Downturned mouth

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 below each corner contributes by pulling downward, and with age the corner itself can lose support. A consultation looks at both.

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: your resting expression, and how the area balances with the rest of the face.

How it's approached

The aim is for the corners of the mouth to rest more evenly. The change is subtle and develops gradually. It's usually considered as part of the whole lower face, rather than in isolation.

• Focused on what's pulling the corners of the mouth down
• A subtle, natural change, assessed individually
• Develops gradually
• 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.