Downturned mouth (DAO)

Some people notice the corners of their mouth turn slightly downward at rest, which can lend the face a tired or unhappy look even when they feel neither. A small muscle running from the corner of the mouth downward, the depressor anguli oris, or DAO, contributes to this. A subtle anti-wrinkle treatment can soften its pull, allowing the corners of the mouth to sit a little more neutrally.

The concern people describe

It's often described as “looking sad or stern when I'm not, ” or corners of the mouth that have started to turn down with age. It's assessed individually, the muscle's activity, your resting expression, and how the area balances with the rest of the face.

How it's approached

Treatment relaxes the downward pull of the muscle so the corners of the mouth can rest more evenly. The effect is subtle and develops over a couple of weeks. It's often considered alongside other lower-face treatments as part of a broader assessment, rather than in isolation.

• Directed at the muscle that pulls the mouth corners down
• A subtle, natural change, assessed individually
• Develops gradually over a couple of weeks
• Often considered as part of a broader lower-face plan

Risks, recovery and realistic expectations

This is a medical procedure and carries some risk. Temporary effects such as tenderness or bruising can occur, and because the muscles around the mouth are involved in expression and movement, a careful and conservative approach matters; the risks relevant to you will be explained in full beforehand. The effect is temporary and needs an ongoing approach to maintain. Individual results vary, and what's appropriate for you is determined only after a proper assessment.