Do you suffer from a “perma-frown”? Are you worried that you appear unhappy or angry, even on the best of days? The appearance of a perma-frown is caused by a combination of genetics and gravity that cause the corners of the lips to droop downwards. The most effective way to treat this condition is through a very simple procedure known as a corner of the mouth lift or frown lift. This procedure is designed to provide a gentle lift to the corners of the mouth and literally “turn your frown upside down.”

Procedure Process

A corner of the mouth lift utilizes a very specific surgical technique to lift the corners of the mouth. It is a safe and effective procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia in less than 30 minutes and requires a relatively short recovery period afterward.

To begin, Dr. Russo uses a pen to indicate where he will make the incisions and administers a local anesthetic around the lips. He then uses a scalpel to excise a triangular piece of skin from either side of the lips just above the downturned area. Lastly, he sutures the skin together, which causes the corners of the mouth to lift slightly.

Procedure Gallery

Recovery Process

After your surgery, you will be able to return home. Dr. Russo will ask you to come back to his Champaign office 5 days later to remove your stitches and check your progress. During the recovery period, there are certain precautions you should take to ensure that your scar heals well. These include:

• Apply prescribed ointment to surgical site for the first week or as long as directed.
• Avoid opening your mouth too wide (for example, when yawning, sneezing, or laughing) for the first two weeks.
• Don’t sleep on your side while the wound is healing.
• After the wound has healed, apply SPF 50+ sunscreen to the surgical site for at least 6 months to prevent scarring.

The majority of healing will occur in the first two to three weeks, but some redness can linger for up to three months. Laser treatment of the scars is usually performed six weeks post-procedure to make them inconspicuous.  Within six months, the wound should be completely healed and the scar should be barely visible.

Ideal Candidates

If you are generally happy with your appearance but are concerned about a downturned mouth and the presence of a perma-frown, you may be a good candidate for this procedure. A corner of the mouth lift will only correct this specific concern, but it can be safely combined with other procedures to provide a more comprehensive effect if desired. Ideal candidates will be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved through a frown lift.

Consultation with Dr. Russo

Our patients in the Champaign-Urbana area and nearby cities like Charleston, Danville, and Springfield, who have undergone a frown lift with Dr. Russo report very high levels of satisfaction after their surgery. This is a surgery that produces dramatic results by treating a very small area of the face. Other clinics may suggest alternative ways to lift the lips (for example Botox or fillers), but these are rarely as effective as a frown lift and they do they provide permanent results.

Dr. Russo is an advocate of this procedure because it produces such excellent results; however, he encourages his patients to seek out a plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing frown lifts, as results can vary greatly with surgeon skill. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to contact our Champaign office today.