Gravity is a jerk. You wake up one day, look in the mirror, and realize your face looks grumpy even when you're actually having a great morning. It’s that slight downward turn at the edges of the lips. Doctors call it oral commissure drooping, but most of us just call it looking tired or sad. This is exactly why people spend hours scouring the internet for corner of the mouth lift before and after photos. They want to know if a tiny adjustment can actually fix a "perma-frown" without making them look like a Batman villain.
It’s a subtle change. Honestly, the difference between a neutral expression and a miserable one is often just a couple of millimeters of skin.
The corners of your mouth are a high-traffic area. Think about how much they move when you talk, eat, or laugh. Over time, the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle—which is the little guy responsible for pulling the corners down—starts to win the tug-of-war against your upward-pulling muscles. Add in some volume loss and skin laxity, and suddenly you have those "marionette lines" that make you look like a ventriloquist's doll.
Why the "Before" Usually Looks So Grumpy
Most patients seeking this procedure aren't trying to look twenty again. They just want to look approachable. When you look at a typical corner of the mouth lift before and after profile, the "before" image usually shows a distinct shadow at the oral commissures.
This shadow is the enemy.
It’s created by a fold of skin hanging over the corner, often exacerbated by the loss of fat in the cheeks. When the cheeks deflate, everything north of your jawline migrates south. Dr. Ben Talei, a well-known facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, often talks about how the mouth is the focal point of human interaction. If the corners are down, the social signal you're sending is "leave me alone."
But here’s the thing: a lot of people think they need a full facelift when they really just need a localized lift. Or they think filler will solve it. Sometimes filler helps, but if you overfill that area, you get "duck breath" or a weird bulging that looks totally unnatural when you move your face.
The Surgical Reality: Corner Lip Lift (Anguli Depressor Resection)
If you're looking at surgical corner of the mouth lift before and after results, you're likely seeing the outcome of a procedure called a Valentine Anguloplasty or a similar corner resection.
It’s a quick surgery. Usually, it takes about 45 minutes under local anesthesia. The surgeon removes a small, triangular wedge of skin just above the corner of the mouth. By closing this gap, the corner is physically hoisted upward.
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- The Scar Factor: This is the big "but." Because the incision is on the face, there is a risk of visible scarring.
- Healing Time: The first week is rough. You'll look like you got into a minor scuffle.
- Results: Once the swelling goes down, the change is permanent.
I’ve seen cases where the patient looks ten years younger just because that shadow is gone. But you have to be careful with who does the cutting. If they take too much, you end up with an "eternal smile" that looks creepy. A skilled surgeon hides the incision right in the natural vermilion border (the line where your lip meets your skin).
Non-Surgical Paths: Botox and Fillers
Not everyone wants to go under the knife. In fact, most corner of the mouth lift before and after searches are probably people looking for a "liquid lift."
Botox is a clever trick here. Remember that DAO muscle I mentioned? If a provider injects a few units of Botox (or Dysport/Xeomin) into that muscle, it relaxes. When the "down-pulling" muscle takes a break, the "up-pulling" muscles (like the zygomaticus) can do their job better. The result? A subtle, 2-millimeter lift that lasts about three to four months.
Then there’s filler. Using a hyaluronic acid filler like Juvederm Volbella or Restylane Kysse can provide a "scaffold." By placing a bit of product right under the commissure, the surgeon can physically prop up the corner.
It works. Mostly.
The downside of the non-surgical route is that it’s temporary. You’re on a subscription plan with your injector. Also, if your skin is very heavy or inelastic, filler might just make the area look heavy rather than lifted. It's a fine line.
Real Expectations for Your "After" Photo
Let’s be real for a second. Your "after" photo isn't going to look like a filtered Instagram post.
In the first two weeks after a surgical lift, you’ll have sutures. They’re tiny, but they’re there. You might have some redness that lasts a month. If you choose the Botox route, you won't see anything for five days, then suddenly you'll realize you don't look as "mad" in Zoom meetings.
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One thing people rarely talk about is how it feels. After a surgical lift, the corners of your mouth might feel tight when you yawn or bite into a large sandwich. This settles down, but it's a weird sensation for a while.
The goal is "neutral." You don't want to look like a clown. You want to look like you're at peace.
The Cost and the Risks
Insurance isn't paying for this. It's purely cosmetic. Depending on where you live—New York City prices are different than Nashville prices—a surgical corner lift can run you anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000. Botox is much cheaper, usually under $200 for that specific area, while fillers will set you back $600 to $900 per syringe.
Risks? Yeah, there are a few.
- Asymmetry: One side might sit slightly higher than the other. Human faces aren't symmetrical anyway, but surgery can highlight it.
- Hypertrophic scarring: Some people's skin just doesn't heal flat.
- Nerve interference: Rare, but possible.
Comparing the Options: A Quick Breakdown
When you're weighing a corner of the mouth lift before and after, you have to decide how much downtime you can actually handle.
If you choose surgery, you're looking at a permanent fix. No more needles every three months. But you have a scar risk and about 10 days of "don't look at me" recovery.
If you choose Botox/Filler, there's zero downtime. You can go to dinner that night. But you'll be back in the chair in six months, and the results are much more subtle. If you have significant skin sagging, Botox might not be enough to fight gravity.
Actionable Steps for Your Smile
If you’re tired of people asking "what's wrong?" when you're perfectly fine, here is how you should actually proceed. Don't just book the first person you find on Google.
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First, do the "Mirror Test." Take two fingers and very lightly lift the skin at the corners of your mouth by about 2 millimeters. If that solves the problem, you're a candidate. If you have to pull your whole cheek up to see a difference, you probably need a mid-face lift or a thread lift instead.
Second, vet your surgeon. Look specifically for "perioral rejuvenation" in their portfolio. Ask to see corner of the mouth lift before and after photos of patients who have your same skin tone. Scars show up differently on darker skin (melanated skin is more prone to keloids or hyperpigmentation).
Third, start small. If you've never had work done, try the Botox DAO injection first. It’s cheap, it wears off, and it gives you a "test drive" of what a lifted corner looks like. If you love the look but hate the maintenance, then look into the surgical options.
Fourth, manage the skin. No surgery looks good on dehydrated, sun-damaged skin. Use a retinoid and high-quality Vitamin C serum to keep the skin around your mouth elastic. It makes the surgeon's job easier and your results last longer.
Ultimately, lifting the corners of the mouth is about alignment. It's about making your external expression match your internal mood. It’s a small change that carries a massive psychological weight. Just remember that less is usually more in the world of lip aesthetics. You want people to notice you look refreshed, not that you've had "work" done.
Focus on the shadows. If you can eliminate the shadow, you win.
Next Steps for Your Research
Check the credentials of any provider you visit through the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. If you are opting for the surgical route, ask about their specific technique for minimizing tension on the incision line, as tension is the primary cause of widened or visible scars in the oral commissure area. For those leaning toward fillers, ensure they are using a flexible HA (Hyaluronic Acid) product designed for high-movement areas of the face to avoid a "stiff" look when you laugh or speak.