A droopy or downturned mouth can make someone look permanently tired or unhappy, regardless of how they actually feel.
A droopy or downturned mouth, often with marionette lines running to the jaw, can make someone look permanently tired or unhappy regardless of how they feel. Dr Sateei focuses on gently softening this downward pull rather than dramatically altering mouth shape.
A downward pull develops when the depressor anguli oris muscle becomes relatively more dominant than the muscles lifting the mouth. Ageing causes collagen and volume loss around the mouth and jaw; genetics affect how early this shows; sun damage accelerates collagen breakdown.
Mouth corners sitting lower than the lip midline at rest, giving a sad or stern look even at neutral. Deepening marionette lines and softened jawline are common.
Carefully dosed anti-wrinkle injections soften the depressor muscle’s pull, easing downward tension without affecting speech or smiling. Dermal filler restores support to the jawline, chin and marionette folds. Where broader volume loss contributes, a wider facial assessment may be recommended, and skin boosters can support skin quality around the mouth. Dr Sateei will explain which combination is likely to work best for your particular presentation, tailoring the plan closely to your goals.
This delicate area needs particular skill, and Dr Sateei’s twenty years of experience and “ultra-subtle” approach suit it well, at both her London (near Harley Street) and Sevenoaks clinics.
Muscle imbalance from age-related volume and elasticity loss; genetics and sun damage also contribute.
Sun protection and skincare help slow it, but not fully prevent it.
Usually a combination of anti-wrinkle injections and filler.
Anti-wrinkle around three to four months; filler months to over a year.
Mild discomfort; fine needles and numbing where appropriate.
Some mild swelling/bruising settling within days.
Anti-wrinkle within days to two weeks; filler visible immediately.
No, dosing is conservative to preserve normal expression.
Most adults with this ageing pattern.
Improvement is likely but results vary; full reversal not guaranteed.
treatment for droopy mouth is often planned alongside these.
If a downturned mouth has been making you look more tired than you feel, Dr Ellie Sateei welcomes a consultation at her London or Sevenoaks clinic.
Our London clinic is located at 91a New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XF
We serve patients from London, Kent and the home counties as well as from all over the world. Our London clinic sits in the heart of Marylebone, within easy reach of the West End by tube, while our Sevenoaks clinic in Ightham is moments from the M25 and M26 for patients across Kent.
