Will a lower face lift turn up the corners of the mouth? How substantial is the recovery?

Question

I hate the downturned corner of my mouth. Looks like I am frowning. Also seems like my lower lip sags. Will a lower face lift help this?

Franklin D. Richards, MD · Answer

A lower face lift will generally not change the corners of your mouth. Any lifting procedure that would, will leave you with an unnatural, operated on, pulled look. Undesirable. The corners of the mouth can be raised to a very appropriate natural position with injectable fillers (Juvederm).

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

A downturned smile or permanent frown can be improved with a combination approach, including neuromodulators (such as Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau), injectable fillers, and radiofrequency skin tightening treatments such as Thermage or Venus Legacy. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

A lower face/.neck lift will do nothing for aroung the mouth.  Fillers can really upturn the sad or down turned corners of the mouth and last roughly 4-6 months.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question, one that gets asked a lot by patients.  A Facelift targets the jawline, removing the jowls, also improving the skin texture, lifting the volume, giving a youthful appearance.  It does not target the mouth area.  If your concern in the downturn of the mouth then a lip lift will be needed, such as a valentine lift.  Please make sure you find a reputable and qualified plastic surgeon.  All The Best

Nicolette Picerno, MD · Answer

Hello, in general the answer is no it will not.  However if you are referring to the line that develops as we age that goes from the corner of the mouth down towards your neck,  then that line and associated downturn of the lips will certainly improve and even resolve.  Many times an associated procedure with the lower facelift, such as a nano fat transfer or a chin implant (if needed), will also assist in restructuring this area and creating a more youthful look.  If you desire something even simpler, sometimes fillers alone like Vollure or Juvederm can elevate the corner of the mouth. It really depends the degree of aging changes present. I would like to invite you to take a look at our webpage and see if my results are what you are looking for. Good Luck!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Unfortunately face lift will not address problem with lip corners. Best correction is achieved with direct excision of skin along mouth corner and upper lip. Scar is placed in the lip-skin junction and practically invisible. This surgery gives the appearance of secretive Mona Lisa smile so much explored in arts (and surgery). Simple surgery in local anesthesia, minimal recovery. You have to find  a surgeon familiar with this procedure if you want a good result. Fillers may correct this problem to a certain degree as well. Good luck.

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

A lower facelift can address your jowls and the neck. In our practice, we perform a deep plane vertical facelift to reposition the sagging face and neck back to where they used to be. The aim should be a natural, more rejuvenated version of your natural face.

Amy S. Bekanich, MD · Answer

Hi - 
I very much wish a lower facelift/necklift would take care of this, but, it does not.  Although you can get some improvement of the Marionette lines for a some duration of time your best bet is to "fill up" that area with fat grafting or fillers.  In my experience I can get really great correction of the lip corners with filler.  Combining that with Botox to weaken the pulling forces that cause this can give you a wonderful result.  
All the best - Dr. Bekanich

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Answer is "no". Down turned angles of mouth are not helped with facelift. Direct methods are needed for their correction.

Stacey Folk, MD · Answer

A lower facelift will not change the appearance of the corners of your mouth. The marionette line which travels further down towards your chin can certainly be improved but attempting to change the corner of the mouth through a facelift will put way too much tension on the skin in this area and create a deformity. You might be surprised how a little dermal filler artistically placed at the corner of your mouth can improve the appearance.

Will a lower face lift turn up the corners of the mouth? How substantial is the recovery?

Answers (13)

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