Let’s face it: a downturned mouth is not a happy look!
One of the first things that people notice about you is your smile. A smiling mouth is probably the most visually striking and most distinctive facial feature of all expressions. There’s even research that suggests that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life. We are hardwired to connect with other people and build social relationships, and our faces are our biggest tool when it comes to nonverbal communication. Since the mouth is one of the most important visual focal points in our faces, a downturned mouth can make us look sad, unfriendly or angry, and that can convey a message that is inconsistent with the way we really feel inside.
What causes a sad or downturned mouth
Although downturned corners of the mouth can be seen in some younger patients, the vast majority of these cases occur as people age. We can say that the most common cause of a sad mouth is the natural ageing process.
Full lips with a well-defined shape, vermillion border and cupid’s bow are common characteristics of a youthful-looking mouth. As we age, our production of collagen and elastin is affected, and they’re responsible for giving the skin volume, plumpness and elasticity. With the loss of collagen and elastin, gravity causes the skin and soft tissues that support the mouth to sag, resulting in droopy corners of the mouth.
In younger patients, a downturned mouth is often caused by an overactive Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO) muscle.
The Depressor Anguli Oris Muscle
The DAO muscle sits on either side of the mouth and is responsible for depressing and pulling the corner of the mouth laterally. This facial muscle allows a person to move the corners of their mouth downwards and express emotions facially such as frowning. People sometimes refer to the Depressor Anguli Oris as the “sadness muscle”.
Besides the natural ageing process and people’s individual genetic makeup, some conditions can affect this muscle such as Bell’s Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Lyme Disease and facial trauma. When the Depressor Anguli Oris muscle is overactive or weak due to sagging skin, it can look like a person is frowning when their face is at rest.
How anti-wrinkle injections can help
Anti-wrinkle injections are made of a substance called Botulinum Toxin Type A and they work by blocking neural impulses to the muscles in the injected area to temporarily prevent the muscle from moving too much. This is a painless procedure where very small amounts of product are injected with a fine needle under the skin.
When the DAO muscle is treated with anti-wrinkle injections, it will relax and counteract the downward orientation causing the corners of the mouth to be slightly lifted. This will give the mouth a happier, more youthful appearance and lessen the “sad mouth” look.
Nurse Julie has been treating patients with anti-wrinkle injections for more than a decade with results that are subtle and natural. You can book a consultation by emailing julie@jbcosmetic.co.uk.
