My lower lips pull down to the right when I am smiling, yet remain normal when I'm not smiling. Can it be fixed?

Question

I am 21 years old. I had this problem since I was born. My father and grandfather have it so I guess it's genetic, but mine is more visible cause I am a girl. Anyway, if the problem happens to be related to depressor anguli oris muscles, for instance, if these muscles aren't active on my left side, can they be activTed via facial excercise or surgery to reach the same level as the already active side ?

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello crookedlips,Thanks for your question.If you feel that one side of your lower lip pulls harder on activation, causing an imbalance in your smile, a low dose of botox can weaken the stronger side to decrease the pull.  It is a temporary improvement that will last 3-4 months.You certainly can try to pull harder with the left side since it doesn't seem to pull as hard at the moment, and this could be the "exercise" you refer to.  If there is some aberrant anatomy or facial nerve weakness on the left, there will be a limit to the effectiveness of the "exercise."See an expert injector to evaluate which muscles need to be treated on the strong side to get the best chance of balancing.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

This is not a DAO problem but a DLI problem. Depressor Labii Inferioris. I might be related to a facial nerve problem - the marginal mandibular nerve. I think the only way to fix things is to inject Botox into the good side. You can try a little and see if you like. I will wear off in 3 months if you don't. This is not the same injection as the DAO. It is done more medially. This is for experienced injectors only.

My lower lips pull down to the right when I am smiling, yet remain normal when I'm not smiling. Can it be fixed?

Answers (2)

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My lower lips pull down to the right when I am smiling, yet remain normal when I'm not smiling. Can it be fixed?

Answers (2)

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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.