What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips? (photos)

Question

My lips have always been asymmetrical and my smile is very “gummy”. The thickness of my lips is not as much of a concern as the shape is. I have been called a horse when I smile and my resting face I have learned to despise. One side of my mouth seems to be normal (right side of picture) and the left drops off and my mouth falls open when my face is resting as well. Would fillers/injections help this issue?

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! Some levels of asymmetry exist in all faces and it is part of our natural beauty. For lips, we can always use some fillers to make adjustments although asymmetry that is more dynamic in natural (appears to gets more prominent when smiling vs. in neutral expression) can be more challenging to correct. Additionally, for patients concerned with gummy smile, treatment with Botox (or other medications in the Botox family; Xeomin, Dysport or Jeuveau) is often more effective. I hope it helps and good luck!

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your quesiton.If you had botox injected above the lip it would relax your smile and make it less "gummy".

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

fillers can give you better shape and botox can be used for gummy smile. I would consider veneers as well to improve the overall lok of your smile and shaping of your mouth.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear freckled9785,
I perform a lot of lip injections with fillers such as juvederm and it works great. Many times I need to put more in one side than the other to attempt to even out the vermillion border (The red line of the lip). This helps provide more symmetry at times.For patients looking for a more long lasting result, I recommend fat grafting. That is, using your own bodies fat to make your lips naturally look more shapely. The bonus is that the results last many many years.
In general, I avoid using permanent prosthesis because I find that the lips are such dynamic and sensitive structures, the end result is not natural.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Vibha Gambhir, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Filler directly into the lips can help minimize some of your asymmetry and even out your lips; however, we can never completely improve the area and cannot remove asymmetry completely. You could also get some botox above the lip area to help with your gummy smile. Hope this helps!

What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips?

Answer: What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips?

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Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

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What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips?

Answer: What treatment should I use for my asymmetrical lips?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.