Scottsdale – When the corner of mouth sags, the individual can look sad, angry and aged.

There are several ways of lifting the corner of the mouth.

The non-surgical method includes the application of Botox to the Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO) muscle. This is the simplest approach to the problem with the down-turned  corner of the mouth. It is a nice, quick and relatively pain-free approach. The down side is that results only last about 3 to 4 months. The treatment has to be repeated to maintain the results. Adding dermal filler, like Juvederm or Restylane, can make the results more impressive and longer lasting.

The DAO can also be surgically manipulated. Direct  surgical manipulation can lift the corners and create a more permanent result. This can be performed during facelift surgery. This procedure, however, is relatively new and results will vary depending on surgeon experience.

Another approach includes the direct lift of the corner of the mouth. This is performed with the excision of a small sliver of skin right above the corner of the mouth. With the closure of the incision that is created, the corner of the mouth comes up to a normal level and the patient loses that scowling downward turn of the mouth. This is a procedure that has a long history and is more predictable.