What is jelly roll Botox?

Jelly roll Botox is a treatment that targets the orbicularis oculi muscle under the eyes to reduce the bulging or "roll" that appears when smiling or squinting. We love jelly roll Botox but consider this a “splitter”: some people love it and some people hate it. This bulge is due to muscle contraction rather than fat, and Botox helps relax the muscle for a smoother, more refreshed look. However since it can diminish the effect of smiling with your eyes, some people don’t like it. 

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What area under the eyes does the Botox injection target exactly?

The injection is placed just beneath the lower lash line, targeting the lower portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle.  We usually place 1 unit a few millimeters below the lower lash line just lateral to the mid pupillary line. This softens muscle contraction, reducing under-eye wrinkles, fine lines, and creasing when smiling. The eyes can appear brighter, more open, and less tired without looking unnatural. The key is picking the right candidate who wants a more open eye when smiling with less wrinkles and bulging of skin under the eye when smiling. It is not a treatment for fat herniation. 

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Who is a good candidate for jelly roll Botox?

Good candidates are those who notice a prominent under-eye bulge when smiling and want a subtle smoothing effect without fillers or surgery. Those with under-eye hollowness, true fat pads, or existing lower eyelid laxity should avoid it, as relaxing the muscle too much can cause the under-eye to appear looser. We also generally warn our patients that about 5% of patients will dislike the effect due to the “dead-eye smile” but the good news is that if they don’t like it, the effect wears off after about 6 weeks and you don’t ever have to do it again! 

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Are there any dangers involved in injecting in this sensitive area close to the eye?

The under-eye area is delicate, and incorrect placement or dosing can cause temporary eyelid drooping, the dead eye smile, or difficulty blinking. We use Jelly Roll Botox selectively based on the patient’s anatomy and after discussion of the the risks. If muscle contraction is the primary cause of puffiness, a small dose can be effective, but if the issue is fat pads or hollowness, other treatments like fillers, lasers, or RF microneedling are better options. 

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This is an “off-label” usage of Botox, so make sure you’re being treated by an advanced practitioner. 

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Can jelly roll Botox treat under-eye bags, hollowness, or dark circles?

Jelly Roll Botox won’t fix true under-eye bags, hollowness, or dark circles. If the issue is fat pads, Botox won’t help. If it’s hollowness, tear trough filler or PRF is a better solution. For dark circles or thin skin, treatments like SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair, Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment, lasers, or exosome therapy can improve collagen and pigmentation. Jelly roll Botox only helps the subset of patients that get that thin roll of skin immediately under the lash line upon smiling. 

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How long does jelly roll Botox last?

Results last 6 weeks, which is slightly shorter than Botox in other areas due to the thinness of the muscle and the very low number of units delivered. The dose is the duration so you can increase the duration by increasing the dose but it will also increase the intensity of the effect. Most patients return every few months when it’s time to do the rest of their Botox. 

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If you consistently go for jelly roll Botox injections, are the effects cumulative over time?

While Botox doesn’t permanently change the muscle, consistent treatments can weaken overactive muscle movement over time, making results last longer even as the Botox wears off.

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For more information on jelly roll Botox, feel free to read this study.

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For personalized recommendations, schedule a consultation at SOM Aesthetics to learn how jelly roll Botox can improve your facial features.

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