What It Is
DAO Botox refers to botulinum toxin injections into the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, a small triangular muscle at the corners of the mouth. The DAO muscle pulls the corners of the lips downward when frowning or expressing sadness.
When this muscle is overactive, it can create a permanently downturned mouth appearance, sometimes called a “sad mouth” or “resting unhappy face.”
By injecting Botox into the DAO muscle:
- The downward pull is weakened.
- The corners of the mouth lift slightly.
- The face looks softer, happier, and more youthful.
In Korea, DAO Botox is one of the most popular lower-face treatments, especially among patients who want a subtle smile lift without surgery.
Why It’s Done
Patients undergo DAO Botox for both aesthetic and emotional reasons:
➝ Smile enhancement → Softens a downward or sad-looking mouth.
➝ Facial harmony → Balances the lower face by preventing drooping corners.
➝ Anti-aging effect → Prevents deep marionette lines from forming.
➝ Confidence boost → Provides a more approachable, friendlier appearance.
➝ Preventative treatment → Popular in Korea for patients in their late 20s–30s to stop the early development of mouth corner drooping.
➝ Non-surgical correction → Avoids invasive lifts or fillers when the issue is muscular.
Alternatives
Although DAO Botox is highly effective, alternatives or complementary treatments may also be considered:
- Dermal fillers (marionette line fillers) → Add support to drooping corners and smooth lines.
- Thread lifts (corner of the mouth threads) → Provide mechanical lift to sagging tissue.
- Skin Botox (Micro-Botox) → Improves fine lines around the lips but doesn’t correct muscle pull.
- Laser resurfacing or RF microneedling → Tighten skin texture around the mouth.
- Surgical lip lift → Permanent correction for severe drooping, but more invasive.
In Korean clinics, DAO Botox is often combined with fillers, skin boosters, or thread lifts for complete perioral rejuvenation.
Preparation
Proper preparation ensures safety and natural outcomes:
➝ Consultation → Doctor evaluates mouth corner drooping, marionette line depth, and muscle activity.
➝ Medical history → Patients disclose allergies, medications, or prior Botox use.
➝ Avoid blood thinners → Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, or supplements 5–7 days before (with medical advice).
➝ No alcohol or smoking → At least 24–48 hours before treatment.
➝ Clean skin → Arrive without makeup or skincare products on the mouth area.
➝ Numbing (optional) → Topical anesthetic cream may be applied, though injections are quick and well tolerated.
How It’s Done
A DAO Botox session usually takes 5–10 minutes:
- Cleansing & sterilization → The lower face is disinfected.
- Marking injection points → Typically 1–2 injection sites on each side of the mouth.
- Injection process →
- Fine needles deliver Botox directly into the DAO muscle.
- Care is taken to avoid neighboring muscles to preserve natural smile dynamics.
- Post-treatment care → Cooling pads may be applied to minimize redness or swelling.
Treatment plan:
- Results start to appear in 3–5 days.
- Full effect visible in 10–14 days.
- Duration: 3–4 months, sometimes up to 5 months.
- Maintenance: 2–3 sessions per year.
Recovery
DAO Botox requires minimal recovery and no downtime:
- Immediately after → Mild redness or bumps at injection sites, resolve within an hour.
- Day 1–2 → Slight soreness or tightness at the mouth corners possible.
- Week 1 → Mouth corners begin to look more relaxed and lifted.
- Week 2 → Full results visible with a naturally softened, friendlier expression.
- Month 3–4 → Effect gradually fades, requiring repeat treatments.
Aftercare tips:
➝ Stay upright for 4 hours post-treatment.
➝ Avoid massaging or pressing the mouth corners.
➝ Skip alcohol, smoking, and strenuous activity for 24–48 hours.
➝ Maintain good hydration and gentle skincare around the mouth.
➝ Practice normal smiling and speaking — movement helps Botox settle naturally.
Complications
DAO Botox is safe when performed by skilled injectors, but possible side effects include:
➝ Bruising or swelling → Common but temporary.
➝ Mild soreness → Lasts 1–2 days.
➝ Asymmetry → Rare, corrected with touch-up injections.
➝ Smile imbalance (rare) → If Botox spreads into nearby muscles, it can temporarily affect expressions.
➝ Over-relaxation → Can make the mouth corners too stiff if overdosed.
Korean dermatologists avoid these issues by using micro-dosing, precise injection mapping, and natural-looking techniques.
Treatment Options in Korea
In Korea, DAO Botox is a standard lower-face rejuvenation treatment, widely available in aesthetic and dermatology clinics. Patients can choose from:
- Preventive DAO Botox in their 20s–30s to delay the onset of drooping corners.
- Corrective Botox for patients in their 30s–50s with visible marionette lines or sad mouth corners.
- DAO Botox combined with marionette line fillers for both muscle relaxation and structural support.
- DAO Botox paired with thread lifts for enhanced lifting at the mouth corners.
- Comprehensive perioral rejuvenation programs that include Botox with skin boosters, lip contouring, or laser resurfacing.
Final Thoughts
DAO Botox in Korea is a subtle yet powerful way to rejuvenate the lower face and restore a naturally pleasant expression. By targeting the depressor anguli oris muscles, it prevents the mouth corners from pulling downward, creating a friendlier, softer, and more youthful appearance.
Korean clinics are highly skilled at performing DAO Botox with precision and balance, often combining it with fillers, threads, or skin treatments for complete harmony. For patients who want to eliminate a sad or tired look without surgery, DAO Botox in Korea is one of the most advanced, reliable, and natural-looking solutions worldwide.
