Corner Lip Lift

When the corners of the mouth naturally pull downward, it can make you look tired, stern, or even unhappy, no matter how you actually feel. Makeup, skincare, and even fillers can only go so far when the issue is structural rather than surface-level.

A corner lip lift is a small, precise surgical procedure that gently elevates the outer corners of your lips, softening a perma‑frown and restoring a more relaxed, approachable expression. Unlike temporary injectables, a corner lip lift reshapes the tissue itself for lasting change.

At Allure Esthetic in Seattle, corner lip lift is performed by Dr. Javad Sajan, offering a precise surgical way to lift downturned mouth corners and restore a more youthful, balanced expression. By subtly elevating the outer edges of the lips, this procedure reveals more of the natural pink tissue at the corners and softens a resting frown, creating a refreshed, approachable contour.

A corner lip lift, sometimes called an oral commissure lift or “grin lift”, focuses specifically on the outer edges of the mouth. During the procedure, your surgeon removes a tiny wedge or triangle of skin just above each mouth corner, then gently repositions and sutures the tissue so the corners sit slightly higher.

Key points:

• Targets only the corners of the mouth (not the entire upper lip).
• Usually performed with local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation.
• Typically takes about 30–45 minutes as an outpatient procedure.
• Incisions are carefully placed along the natural transition between lip and skin to help scars blend in over time.

The goal is not to give you a constant, exaggerated smile, but rather to return the mouth to a more neutral or subtly uplifted position that looks natural for your face.

A corner lip lift is designed for very specific concerns, including:

• Downturned corners of the mouth at rest (sad or angry look).
• Loss of red lip show near the outer upper lip, where the lip can seem to fold inward.
• A permanent frown that doesn’t match your mood or personality.
• Mild asymmetry between the left and right mouth corners

Many patients also have marionette lines (vertical creases from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin). These are often improved more effectively with fillers, resurfacing, or facelift techniques, so they may require additional treatment alongside a corner lip lift.

Patients choose a corner lip lift for several reasons:

More positive expression

Lifting the corners softens a resting frown and makes you appear more open and friendly.

Youthful lower face

Aging, volume loss, and gravity all contribute to sagging mouth corners; elevating them restores a younger mouth shape.

Permanent structural change

Unlike fillers or Botox, which fade over months, a corner lip lift repositions the tissue for long‑lasting results, though normal aging continues.

Refined lip shape

By subtly increasing the show of the pink lip at the corners, the upper lip can look more balanced across its entire width.

Works well with other procedures

Often combined with a bullhorn lip lift, facelift, or dermal fillers for comprehensive perioral rejuvenation.

You may be a strong candidate for a corner lip lift if you:

• Notice your mouth corners turn down even when relaxed.
• Feel your expression looks sad, tired, or stern in photos.
• Prefer a permanent solution instead of ongoing injections.
• Are in good general health and a non‑smoker or willing to stop before and after surgery.
• Have realistic expectations about scars, healing, and the degree of lift.

Additionally, your surgeon will also evaluate:

• Lip length and proportion.
• Tooth-show when you smile.
• Skin quality and elasticity.
• Whether additional treatments (facelift, fillers, resurfacing) would better address deeper lines or jowling.

There are several ways to address downturned mouth corners, and they often work best in combination:

Dermal Fillers

• Add volume around marionette lines and the corners of the mouth.
• Can soften shadows that make the mouth look droopy.
• Results usually last 6–12 months and require maintenance.

Botox / Neurotoxins

• Relax the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, which pulls the corners downward.
• Provide a subtle lift that lasts around 3–4 months.

Corner Lip Lift Surgery

• Physically raises the corners by removing a tiny wedge of skin.
• Offers permanent structural change, not just volume or muscle relaxation.
• Especially helpful when the corners stay downturned despite fillers or neuromodulators.

For many patients, non‑surgical treatments are a great trial run or adjunct, but a corner lip lift is chosen once they’re ready for a lasting, structural correction.

Before Your Procedure

Your consultation is focused on understanding how your mouth shape makes you feel and what kind of change you’d like to see. Your surgeon will:

• Review your medical history and medications.
• Examine lip proportions, tooth show, and facial balance.
• Discuss where incisions will be placed and what kind of scar to expect.
• Outline whether additional treatments might enhance your result.

You’ll receive pre‑operative instructions, which may include pausing blood‑thinning medications (with clearance from your prescribing doctor), stopping smoking, and avoiding certain supplements.

During the Procedure

• Local anesthesia is used to numb the area around the mouth; some patients opt for light oral or IV sedation.
• The surgeon makes small, carefully measured incisions just above each corner of the mouth.
• Tiny wedges of skin are removed, and the corners are gently lifted and secured with fine sutures.
• The entire process usually takes 30–60 minutes, and you go home the same day.

After the Procedure

• Mild swelling, tightness, or bruising around the corners of the mouth is common and typically improves over 7–10 days.
• You’ll be asked to sleep with your head elevated, avoid strenuous activity, and limit heavy mouth movements (big yawns, exaggerated expressions) for a short time.
• Sutures are removed or dissolved within about a week, and most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities around that time.

Scars soften and fade gradually over several months. Meticulous incision placement and scar care, like sun protection and recommended topical treatments, help them blend in as much as possible.

Any surgical procedure carries some risk. With a corner lip lift, potential complications can include:

• Noticeable or thickened scars at the mouth corners
• Asymmetry between the two sides
• Prolonged swelling or numbness
• Infection or delayed wound healing
• Dissatisfaction with the degree of lift

Even with excellent technique, a corner lip lift has visible incision sites right where lip and skin meet, so a small, faint scar is expected rather than zero scar. Some surgeons are cautious about this procedure for patients who are especially scar‑sensitive or perfectionistic. A corner lip lift also does not fully treat deeper marionette lines, jowls, or significant skin laxity on its own; those may need filler, laser, resurfacing, or facelift‑level tightening for best results.

For more complete lower‑face rejuvenation, your surgeon may recommend pairing a corner lip lift with:

• Bullhorn or central lip lift – to shorten the upper lip and enhance the Cupid’s bow while the corners are lifted for symmetry.
• Facelift or mini facelift – to address jowling and deeper marionette lines while refining the mouth shape.
• Injectables or skin resurfacing – to smooth vertical lip lines and fine wrinkles around the mouth.

Your treatment plan is customized so the lips, chin, and lower face all harmonize rather than looking done in just one spot.

If you feel that your resting expression doesn’t match your personality, a corner lip lift can be a subtle but powerful way to soften a permanent frown and restore a more welcoming appearance.

At a lip lift consultation at Allure Esthetic in Seattle, you’ll sit down with Dr. Javad Sajan to talk through your aesthetic goals in detail. This one‑on‑one visit is your chance to learn about the procedure, review the different lip lift techniques, and see how they can be customized to your unique facial features. To find out whether a corner lip lift is right for you, call us at (206) 209-0988 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sajan. For detailed information about other procedures done at Seattle Plastic Surgery, visit our website https://www.allureesthetic.com/.

Is a corner lip lift permanent?

Yes. A corner lip lift removes a small amount of skin and repositions the tissue, so the new mouth corner position is long‑lasting. Normal aging continues, but the structural change itself does not “wear off” the way fillers or Botox do.

Will a corner lip lift get rid of my marionette lines?

Not completely. The surgery is excellent for lifting the corners themselves, but the vertical folds running from the corners toward the chin (marionette lines) usually respond best to fillers, resurfacing, or facelift‑type procedures. Many patients combine treatments for the best overall result.

How noticeable are the scars?

Incisions are placed along the natural border where the lip meets the surrounding skin, or just above it. Early on, scars can look pink or slightly raised, but they typically flatten and fade over several months and often blend well into the natural crease, though a faint line may always remain on close inspection.

How long is recovery after a corner lip lift?

Most people feel comfortable being out in public within about a week, once initial swelling and bruising fade and sutures are removed or dissolved. Full scar maturation and final refinement of the result can take several months.

Can I still have fillers or Botox after a corner lip lift?

Yes. Many patients continue to use fillers or neurotoxins after surgery to enhance lip volume, soften remaining lines, or maintain a smooth, youthful look in surrounding areas. Your injector will simply adjust placement to respect your new lip shape.