Necessary To Cut Upper Lip Muscle

Cutting the muscle does prevent the tip to rotate downward with facial animation like smiling.  This is a big issue for some patients who tell me they don't like the way they look in photographs or profile pictures.  Cutting the muscle is a technique I discuss with patients pre operatively, but I give them a choice as to whether it will be done.  There are few draw backs or potential risks to the procedure except for post op swelling.  

The depressor nasi muscle is cut  to minimize the inferior rotation of the tip with smiling or facial animation. There is little risk with this procedure. It is not necessary but discuss this alternative with your surgeon before the operation.