One of the things I often hear in the clinic is, "People tell me I look angry even when I'm just sitting still." These are cases where the person feels no particular emotion, yet their neutral face is read as sad or angry. In such cases, rather than making major changes to the whole face, I first look at a single muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward.
The impression of an expression is decided by smaller details than you think
The impression you leave on someone you meet for the first time is decided by very subtle differences in expression. It is natural that a face with slightly upturned mouth corners feels warmer than a frowning one. If glabellar Botox, which I covered earlier, was about softening a frown to make the expression gentler and even affecting mood, mouth corner Botox is an approach that adjusts drooping mouth corners to create a somewhat more relaxed impression.
Comparing the two side by side, it can be summarized like this.
| Category | Main target area | Direction of change in impression |
|---|---|---|
| Glabellar Botox | Muscles that knit the brows | Softens a stiff expression |
| Mouth corner Botox | Muscle that pulls the mouth corners down | Eases drooping mouth corners |
If you are curious why I look at glabellar Botox together with mood rather than as a simple expression issue, you may also want to read Why I look at glabellar Botox in terms of both expression and mood.
I look first at the DAO, the muscle that pulls the mouth corners down
Mouth corner Botox is a procedure that injects botulinum toxin into the muscles around the mouth, especially the DAO (depressor anguli oris muscle), to help the corners of the mouth lift naturally.
As its name suggests, the DAO is the muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward. What happens when this muscle is excessively tense or active? Even at rest, the corners of the mouth look turned down, and as a result the face easily comes across as sad or angry.
At that point, slightly reducing the action of the DAO eases the drooping of the mouth corners. Even without smiling, the mouth corners stay subtly lifted, and the face reads as much softer. The following are patterns I often see in the clinic.
- People who are often told that the corners of their mouth droop when their face is at rest
- People who feel their mouth-corner line has gradually dropped with age
- People who feel their expression in photos looks darker than their actual mood
Why I see mouth corner Botox as a relatively simple option
The procedure itself is fairly simple. It does not require an incision or a long recovery, and it proceeds as follows.
- Check the movement of the muscles around the mouth and the position of the mouth corners.
- Inject a small amount of botulinum toxin, divided between the left and right DAO.
- After the procedure, observe the expression and adjust the left-right balance.
When the injection is placed accurately, it is often finished with about two brief pricks. However, because each person uses and develops their facial muscles differently, the response and how long the effect lasts vary from person to person.
A neutral face is not necessarily a bad impression. But if muscle habits make your expression read differently from how you actually feel, finely adjusting just that part can change your impression.
If I judge that drooping mouth corners come from sagging of the skin and tissue rather than from the muscle, I may consider lifting treatments before Botox. Because the direction differs depending on the situation, A cost-conscious overview of lifting treatments and The criteria that separate Titanium lifting from ONDA lifting can also be helpful.
If you are wondering whether your drooping mouth corners are due to the muscle or to sagging, feel free to ask through Start a chat consultation now.
Can expression and mood be looked at together?
As I mentioned when covering glabellar Botox, I believe changes in expression can also affect mood. The idea is that simply seeing a slightly more relaxed face in the mirror, as mouth corners that had been drooping ease, can be a psychologically positive signal. The interaction between expression and mood is a topic that has been steadily discussed in academic materials, but because the effect and how it feels vary from person to person, I recommend approaching the procedure with the goal of improving your expression.
In closing
Mouth corner Botox is a procedure that eases drooping mouth corners by adjusting the tension of the DAO, the muscle that pulls the mouth corners down, helping create a soft impression even when you are not smiling. The procedure is fairly simple, but because the subtle balance of the facial muscles determines the result, it is above all important to first check your expression habits and the state of your mouth corners in the clinic. Costs are explained after a consultation, and if you have any questions, please reach out through Consult via chat.
Author: Dr. Cho Mingyeol, Medical Director (board-certified dermatologist; Master Certification in Pigmentation, Acne, Rosacea and Hair from the Korean Dermatologists Association). You can find the full profile on the Medical Team page. First published 2024-12-02 / Last reviewed 2026-07-09
This article is intended for general information only; the appropriate treatment and outcomes may vary depending on each individual's condition.