The Art of Botox

Inside Boulder’s most elevated approach to natural aesthetics

Story Lexi Marshall

In Boulder, beauty culture has always moved a little differently. It’s less about transformation and more about refinement. Less about spectacle and more about subtlety. That ethos has quietly shaped the region’s luxury aesthetic scene, where today’s most sought-after Botox results are not frozen or obvious, but soft, balanced, and nearly invisible.

“Botox truly has been a game changer in aesthetic medicine, and there is no question that there is an art to injecting for youthful, natural results,” says Pauli Morrow, MMSc, PA-C, lead practitioner at Evolution Dermatology in Boulder.

At the highest level, Botox is approached as a medical-artistic discipline—one that blends deep anatomical training, advanced technique, and an individualized aesthetic eye. Boulder’s top providers emphasize that what separates exceptional results from artificial ones isn’t the product. It’s the precision behind it.

Where Medicine Meets Mastery

At Rinnova Skin and Body, dermatologic surgeon Todd Becker, M.D., Ph.D., points to education as the backbone of artistry. He explains that while all providers come with foundational training from their formal degrees, he works closely with injectors on core techniques and ongoing education through regular meetings and hands-on sessions. “Knowledge of anatomy is absolutely critical to achieving outstanding results,” he says.

That depth of training reflects how Botox has evolved. What was once a standardized set of injection points has become an intricate practice rooted in muscle behavior and facial dynamics. “By gently relaxing the right combination of movements, we can subtly smooth, relax, and even lift the delicate skin of the face,” Becker explains.

At Evolution Dermatology, that same rigor defines who is allowed to inject. “Anyone performing injectable treatments holds an advanced medical license and completes extensive, product-specific training,” Morrow says. “We also prioritize ongoing education, attending national aesthetic conferences, and hosting in-office trainings throughout the year to stay current with evolving techniques, safety standards, and artistic approaches.”

In Boulder’s luxury aesthetic practices, the consultation is not a formality—it is the foundation.

“Every consultation begins with listening,” Morrow says. “I sit down, hand the patient a mirror, and ask what their concerns are and what areas they would like to improve. As they are talking, I am assessing their muscle movement, skin quality, and how their face functions dynamically as they express.” She uses those observations to develop a customized cosmetic treatment plan tailored to their goals.

Becker shares the same philosophy. “Consultation is critical to understand a patient’s desires,” he says. “We understand that most patients would like to look relaxed, refreshed, and youthful, not artificial or unnatural. This allows us to target specific concerns without over-treating.”

This collaborative, face-by-face approach allows providers to design treatments that enhance what already exists, rather than imposing a trend. The actual procedure for Botox, or another neuromodulator like Dysport, takes 10 to 15 minutes with minimal discomfort and no downtime, aside from a possible small bruise. It takes three to seven days to see the full impact and will last three to four months.

Professionals agree that natural results require more skill. “Unnatural results can occur for a number of reasons,” Becker explains. “Most commonly it involves trying to treat wrinkles that we see rather than considering the underlying movements that are causing wrinkles. One can get a frozen look or heaviness from over-treatment.”

He says eyebrow position, in particular, depends on the careful coordination of muscles that both lift and lower the brow, and when these are treated thoughtfully, the result is a more natural-looking shape and graceful movement.

Morrow has seen the consequences of over-treatment firsthand. “Over the years, I have seen some interesting Botox (and other brands of neuromodulator) results,” she says. “Everything from uneven and heavy feeling eyebrows, drooping eyelids, and spiked or ‘Spock’ brows.”

She emphasizes a common issue is treating everyone’s face the same. “Faces are dynamic, and ignoring individual anatomy or skin laxity can lead to a heavy feel, imbalance, or a changed expression,” Morrow says.

Her solution centers on restraint and mapping. “I take the placement of Botox seriously and, believe it or not, in patient charts I draw facial maps of where I am placing product, make very specific notes, and when injecting Botox, may even place removable ink dots on a patient’s skin to make sure injections are precise,” she says.

The technical evolution of neuromodulators has expanded what’s possible and has turned the practice into a modern art form.

“Botox has evolved from a very cookbook process to a much more artistic approach,” Becker says. “Most practitioners used to follow ‘standard’ injection patterns to treat wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Using newer techniques, we can achieve more natural results by targeting movement more precisely.” He notes that as many new products have come on the market, the possibilities have multiplied: “This includes products with longer and even shorter durations of action as well has different properties of spread within the tissue.”

Morrow points to a cultural shift, too. “In general, aesthetic goals have shifted toward subtlety and authenticity, especially in Colorado,” she says, adding that to achieve this involves lower doses, more precise placement, and an overall focus on facial harmony rather than erasing every line and wrinkle.

In Boulder’s top aesthetic practices, Botox is no longer about stopping expression. It’s about understanding it—then softening, balancing, and elevating it with the kind of precision that only experience, anatomy, and artistry can deliver.

“My philosophy is that a great Botox treatment should not be noticed as Botox, but only that you appear more rested, natural, and like the best version of yourself,” Morrow says.

Learn more at evolutiondermatology.com and rinnovaskinandbody.com.

4 Tips for Choosing a Provider

1. Advanced Medical Credentials
Look for providers with advanced medical licensure and years of focused aesthetic experience. At Boulder’s top clinics, injectors often train for years before independently treating patients, with ongoing education built into their careers.

2. A Consultation-First Approach
A high-level Botox experience always begins with listening. Your provider should study how your face moves, assess asymmetry, discuss your concerns, and collaborate with you on goals. If the consultation feels rushed, the treatment likely will be, too.

3. Subtlety as a Philosophy
Boulder’s luxury aesthetic leans toward refinement, not reinvention. Look for providers who speak openly about balance, restraint, and facial harmony—and whose portfolios show patients who still look unmistakably like themselves.

4. Transparency and Follow-Up Care
Expect clear explanations, written treatment plans, realistic expectations, and follow-up check-ins. Precision doesn’t end when the needle leaves the skin.