Botox

Botox here is practiced with restraint and a deep understanding of facial anatomy.

EXPRESSION CONNECTS US ALL.

It is carefully preserved throughout treatment. What changes is the tension and the negative expressions: the furrow, the pull, the lines that form at rest. What remains is movement, warmth, and a face that reads as naturally rested.

WHAT THAT REQUIRES IS PRECISION.

Every muscle assessed individually: how it contributes to movement, where it creates tension, what happens when it is modulated. Every face holds tension differently, responds differently, needs something different. The goal is to quiet the muscles that pull the face downward and activate the ones that lift.

Treatment builds over time. How your muscles respond, how long results last, how much each area needs — these become known through consistency. Each appointment builds on the last.

“Expression connects us all.
What we quiet is the tension.
What we restore is you.”

Treatment Areas

Botox addresses both aesthetic concerns and functional ones. Often the same treatment serves both.

FUNCTIONAL
Jaw clenching and grinding  ·  TMJ headaches  ·  Trapezius and neck tension  ·  Trigger points 

UPPER FACE
Forehead lines  ·  Frown lines  ·  Crow’s feet  ·  Brow lift and shaping  ·  Bunny lines

MID FACE
Gummy smile  ·  Nose tip  ·  Under eye  ·  Skin quality (Microtox)

LOWER FACE
Lip flip  ·  Mouth corners  ·  Lip lines  ·  Chin  ·  Jawline definition

NECK
Nefertiti lift  ·  Neck bands  ·  Neck and jawline contouring

Additional areas treated in consultation.

Botox addresses muscle imbalance in both directions, calming overactive muscles and reducing the compensation that occurs when other muscles work harder to make up for weakness. Applications extend to muscle spasms, chronic twitching, and the facial asymmetry that develops in stroke recovery and facial palsy. The path to a result that looks and feels better is often more nuanced than people expect.

Masseter and TMJ

Most patients come for pain. The jaw that aches in the morning, the headaches that start at the temples, the awareness of clenching that never quite goes away. Botox relaxes the masseter muscle, relieving the tension that drives these symptoms.

The slimming effect is real and often dramatic. Patients who came for pain find themselves maintaining treatment long after the pain resolves because they love how their face looks. That is a legitimate reason to continue.

The deeper goal is always resolution. Chronic jaw tension is often driven by sleep-disordered breathing or structural imbalance. Treating the muscle relieves the symptom. Addressing the root cause is what breaks the cycle. The aim is to get you out of pain, understand what is driving it, and treat accordingly. Dependency on treatment every three months indefinitely is the last thing we want.

For patients whose jaw pain is rooted in airway or structural concerns, we work alongside our airway and structural services to address the cause directly.

LEARN MORE ON OUR TMJ & FACIAL PAIN PAGE →

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Results typically last three to four months, though this varies by individual, area treated, and dose. Over time, with consistent treatment, some patients find their results lasting longer as the muscles learn to hold less tension.

  • Most patients find it far more manageable than expected. The needles used are very fine and the injections are quick. Dr. Mak is known for her gentle technique and attention to patient comfort throughout.

  • Treatment is priced based on the areas treated and the units required. Every patient is different. Budget is always part of the consultation conversation and treatment is planned accordingly.

  • Botox relaxes muscles to soften lines and improve expression. Filler adds volume or structure to specific areas. They address different concerns and are often used together, but they are not interchangeable. During your consultation we will discuss which approach, or combination, is right for you.

  • Yes. Masseter treatment is one of the most effective applications of Botox for functional concerns. It relaxes the jaw muscle, relieves tension and grinding, and often resolves the headaches and facial pain associated with TMJ dysfunction. The aesthetic slimming effect is a bonus most patients come to appreciate.

  • Results begin to appear within three to five days and continue to develop over two weeks. A follow-up appointment is scheduled at two weeks to assess the result and make any refinements.

  • Every new patient begins with a consultation. It is a conversation about your goals, your anatomy, and your budget. Treatment is never rushed. Some areas of the face require more consideration than others given the underlying anatomy, and that will always be discussed honestly. The goal is a result that serves you.

  • Most appointments take between 30 and 60 minutes. A follow-up is included at two weeks to assess results and make any refinements.

  • Yes. Botox to the trapezius muscle is an effective treatment for chronic neck and shoulder tension and pain. It relaxes the muscle, relieves the tension, and for some patients makes a meaningful difference in how they carry themselves.

  • Yes. Botox addresses muscle imbalance in both directions: calming overactive muscles that twitch or spasm, and reducing the compensation that occurs when other muscles work harder to make up for weakness. A consultation is the right place to discuss whether this applies to your specific situation.

  • Serving patients from across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and beyond.

    This is one of the most common reasons patients seek a second opinion. A thorough assessment of what happened, what you wanted, and what your anatomy allows for is the starting point. Results that look overdone, uneven, or simply off are often correctable over time with a more considered approach.

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