Downturned Corners · The Woodlands
DAO Treatment in
The Woodlands, TX
Lift your smile with strategic precision. Relax the tension pulling the mouth corners down for a softer, calmer, more youthful resting expression.
The Downward Pull
A small muscle with a loud message.
The Depressor Anguli Oris is a small, powerful muscle running from the chin to the corners of the mouth. When it contracts continuously, it pulls the mouth corners downward, projecting a sad or discontent expression even at rest.
Over time, that constant pull does more than tilt the lips' edges. It deepens the marionette lines that bracket the mouth, aging the entire lower face.
What It Addresses
Lifts a sad or tired resting expression
Relaxes the muscle pulling the mouth corners down
Softens the look of marionette lines
Preserves natural speech, smile, and movement
Natural Neurotoxin Artistry
Expression restored to calm, never frozen.
Strategic Relaxation
Restoring balance to the lower face.
The goal is to transform a perpetually sad or tense resting expression into a neutral, pleasant one, without compromising the function or natural movement of the mouth.
The art of dosing
Target: The Depressor Anguli Oris, near its insertion at the mouth corner
Result: Very low doses, typically one to three units per side, are placed precisely on the DAO while avoiding the nearby lower-lip muscle, preventing any asymmetry or weakness in the smile.
The mechanism of lift
Target: The tug-of-war between downward and upward pulling muscles
Result: With the downward pull softened, the upward-pulling muscles of the smile gain relative dominance. The mouth corners settle gently higher, reading as relaxed and positive at rest.
Addressing Marionette Lines
Relax first, restore second.
Relaxing the DAO stops the muscle from deepening the crease further. Where marionette lines remain visible at rest, a soft hyaluronic acid filler can be placed within the crease to restore the lost volume.
A Complete Correction
Holistic rejuvenation of the lower face.
Combining muscle relaxation with careful volume restoration addresses both the cause and the trace of downturned corners, for a result that looks natural at rest and in expression.
Your Visit
Assessed at rest and in expression.
Your consultation maps the activity of the DAO on each side, observing how the mouth corners move at rest, in a smile, and in speech. Dosing is planned to soften the downward pull only where it is needed.
The appointment itself takes only a few minutes, and results develop over one to two weeks as the muscle relaxes into its new balance.
Common Questions
DAO Treatment FAQ
01What is DAO treatment?
It is a precise, low-dose neurotoxin injection into the Depressor Anguli Oris, the muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward. Relaxing it allows the mouth corners to settle into a gentler, more neutral position.
02Why do my mouth corners turn down?
Overactivity of the DAO muscle pulls the oral commissures downward over time. This creates a sad or discontent resting expression and contributes to the formation of marionette lines bracketing the mouth.
03Will my smile or speech change?
No. Dosing is very low, typically one to three units per side, and placed precisely to avoid the neighboring muscles that control the lower lip. Natural movement, speech, and your smile remain intact.
04Can it help marionette lines?
Yes. Relaxing the DAO stops the muscle from deepening the crease further. Where lines remain visible at rest, a soft hyaluronic acid filler can be placed within the crease for a complete, natural correction.
05How long does the result last?
Like other neurotoxin treatments, results typically last three to four months. Because dosing is conservative, the effect is subtle, a calmer, more pleasant resting expression rather than a visible change in shape.
Ready When You Are
Let your resting expression read at ease.
Schedule your visit, or call or text us at 936-776-6926 to talk it through first.