Downturned mouth corners

Down­tur­ned mouth cor­ners point down­wards and can give the face a sad, tired or dis­grunt­led expres­si­on even when the per­son is rela­xed. They are a com­mon sign of facial ageing.

Cau­ses

An important fac­tor is the depres­sor angu­li oris, a mus­cle that pulls the cor­ners of the mouth down and gains the upper hand over the years. Loss of fat pads and bone in the jaw, decli­ning skin firm­ness and gene­tic pre­dis­po­si­ti­on add to this. Fre­quent facial expres­si­ons also play a part.

Sym­ptoms

The cor­ners of the mouth sit lower than the line bet­ween the lips. Lines often run from them towards the chin, known as mario­net­te lines. The face looks ster­ner than inten­ded, which many peo­p­le find distressing.

Tre­at­ment

Small amounts of botu­li­num toxin relax the depres­sor mus­cle so that the cor­ners lift slight­ly; the effect lasts a few months. Hyalu­ro­nic acid sup­ports the cor­ners and replaces lost volu­me. The two are often com­bi­ned. For mark­ed sag­ging, skin tigh­tening pro­ce­du­res or a sur­gi­cal cor­ner lift may be considered.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Ele­vat­ing sag­ging mouth corners