Introduction
Considering Botox or dermal fillers? What are the best positions to do injection? With so much information available online, it can be hard to know what suits you. We’ve distilled the expert advice from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis into this Botox and Fillers guide. Learn the key principles she uses on her own face to achieve natural, balanced results and how you can make informed decisions for your aesthetic journey.
1. The Golden Rule: Aim for Balance, Not Perfection
The most important goal of any cosmetic procedure is facial harmony. This means enhancing your natural features so they work in balance with each other, not creating drastic changes.
Expert Insight: Dr. Ellis emphasizes that injectables should make you look like a refreshed, better version of yourself—not someone else.
Avoid injectors who promise to completely change your features. A good outcome is when you look great, but people can’t pinpoint exactly why.
2. Botox: More Than Just Wrinkle Prevention
Botox (and other neuromodulators like Dysport, Daxxify, and Jeuveau) relax muscles. While famously used for wrinkles, it’s also a powerful tool for shaping and balancing your face.
Key Areas and Uses:
Upper Face (Glabella, Forehead): Prevents frown lines and forehead wrinkles. A skilled injector can also create a subtle brow lift for a more open, alert look.
Masseters (Jaw): If jawline is strong, use small dose to slim. Over-treatment can lead to an unnaturally thin face and affect smile function.
Platysma (Neck): Injected along the jawline and neck bands to relax the muscle and improve jawline definition.
Lip Flip(Orbicularis Oris muscle): Relax the muscle above the lip to allow more of your natural lip to show when you smile.
Lift Corners of the Mouth(Depressor Anguli Oris / Depressor Labii Inferioris): Counteract muscles that pull the mouth down, creating a more pleasant resting expression.
Smooth the Chin(Mentalis): Prevent a “cobblestone” appearance when you smile.
Pro Tip: A natural look often requires a comprehensive approach (20-40 units) across multiple areas to prevent other muscles from overcompensating.
3. Dermal Fillers: Restore Volume and Structure
Fillers add volume to combat age-related hollowing and can enhance features. The two main types are:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane): Provide immediate results and are reversible.
Collagen-Stimulating Fillers (e.g., Sculptra): Work gradually by stimulating your body’s own collagen for a very natural, long-lasting result.
How to Use Fillers Wisely:
Lips: The goal is balance. Enhance your natural shape by adding volume primarily to the center, tapering outward. Less is more. Building slowly over time avoids an unnatural “sausage lip” look.
Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines: The goal is often structural support, not just filling a line. Superficial injection techniques can help prevent deep creases from forming.
Cheeks & Temples: These areas often lose volume first. Restoring volume here with products like Sculptra can provide a natural-looking lift and counteract a “skeleton” appearance.
4. How to Find a Skilled Injector: Your Most Important Step
Your results depend more on the skill and aesthetic eye of your injector than the product.
1. Seek Personal Recommendations: The best referral is from a friend or family member whose natural, balanced results you admire in person. Looking at photos may not gives you accurate feedback as many pictures can be retouched. If your friend or family gets a natural better look in person, that is a good testimonial.
2.Credentials Matter: Look for a board-certified professional (e.g., in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery). However, skill is paramount.
3.The Consultation is Key: Your injector should not be a “yes-person.” They should carefully assess your face, manage expectations, and honestly tell you what will or won’t work. You must share the same aesthetic vision.
4.Product is Less Important than Technique: The injector’s skill and aesthetic sense are far more critical than the specific brand of product used.
Conclusion: Your Path to Natural Results
Achieving great results with Botox and fillers is an art and a science. By understanding the goals of facial balance and choosing an injector with exceptional skill and a conservative approach, you can enhance your natural beauty safely and effectively. Remember, the best cosmetic work is the work that no one notices—only you.
(the article is distilled from Youtube Video Exactly Where l Get Injections and Why | Best Botox and Filler Placement | Dr. Sam Ellis)