Is Botox or Filler Better for Correcting Lip Asymmetry?

Hi Rayel. Botox and fillers work by different mechanisms. Botox acts to weaken or paralyze treated muscles, the contractions of which may contribute to asymmetry. If muscle contraction is contributing to your lip asymmetry, then there may be a role of botox. Fillers act to restore or add volume to a particular area. If asymmetric volume distribution of the soft tissues of your lips or perioral area are contributing to your assymetric appearance, then there may be a role for fillers. Which method of treament may be best for you depends upon your particular findings. Your question is best answered by an experienced doctor after having examined you. Good luck.

As your photograph indicates, your lip is significantly lower on the left and increasing fullness with filler, even if only on one side, will make the lip appear unusual.  Your mouth is partially open in this photograph, so the muscles are slightly contracted on the left.  If a couple of units of Botox are injected into the depressor muscle of the left side of the lower lip, you might have some upward displacement making it look more symmetric.

Rayel

BOTOX for lips is used for vertical lines and not lip shaping.  Personally, I think BOTOX which weakens muscles is not the right approach for treating lip lines.  You do not have lip lines.  In fact, there is really nothing, nothing wrong with your lips.  None of us are perfectly symmetric.  If you want to play with your lip shape, a really good injector can help shape the lip with Restylane.  You do not need very much volume for this purpose.  However, you need to go to someone who is absolutely great at this.  Your lips are already so good that it is very easy to make them look worse not better.  Do not get more than 0.4 ml of Restylane.  And do not get BOTOX for this.

Thank you for your question and photograph. In my office I like to use dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane Silk for improving lip asymmetries. These are hyaluronic acid fillers that can easily be dissolved with an enzyme known as hyaluronidase if you are unhappy with the results. I recommend having a consultation with an experienced and talented injector to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

The best product depends on your smile.  If your lips appear uneven in repose, then some sort of filler will be your best option.  HA fillers are ideal, and they last about a year or so.  There are some more permanent fillers available as well.

 

If your smile is asymmetric when speaking and smiling, Botox will be the best product to selectively weaken the muscles which are pulling too much.  This can be done safely and with great and predictable results, but be sure you are working with an experienced injector as an over-injection around the mouth can leave you with difficulty speaking, smiling, chewing, etc.