10 Benefits of Botox: and 4 Mistakes That Could Age Your Face

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

Botox can do a lot more than just smooth a few lines — it can shape, lift, and refresh your face in subtle ways. But it’s not magic. 

In this guide, I’ll show you 10 real benefits Botox can offer (especially for aging skin) — plus 4 common mistakes that could actually make you look older.

10 Benefits of Botox: and 4 mistakes that could age your face.

You’ll also get insights from cosmetic medicine expert Dr. Sarah Hart and practical tips based on my own experience with injectables.

How Botox works to smooth facial wrinkles

Botox is best known for its wrinkle-smoothing powers. It works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that repeatedly contract—like when you frown or squint. These movements are what eventually etch fine lines and deeper wrinkles into your skin.

When done correctly, it helps soften expression lines and prevent them from deepening—especially across the forehead, around the eyes, and between the brows.

But here's the catch: Too much, or poor placement, can backfire. It might make your face look stiff, tired, or even older. The trick is getting the right dose in the right spot for your face.

Today there are several forms of purified botulinum toxins with different strengths. These differences are useful in our practice since all muscles have slight variations.”
— Dr. Patricia Wexler, Dermatologist

Botox pros and cons: What’s worth it (and what’s not)

The upside: Smoother skin, fewer lines.

Botox relaxes the muscles that cause expression wrinkles. When used wisely, it softens lines and may even help prevent deeper ones from forming over time.

The downside: Too much can backfire.

Overdoing it can weaken facial muscles, throw off balance, or create a stiff, unnatural look. In some cases, it may cause drooping or make other areas wrinkle more.

10 Benefits of Botox for facial aging

1. Smooths forehead wrinkles

Botox relaxes the frontalis muscle to soften those horizontal lines across your forehead. It also slows the deepening of creases over time — especially helpful if you raise your brows a lot without realizing it.

2. Softens crow’s feet

Tiny injections around the outer corners of the eyes can reduce fine crinkles from squinting or smiling. It keeps the eye area looking smooth and bright — without freezing your expression.

I used to get this done, but after consistently doing eye massage and facial exercises, I found I didn’t need it anymore. It’s one of the areas where natural methods really made a difference for me

3. Relaxes frown lines (the “11s”)

A little Botox between the brows can soften that tired or tense look. It works by relaxing the muscles that pull inward — so your face looks more open and at ease.

I honestly love this one. After using it consistently, I only need a touch-up once or twice a year now — just enough to keep that relaxed, lifted look without overdoing it.

4. Softens under-eye “jelly roll” puffiness

If you get a little puffy roll under your eyes when you smile, that’s called a jelly roll — and Botox can help smooth it. A tiny drop just below the lower lash line can relax the muscle that bunches up, making the area look less swollen.

The trick is going to someone who knows how to treat this delicate area safely. Here’s how Botox works for eye bags and puffiness. Plus, you can also explore non-injection options on my puffy eye serum review, including popular serums and tightening products like Plexaderm & Peter Thomas Roth.

5. Minimizes Lip Wrinkles

A touch of Botox around the mouth can soften vertical lip lines—sometimes called smoker’s lines—even if you’ve never smoked. Some may need lip fillers too for best results.

6. Gently Lifts the Corners of the Mouth

A few units of Botox here can turn that subtle frown into a softer, more relaxed smile. It’s a tiny tweak that makes you look less grumpy — even when you’re just thinking!

7. Improves Skin Tone and Firmness

Some studies show suggest Botox may support skin elasticity by reducing repetitive movement and allowing the skin to remodel. It’s not a replacement for skincare, but can help give your face a smoother, firmer look over time.

8. Creates a Fuller Look with a Lip Flip

A few small injections just above the lip help the top lip curl upward slightly. It doesn’t add volume like filler, but it gives the illusion of a fuller shape — perfect if your upper lip tends to disappear when you smile.

(Want to see what this looks like? Check out my lip flip before and after photos or explore the full Botox for lips section.)

9. Softens Neck Bands

Botox can relax the platysmal bands in the neck — those vertical cords that get more noticeable with age. Smoothing this area may also reduce downward pull on the jawline, helping support a more defined contour.

10. Combines Well with Other Treatments

Botox pairs beautifully with fillers, microneedling, laser, and chemical peels. If you’re after full-face rejuvenation, layering treatments (with a good provider) can help everything work better together. See how Botox works with other anti-aging treatments below.

Heads up: A few of the uses above—like lip flips or neck bands—are considered off-label. They’re not FDA-approved for those areas, but experienced injectors use them safely all the time. The key is finding someone who really understands your face.

What Not to Do with Botox

4 Mistakes That Could Age You

Even though Botox can smooth and refresh your look, using it the wrong way can actually have the opposite effect. Here are four mistakes to avoid—and smart tips to prevent them.

1. Heavy or droopy brows
Too much toxin to smooth forehead wrinkles can lead to brow droop, especially if you already have naturally low brows or weak frontalis muscles. This can leave your face looking tired or unbalanced.

What to do: Ask your provider about using a lower dose or adjusting injection points. Micro Botox (tiny, shallow injections) may reduce the risk of brow heaviness while still smoothing lines.

One study published in the Annals of Dermatology even found that this technique helped reduce wrinkle depth and the risk of drooping brows.

2. More under-eye wrinkles
Over-treating crow’s feet and cross-hatched lines can sometimes cause the muscles under the eye to compensate—leading to extra lines or puffiness below.

What to do: Go for a lighter touch or try Baby Botox, which relaxes the area just enough without freezing your natural expressions.

3. Hollow cheeks or strange smile

Treating lower crow’s feet can be tricky. If too much is injected near the outer eye or cheek, it can cause hollowing or affect how your cheek muscles move when you smile. Full, rounded cheeks are often seen as a hallmark of youth and timeless beauty.

Side-by-side photo showing hollow cheeks and unnatural smile lines caused by Botox injected too close to the outer eyes and cheeksPhoto Courtesy of Dr. Sarah Hart. 10 Benefits of Botox

What to do: Consider a combination of Botox and filler for this area. Cosmetic medical expert Dr. Sarah Hart often uses Micro Botox to soften crow’s feet lines, paired with filler to add volume to the temples and lateral upper cheek area. This two-pronged approach rejuvenates the face and provides more natural-looking results.

4. Wrinkles showing up in new places
Freezing one area too much can make other muscles overcompensate. That means new lines might show up elsewhere—or your face might start looking stiff or unnatural.

What to do: Instead of trying to erase every wrinkle, focus on softening key areas that bother you most. A little movement (and a few lines) can keep your face looking expressive and youthful.

Note: Results vary based on individual factors, provider expertise, and treatment protocols. Consult a licensed professional.

Tips for lips, eyes, and treatment timing

Lip and Facial Questions

Timing & Longevity

Combining With Other Treatments

Got questions? These quick answers cover the most common Botox concerns.

10 Benefits of Botox: FAQs

Have questions about the uses or benefits of Botox? Send them here, and we'll try to answer as soon as possible.

Q: How long to avoid sauna after Botox?

A: Heat can increase blood flow to the injected areas and might affect the way the Botox settles.

To be on the safe side, it's generally a good idea to avoid saunas, hot tubs, exercises, and anything that involves prolonged exposure to high heat for at least 48 hours after getting Botox injections. 

Q: Can you get Botox while on antibiotics

A: Antibiotics such as gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, and neomycin might potentially enhance the effects of the toxin. This could mean an increased risk of muscle weakness or other exaggerated responses to the treatment.

It's really important to communicate with your healthcare provider about any medications you're taking, including antibiotics, before getting Botox injections.

Q: Can I drink after Botox injections? 

A: You might wish to refrain from drinking alcohol for at least 24-48 hours before and after hours after Botox or any cosmetic injections. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, which could cause increased bruising at the injection site. Check with your doctor for more details.

Q: Can Botox reverse aging?

A: No. While the benefits of Botox can help temporally soften or erase current signs of face aging, it won't reverse it permanently. Your skin and facial muscles will still continue to age. And if you stop getting Botox injections, your skin will revert to its normal state. Eventually skin aging will catch up, however, wrinkles and lines may not be as deep.

Q: What are the 3 areas for Botox in the face?

A: The 3 popular areas Botox benefits face aging the most are forehead wrinkles, crow's feet wrinkles and frown lines (the vertical '11' between the eyebrows).

Q: Does Botox give you good skin?

A: It looks like a temporary benefit of Botox includes firmer skin, according to a report published by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. Researchers found that Botox injections increased skin elasticity and pliability. But, once the Botox action wore off (in a few months), the skin returned to its original condition.

Question: Is there a way to reverse or get rid of Botox faster if you don’t like the results?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. Botox typically takes 3–6 months to wear off, and there’s no proven method to make it fade faster once it’s been injected.

What can you do? Stay hydrated, avoid massaging or stressing the area, and let your body metabolize it naturally. Make a note of what didn’t work, and next time, be sure to choose a qualified injector who understands your face and uses a lighter, more personalized touch.

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About the Author:
Linda Robison is a Facial Fitness Specialist and the founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone. She shares expert insights on skincare, facial rejuvenation, and beauty treatments—blending traditional wisdom, personal experience, and science-backed research for both at-home and in-office solutions.

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