Mouth Corner Botox at Incheon Airport Korea

Depressor Anguli Oris Anatomy and Aging

The depressor anguli oris (DAO) is a paired triangular muscle originating from the oblique line of the mandible and inserting into the modiolus at the oral commissure. With aging, DAO hyperactivity combined with volume loss in the perioral region creates a characteristic downturned mouth appearance. Hur et al. (2017) mapped the DAO insertion anatomy in 40 cadaveric specimens, identifying the optimal injection zone as the lateral mandibular region 1-1.5cm from the oral commissure, where the muscle belly is thickest and farthest from the marginal mandibular nerve. Their findings established the anatomical basis for safe, effective DAO chemodenervation. Hur MS et al. Anatomy of the depressor anguli oris muscle revisited: implications for botulinum toxin injection. Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(9):989-995. doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1828-7

Clinical Efficacy of DAO Botox for Mouth Corner Elevation

Botulinum toxin injection into the DAO has been validated as a reliable, minimally invasive method for oral commissure elevation. Levy et al. (2015) conducted a prospective study of 103 patients receiving DAO botox injections, reporting a mean oral commissure elevation of 1.8mm (range 1-3mm) at the 2-week peak, with patient satisfaction rates exceeding 92%. The study established the optimal dose range of 2-5 units per side and confirmed the procedure’s safety profile with no cases of lip incompetence when injection depth and location were properly controlled. Results lasted a mean of 16.2 weeks (4 months). Levy PM et al. Botulinum toxin injection for oral commissure lines and downturned corners of the mouth. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(4):28-33. doi:10.1111/jocd.12320

Combination Protocols: DAO Botox with Perioral Fillers

Modern perioral rejuvenation increasingly combines DAO botox with hyaluronic acid fillers for comprehensive lower face improvement. Kim et al. (2019) studied the synergistic effect of DAO botox plus marionette fold filler in 78 Korean patients, demonstrating that the combination produced 40% greater improvement on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale compared to filler alone. The DAO relaxation prevented muscle-driven recurrence of marionette folds, extending filler longevity by an average of 3 months. This combination approach is the foundation of RE:BERRY Incheon Airport’s lower face rejuvenation protocols, where mouth corner botox serves as the baseline treatment enhanced by nasolabial fold filler or chin filler for comprehensive results. Kim BJ et al. Combined use of botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid filler for the treatment of marionette lines and oral commissure drooping. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(6):1608-1614. doi:10.1111/jocd.12882

Safety in Asian Patients

DAO botox demonstrates an excellent safety profile in Asian populations. Lim et al. (2021) reviewed 520 Asian patients treated with perioral botox injections across 6 Korean clinics, reporting adverse events in only 2.1% of cases — all temporary and self-resolving (mild bruising 1.5%, transient lip asymmetry 0.6%). No cases of dysphagia, drooling, or permanent lip incompetence were reported when the injection was confined to the standard anatomical landmarks. The study confirmed that the Korean microdose technique (2-3 units per point, 3-5 points per side) is both safe and effective. Lim TS et al. Safety and efficacy of perioral botulinum toxin injections in Asian patients: a multicenter retrospective analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021;45(4):1678-1686. doi:10.1007/s00266-021-02234-8

References: Hur MS et al. Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(9):989-995 (doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1828-7) | Levy PM et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(4):28-33 (doi:10.1111/jocd.12320) | Kim BJ et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(6):1608-1614 (doi:10.1111/jocd.12882) | Lim TS et al. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021;45(4):1678-1686 (doi:10.1007/s00266-021-02234-8)