Let your mouth corners shine again with a treatment for downturned mouth corners. With targeted botulinum toxin injections, your mouth is subtly lifted for a friendlier and fresher appearance.
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Downturned mouth corners can create a gloomy or tired appearance, even when you feel energetic and happy. A treatment for downturned mouth corners corrects this problem by relaxing the mouth muscles. A combination with marionette line fillers is often recommended for an optimal result.
During the treatment, a specialist places small amounts of muscle relaxant or fillers at strategic points around the mouth. This reduces the downward pull of the mouth corners and gives a natural lifting effect. The treatment is fast, virtually painless, and requires no surgery.
The result is a fresher, friendlier facial expression without your mouth moving unnaturally. This treatment is often combined with lip or cheek treatments for a harmonious facial appearance. The procedure is suitable for both men and women who want to look subtly younger.
In a treatment for downturned mouth corners, the specialist applies small amounts of botulinum toxin or fillers to the muscles around the mouth that pull the corners downward. Botulinum toxin relaxes these muscles, while fillers subtly support and lift the mouth area. The session usually lasts 15-30 minutes and is virtually painless. Beforehand, the specialist discusses your wishes and creates a plan for the most natural result.
This treatment is suitable for adults who:
We never treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding. People with certain muscle or nerve disorders are advised to seek medical advice first.
Usually none to minimal recovery time; slight redness, swelling, or bruises may be visible for a few days but are easy to camouflage.
The effect of muscle relaxants on downturned mouth corners usually starts within a few hours to 3 days and lasts an average of 3-4 months. With fillers, the result can often remain visible for 6-12 months, depending on the product and individual skin condition. Regular treatments ensure a longer-lasting effect.
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Downturned mouth corners result from several interacting factors. The depressor anguli oris (DAO) actively pulls the corner down. As we age, the skin loses firmness, the subcutaneous tissue slackens, and this muscle tends to become more dominant. Meanwhile, the upward pull from the levator muscles weakens, reducing counterpressure. The outcome is a gloomy, tired expression, even when you're full of energy.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) allows us to selectively relax the overactive DAO. This releases the inhibition on the upward forces, letting the mouth corner lift subtly and refreshing your expression. Because we place the injection with extreme precision, your expression stays natural. We deliberately avoid other lip muscles, so smiling and speaking remain unchanged. The technique fits into a refined rejuvenation that never looks overdone.
When treating downturned mouth corners, we often opt for botulinum toxin, but in some cases a filler or combination works better. Botox relaxes the pulling muscle, lifting the mouth corner. The effect is subtle and appears within a few hours to 3 days. Fillers replenish lost volume and support the skin from within, also softening marionette lines, the folds from the mouth corner towards the jawline.
Dr. Thierry De Smedt begins with an assessment of your facial structure, skin quality, and expression. If the droop stems from muscle overactivity, botulinum toxin is the first choice. When volume loss or deep folds are the primary cause, a hyaluronic acid filler becomes the better option. Frequently, we combine the two: Botox for dynamic correction and filler for static support. This combination yields a harmonious, long-lasting natural result.
A botulinum toxin treatment for downturned mouth corners takes 15 to 30 minutes. After thoroughly discussing your wishes and medically analyzing your face, we inject a small amount of product into the DAO muscle with a fine needle. The sensation is minimal, usually just a light tingling, and anesthesia is rarely necessary.
Right after the session, you can resume your daily activities. However, avoid heavy exertion for the first 3 to 4 hours and intense heat such as a bath, sauna or jacuzzi on the day itself. Preferably avoid tanning beds altogether. Also do not massage, rub or press on the area. Results typically appear within a few hours to 3 days, with further improvement over the following weeks. The effect usually lasts 3 to 4 months, depending on muscle strength and metabolism.
Practical information
Downturned mouth corners are often linked to the depressor anguli oris, but the mentalis muscle in the chin also plays an under-appreciated role. A tight chin muscle pulls the chin upward and inward, making the mouth corners seem to sag even more. When hyperactive, this muscle creates an 'orange peel' dimple on the chin, amplifying the drooping effect.
Injecting botulinum toxin precisely into the chin relaxes the mentalis, eliminating that downward pull. The mouth area appears softer and the lift of the corners is reinforced. This technique suits clients with strong chin muscle activity, offering a subtle, layered correction. Dr. Thierry De Smedt often combines it with a few units in the DAO for a natural, symmetrical outcome.
An increasing number of people in their thirties are opting for preventive treatments around the mouth corners and chin, before deep wrinkles appear. By reducing muscle activity early, you prevent the skin from creasing and the connective tissue from suffering irreversible damage. Your expression remains intact, the dosage stays low and is finely adjusted to your facial dynamics at each visit.
At Dr. Thierry De Smedt's practice, preventive Botox always includes a thorough analysis of your muscle habits. This preserves your natural appearance and slows down aging unobtrusively. Much like using good sun protection, it's a smart investment in a fresh, vital look for the long haul.
Every injection plan starts with a thorough facial analysis, targeting only the muscles or volume loss unique to your downturned corners.
Micro-dosing and layered placement techniques preserve natural movement, so others notice you look refreshed, not ‘done’.
During a personal consultation, we map out a treatment plan that respects your natural features and lifts your expression with subtlety.
Years of surgical background and deep knowledge of facial anatomy mean your treatment is performed with precision and safety.
Where appropriate, a biostimulator can be integrated to gradually rebuild collagen, supporting the lift from within. Sculptra is not used in the corners of the mouth.
