowling. Jowls can involve skin laxity and structural changes that may require another approach.
How long does DAO Botox take to work?
The effect develops gradually after treatment. Your practitioner will advise when the developed result should be assessed.
Book a DAO Botox Consultation
Book a consultation at Vitalis Luxe Clinic to discuss your lower-face concerns and treatment goals.
Your practitioner will assess your mouth-corner position, facial movement and lower-face anatomy before explaining whether DAO Botox or another treatment approach may be appropriate.