fist pumping at the corners of one's mouth

Corner-of-the-mouth lift is a procedure that involves making an incision and removing skin along the mouth corner line to shorten the underlying muscles, thereby lifting the corners of the mouth. It lifts the corners of the mouth for individuals who appear to have naturally drooping corners or those caused by aging, creating a brighter, more smiling appearance.

During the procedure, the corners of the lips are incised and excess skin is removed. The muscles that lift the corners of the mouth are shortened, and the muscles that pull them downward are adjusted. Finally, the incised areas are meticulously sutured to achieve natural, stable upward-turned corners of the mouth.

The expression around the mouth is formed by numerous muscles, such as the following.

・Zygomaticus major muscle: The muscle that raises the corners of the mouth
・Zygomaticus major muscle: The muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth outward.
・Depressor anguli oris muscle: The muscle that pulls down the corners of the mouth

In addition,
Zygomaticus minor muscle, risorius muscle, depressor labii inferior muscle, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle, levator labii superioris muscle, mentalis muscle, etc.

In cases where the corners of the mouth are naturally downturned, this is thought to be caused by either elongation of the levator anguli oris muscle or excessive activity of the depressor anguli oris muscle. On the other hand, age-related downturning of the corners of the mouth is primarily due to laxity of the levator anguli oris muscle and increased activity of the depressor labii inferioris muscle.

Our corner-of-the-mouth lift surgery naturally lifts the corners of the mouth by balancing these muscles. We carefully determine whether only skin excision is needed or if muscle lifting is also required based on the patient's desired design, performing the procedure using the optimal method.

The causes of drooping corners of the mouth are not limited to genetics or aging. Daily lifestyle habits also play a significant role.

＜Factors Contributing to Drooping Mouth Corners＞
・Muscle deterioration... As the masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles weaken with age, the weight of the cheeks can no longer counteract gravity, causing the corners of the mouth to droop.
・Mouth breathing…Keeping your mouth constantly open can cause the muscles around the corners of your mouth to become lax. Particular caution is needed if mouth breathing has become habitual due to conditions like allergic rhinitis.
・Leaning forward... When the posture of using computers or smartphones for long periods becomes habitual, the cheek tissue sags downward and the corners of the mouth droop. Additionally, increased periods of facial expressionlessness are another reason the muscles around the mouth aren't used.

In this way, lifestyle habits can also cause the corners of the mouth to droop. However, simply improving lifestyle habits does not necessarily yield immediate visible results. A lip lift is a surgical procedure that directly addresses drooping corners of the mouth. Even when changes are difficult to discern through lifestyle adjustments alone, the procedure can physically lift the corners of the mouth.