Downturned mouth treatments

Does your mouth give the impression that you are sad or upset when you’re not? If so, you’re not alone. Downturned lines at the corners of the mouth, or ‘oral commissures’, are a very common, natural occurrence as we age. But for some people they can give an unwanted facial expression.

The good news is that for those who dislike these lines, there is a choice of gentle, effective treatments.

What are oral commissures?

“Commissure” is the term for the corner of the mouth, where the ‘vermillion border’ of the superior labium (the upper lip) meets the inferior labium (the lower lip).

Over the years, the repetitive actions of smiling, laughing and talking, coupled with the natural effects of ageing, can cause oral commissure lines to deepen and become downturned. For some people this can cause an unwanted facial expression.

Why do lips downturn?

Full lips with a well-defined contour, strong vermillion border and distinct ‘cupid’s bow’, are characteristics of a youthful mouth.

As we age, there is a natural reduction in collagen and elastin and this causes a loss of volume and fullness in our lips and the surrounding skin. This natural thinning and loss of the convex curve to the lips can increase or deepen the oral commissures, and for many people cause a downturned line.

What are the treatment options for oral commissure lines?

Dermal fillers and lip fillers

An extremely effective treatment for commissure lines is dermal fillers. This treatment plumps out the oral commissure lines themselves. Lip fillers are also used and carefully target specific areas of the lips to replace volume and, in doing so, lift the skin and reduce the appearance of lines. As a result, the natural, youthful shape of the lips is restored, and consequently facial expressions are softened.

Fractional Mesotherapy

For very deep oral commissure lines, Fractional Mesotherapy may be a recommended treatment. This delivers vital nutrients and hydration directly into the skin using microneedles. The blend of nutrients is uniquely tailored to each patient’s specific objective, whether that be increased hydration, skin tightening or softening of deep lines.

Profhilo

Profhilo is a revolutionary moisturising treatment, which may also be recommended by your practitioner for your specific requirements. The treatment deeply hydrates and lifts your skin in targeted areas to reduce the appearance of oral commissure lines.

Profhilo is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring chemical, which the body uses to retain water in the skin and support its plumping collagen and elastin.

Read more in our Ultimate Guide to Profhilo.

Laser rejuvenation

For some patients, Laser rejuvenation may be the most appropriate treatment. This technology can help restore the skin’s youthful appearance through a process called photo-rejuvenation. Because it can be used to target skin laxity along with fine lines, for some patients it may be the ideal treatment for oral commissure lines. The laser light is delivered (based on the patient’s skin type) to the affected tissue. The body’s natural healing process will then remove the injured tissue, giving the skin a more even, youthful radiance.

Let us restore your youthful smile 

You can have your treatment at one of our Save Face accredited clinics at Huntingdon, Harley Street, Peterborough or Sevenoaks.

We offer a free initial consultation where we’ll discuss the most appropriate treatment for your specific needs. Call Melior Clinics on 0330 024 1300 or complete our online consultation request form.