Home›Blog›Face›Botox Nose Tip Lift, for a Tip That Drops When You Smile
Written by Dr Gerard Ee, MBBS (UK), MRCS (Edinburgh), PGDip Practical Dermatology (Cardiff). Founder and Medical Director, The Clifford Clinic and The Clifford Surgery, Singapore. Last medically reviewed and updated September 2026.
Key points
- Some noses look balanced at rest, but the tip drops and the nose lengthens on smiling.
- The cause is a small muscle, the depressor septi nasi, which pulls the tip downwards during a smile.
- A very small dose of Botox relaxes this muscle, so the tip no longer drops.
- The effect lasts about three to four months.
- A Botox nose tip lift can be combined with nose tip filler when the tip also requires support at rest.
Why the nose tip drops when smiling
The depressor septi nasi is a small muscle that runs from the upper lip into the base of the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils. When it contracts during a smile, it pulls the tip of the nose downwards. In some people the muscle is strong enough for the tip to drop visibly, the nose to appear longer and the upper lip to shorten. Anatomical studies have mapped this muscle to guide precise Botox injection.
How Botox lifts the nose tip
A very small dose of botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected at the base of the columella, where the muscle inserts. The toxin blocks the nerve signal that makes the muscle contract, and the muscle relaxes over one to two weeks. The tip then no longer drops on smiling, and the nose appears shorter and more lifted in motion. The treatment takes a few minutes and requires no downtime.
Botox nose tip lift combined with filler
Botox changes the nose in motion, whereas filler changes it at rest. A tip that sits low at rest and drops further on smiling may require both. In a series of 95 patients treated with filler for a drooping tip, Botox was added for the depressor septi nasi in 45% of cases, with high satisfaction scores and no significant side effects. The choice of filler for the tip is described on best filler for the nose.
How long a Botox nose tip lift lasts
The effect lasts about three to four months, as with Botox elsewhere in the face, because the nerve endings gradually form new connections to the muscle. The treatment is repeated when the tip begins to drop again on smiling.
Side effects of a Botox nose tip lift
Mild tenderness and a small bruise at the injection point are the usual side effects. The muscle sits close to the upper lip, and too large a dose can therefore alter the smile or the movement of the upper lip for a few weeks. The dose is kept very small to prevent this.
Who a Botox nose tip lift suits
- Suits. A tip that drops and a nose that lengthens only on smiling.
- Suits. A tip that droops slightly at rest, when combined with filler.
- Does not suit. A long nose at rest or a tip with weak cartilage support, which require filler or surgery.
Botox nose tip lift cost in Singapore
The price of a Botox nose tip lift is quoted at the consultation, as the dose depends on the strength of the muscle. Botox for other areas is described on Botox in Singapore.
Dr Gerard Ee, Aesthetic Doctor in Singapore
Dr Gerard Ee is an aesthetic doctor in Singapore and the Medical Director of his practice at 50 Raffles Place. He graduated from St George’s, University of London, trained in surgery at Singapore General Hospital and the National University Hospital, and holds the MRCS (Edinburgh) and a postgraduate diploma in practical dermatology from Cardiff University.
He has practised aesthetic medicine since 2012, is the author of sixteen peer-reviewed papers, and writes and medically reviews every article on this site. Read more about Dr Gerard Ee.
Book a consultation with Dr Gerard Ee
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs Botox nose tip lift and nose tip filler at his practice at 50 Raffles Place, Singapore. Consultations are by appointment. Message the clinic on WhatsApp, or call 6532 2048.
Botox nose tip lift, frequently asked questions
Can Botox lift the nose tip?
Botox can lift the nose tip when the tip drops because of the depressor septi nasi muscle, mainly on smiling.
How long does a Botox nose tip lift last?
A Botox nose tip lift lasts about three to four months.
Is it better than filler for the nose tip?
Botox and filler address different problems. Botox stops the tip dropping in motion, whereas filler supports the tip at rest.
Will Botox affect my smile?
With a very small, precisely placed dose, the smile is usually unchanged. A larger dose can weaken the upper lip for a few weeks.
Selected References
- Yi KH, Lee JH, Kim SO, et al. Botulinum neurotoxin injection for treating plunged nose and post-rhinoplasty, anatomical perspectives of depressor septi nasi, nasalis, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle. Anat Cell Biol. 2023. PMID 37496386.
- Redaelli A. Medical rhinoplasty with hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin A, a very simple and quite effective technique. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008. PMID 18789057.
- Kamrani P, Boen M, et al. A review of neuromodulators and energy-based devices for optimizing nasal appearance. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2025. PMID 38946551.
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs Botox nose tip lift and nose tip filler at 50 Raffles Place, Singapore.
This page is written from published research and clinical experience in Singapore since 2012. It is for general education, not medical advice. Suitability, results, downtime and cost vary from person to person. Please arrange a consultation for advice specific to your nose.
