Downturned mouth corners
Downturned mouth corners describe a resting shape in which the oral commissures angle downward. This may be a normal facial feature or become more noticeable with ageing. It can result from muscle balance, volume change, skin folds or lower-face descent.
What you may notice
- Corners that angle downward at rest
- Deeper folds extending below the mouth
- Asymmetry between the two sides
- A stronger downturn during certain expressions
- Nearby loss of lip or chin support
Why it can happen
The appearance may reflect inherited anatomy, pull from muscles that depress the mouth corners, changes in lip and chin support, marionette folds, dental structure or tissue descent. No single treatment addresses all of these causes.
What may help
Skincare has limited effect on the position of the mouth corners. Depending on anatomy, clinicians may consider small amounts of muscle-relaxing injection, filler or fat transfer for support, resurfacing for fine lines, or lifting surgery for broader lower-face descent. Treatment must preserve speech, eating and natural expression, and excessive filler can make the lower face heavy.
When to consult
Consult a clinician for individual assessment before treatment. A new or sudden one-sided mouth droop, especially with weakness, numbness or speech changes, requires urgent medical attention.
Evidence and sources
- DermNet. Facial lines and wrinkles [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; 2004 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/facial-lines-and-wrinkles (new tab)
- DermNet. Ageing skin [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; 2018 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/ageing-skin (new tab)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift surgery [Internet]. Arlington Heights (IL): American Society of Plastic Surgeons; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift (new tab)
- DermNet. Dermal fillers and augmentation procedures [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; 2002 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dermal-fillers-and-augmentation-procedures (new tab)