How Muscle Tightening Contributes to Facial Aging and the Preventative Role of Neurotoxins

Dr. K
Feb 18
3 min read

Facial aging is often seen as a natural process marked by wrinkles, sagging skin, and volume loss. Yet, new scientific evidence reveals that muscle tightening in the lower face plays a significant role in this process. Muscles such as the depressor anguli oris (DAO), mentalis, and platysma can pull downward on the skin, leading to the formation of jowls and an aged appearance. Understanding this mechanism opens the door to preventative treatments using neurotoxins like Botox, which can relax these muscles and slow visible aging.

Close-up view of lower face muscles highlighting areas prone to tightening — Lower face muscles showing DAO, mentalis, and platysma muscles involved in facial aging

How Muscle Tightening Affects Facial Appearance

The lower face muscles have a natural function in facial expression and movement. Over time, repetitive contractions and increased muscle tone can cause these muscles to pull the skin downward. This downward pull contributes to:

Jowl formation: The DAO muscle pulls the corners of the mouth downward, creating sagging along the jawline.
Chin dimpling and puckering: The mentalis muscle tightens the chin skin, causing wrinkles and a creased appearance.
Neck bands and sagging: The platysma muscle, which extends from the jaw to the collarbone, can form vertical bands and drag the lower face skin down.

These changes combine with natural skin aging factors such as collagen loss and gravity, accelerating the visible signs of aging.

Why Muscle Tightening Is Often Overlooked

Traditional anti-aging treatments focus on skin quality and volume restoration through creams, fillers, and surgical lifts. Muscle tightening is less obvious but equally important. The muscles act like a framework beneath the skin, and when they contract excessively, they create tension that pulls the skin out of place.

Ignoring muscle activity means missing a key factor in facial aging. For example, even with good skin care and fillers, persistent muscle pull can cause jowls to deepen or chin wrinkles to worsen.

How Neurotoxins Help Prevent and Treat Muscle-Related Aging

Neurotoxins such as Botox work by blocking nerve signals to muscles, causing temporary relaxation. When applied to the DAO, mentalis, and platysma muscles, neurotoxins reduce their downward pull on the skin in a treatment called the Nefertiti Lift. This leads to:

Smoother jawline: Relaxing the DAO muscle softens jowl appearance.
Reduced chin wrinkles: Calming the mentalis muscle decreases dimpling.
Less visible neck bands: Soften platysma contractions to improve neck contour.

By targeting these muscles early, neurotoxin treatments can prevent or delay the progression of facial sagging and wrinkles.

Practical Examples of Neurotoxin Use in Lower Face Aging

A 45-year-old patient with early jowl formation received Botox injections in the DAO muscles. After treatment, the jawline appeared firmer and more lifted, with less downward pull.
Another patient with chin puckering and dimpling underwent mentalis muscle chemodenervation. The chin skin smoothed out, improving overall lower face harmony.
For patients with visible neck bands, platysma injections helped relax the muscle, reducing band prominence and softening the jawline transition.

These examples show how neurotoxins can be tailored to individual muscle concerns, offering a non-surgical option to maintain a youthful lower face.

What to Expect from Neurotoxin Treatments

Neurotoxin injections are minimally invasive and typically take 10 to 20 minutes. Effects begin within a few days and last about 3 to 4 months. Regular treatments can maintain muscle relaxation and prevent worsening of muscle-related aging signs.

Side effects are generally mild and temporary, including slight bruising or soreness at injection sites. It is important to have treatments performed by experienced practitioners who understand facial anatomy to avoid unwanted muscle weakness.