What Happens If the Muscles of the Cheek Were Cut from the Corner or the Mouth to the Jaw? (photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
Facial Plastic Surgery: Q&A
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What Happens If the Muscles of the Cheek Were Cut from the Corner or the Mouth to the Jaw? (photo)

My friend wants to get a very serious body modification done called a Glasgow Smile. The cheek would be cut from the corner of the mouth to the connecting jaw, literally extending their smile and left to heal "open" not letting the cheek heal back together. What would the effects be to facial expression? What risks would be involved? I have enclosed a picture of a fake Glasgow Smile to show what they wish to get. When it heals they want to get piercings to then hold the cheeks together.

2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Lillianna in Portsmouth, NH
+1

Glasgow Smile

This would be a horrible mistake. In addition to being terribly disfigured, you would loose function of your mouth and some of your face. You would be cutting through muscles and nerves which are essential for facial animation and loose continence of your mouth when eating and drinking. Please do not go through with the procedure.
+1

You would be horribly disfigured by such a "procedure" assuming you survived.

The name comes from a gang style form of torture from Glasgow, Scotland. In 1947, Elizabeth Short (The Black Dahlia ) was found murdered in Los Angeles with this wound. Her cause of death was from blood loss from this laceration. There are important nerves and structures that would be permanently damages by making this cut. Use make up but please do not do this to yourself. Movies use special effects to create appearances. The actor in your photo was not... more
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Comments (3)

Mr. J 8 Sep 2012
Say I only want the scars, is there a way to get it done professionally and safely, or would it be smarter to simply get a tattoo instead? Could a surgeon give the scars and allow use after words of said nerves and muscles?
TheJoker 11 Apr 2013
Speaking as somebody who has a partial Glasow Grin, I wouldn't argue against choosing a tattoo, BUT, if your heart is set on scars, here is what I'd advise: First, make an appointment with a psychiatrist and determine if you're 100% sure about this, because scars never completely go away, and they'd be difficult to hide. Secondly, make an appointment with a doctor and discuss the risks of scarification, because that's how you'd be getting the scars. If you're unsure what that is, look it up and get familiar with it. Ask your doctor about the risks, about the possible complications, healing time, antibiotics to prevent infection, everything. Work out with them the skill level needed for this to be done safely, because the last thing you want is to end up with a real Glasgow Grin. Finally, find somebody with the right skill level who is comfortable and confident that they can do it right the first time, who is professional and good at their job. Rather than looking at any portfolio they might provide to show you their skill, I suggest you look them up online and see all the work they've done in the last twelve months or so, since they'll show you their best work rather than their worst.
TheJoker 11 Apr 2013
I'd like to add that I fully endorse picking a tattoo instead, because tattoos are more removable than scars

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