Mouth frown refers to the downturn in the corners of the mouth that can occur as we age. This results in a sad or unhappy appearance. The mouth frown is caused by a couple of mechanisms, (and often a combination of both).

Firstly, the downturn of the corners of the mouth can be caused by repeated use of the perioral muscles that pull the lateral corners of the mouth downwards. The most powerful of the mouth depressors is called Depressor Anguli Oris muscles (DAO). Through the use of wrinkle relaxants, we can weaken these muscles, and thereby reducing the ability to pull down on the corners of the mouth. The result is an upturn, smiling mouth, rather than a mouth frown.

Wrinkle relaxants in this area should only been done in expert hands, that is, a fully qualified and trained cosmetic specialist. A detailed knowledge of facial anatomy is crucial as incorrect placement of the wrinkle relaxant may result in the wrong muscle being affected, leading to facial asymmetry and a ‘stroke-like’ appearance.

Secondly, mouth frowns are also caused by the loss of volume and elasticity in the skin at the corners of the mouth. Dermal fillers placed near the corner of the mouth can be used to create an upturn in the corners, and can be used to replace volume lost in this area. Dermal fillers are non- permanent and use a biocompatible gel made from Hyaluronic Acid, a natural component found within our skin.

Accordion lines are vertical, often slightly curved, lines on either side of the lower half of the face. The cause is two-fold; repeated muscle action when you smile, and due to the loss of elastin, collagen, and subcutaneous fat within the skin as we age. This degradation of the skin structure as we age, leads to more prominent, deeper, and more permanent facial lines. The mainstay of treatment for accordion lines is the careful placement of dermal fillers within the skin in the affected areas.

Contact Dr Tandra Paul for more information about Mouth Frown and Accordion Lines treatments using the contact page here.