Corner of the mouth treatment


Drooping corners of the mouth can give your face a somber, tired, or dissatisfied appearance, even though you do not feel that way at all. It is a common complaint that develops gradually, and one that many people only become bothered by once they notice it. At Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam, we treat drooping corners of the mouth with a subtle wrinkle relaxer, so that your corners of the mouth return to a neutral position and your face takes on a friendlier, more relaxed expression.



On this page, you can read exactly what drooping corners of the mouth are, how they differ from marionette lines, how the treatment works, what you can expect from the results, and what it costs. If you still have questions after reading this, our doctors would be happy to discuss them with you personally.

Table of contents

  1. What are drooping corners of the mouth?
  2. Drooping corners of the mouth or marionette lines?
  3. Causes of drooping corners of the mouth
  4. How does the treatment work?
  5. Wrinkle relaxer or filler?
  6. The treatment step by step
  7. Result and shelf life
  8. Benefits and points to consider
  9. Recovery and aftercare
  10. Risks and side effects
  11. Who is the treatment suitable for?
  12. Costs of the treatment
  13. Why Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam?
  14. Frequently Asked Questions

What are drooping corners of the mouth?

Drooping corners of the mouth, also known as sagging corners of the mouth, occur when the corners of your mouth point slightly downward instead of remaining neutral. Drooping corners of the mouth can be the result of an overactive muscle that runs from the corner of the mouth to the chin. If this muscle contracts frequently, the corners of the mouth can point downward, giving a sad, mournful, or dissatisfied appearance. This muscle is called the depressor anguli oris. As you get older and the skin loses some of its firmness, the downward effect often becomes more noticeable, even if you feel perfectly fine.

Drooping corners of the mouth or marionette lines?


These two conditions are often confused, but they are not the same. Drooping corners of the mouth refer to the position of the corners of the mouth themselves: they point downwards. Marionette lines are the vertical lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin. The two frequently occur together and reinforce each other, but they sometimes require a different approach. We usually treat drooping corners of the mouth with a wrinkle relaxer that relaxes the downward muscle. For lines towards the chin, a filler applied to the marionette lines is often more suitable. During your consultation, the doctor will assess what will yield the best result in your case.

Causes of drooping corners of the mouth

There is rarely a single cause. Usually, multiple factors work together:

  • A naturally active depressor anguli oris, which pulls the corners of the mouth downwards.
  • Aging, in which the skin loses elasticity and the subcutaneous tissue loses volume.
  • Loss of support around the jawline and chin, causing the tissue to sag slightly.
  • Hereditary predisposition for facial shape and muscle activity.
  • Lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of sleep, and stress, which accelerate aging.

Because the cause varies from person to person, the doctor always examines your entire face before creating a treatment plan.

How does the treatment work?

With a simple wrinkle relaxer treatment, the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth downwards can relax, allowing the corners to return to a horizontal position, resulting in a friendly, satisfied expression. Using a thin needle, the doctor injects a small amount of wrinkle relaxer into the depressor anguli oris muscle. Because this muscle no longer pulls downwards as strongly, the muscles that lift the corners of the mouth regain the upper hand. The result is subtle: your corners of the mouth become more neutral, without your face looking tight or unnatural. The treatment itself takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes.

Wrinkle relaxer or filler?

Which product is best suited depends on the cause. Sometimes this treatment is combined with a filler treatment of the corners of the mouth or marionette lines. Roughly speaking, the following applies:

  • Wrinkle relaxer: relaxes the downward muscle. Ideal when an overactive muscle pulls the corners of the mouth downwards.
  • Filler: replenishes lost volume and supports the corners of the mouth and the lines toward the chin. Suitable for volume loss and deeper marionette lines.
  • Combination: for many people, a combination of both gives the most natural result.

Our doctors can give you more advice on treating the corners of the mouth and draw up the plan together with you.


The treatment step by step

  1. Consultation: the doctor examines the corners of your mouth, discusses your wishes, and assesses muscle activity and volume.
  2. Preparation: the skin is cleansed. Anesthesia is usually not necessary because the injections are small.
  3. Treatment: the wrinkle relaxer is placed very precisely with a thin needle, optionally supplemented with a filler.
  4. Completion: You can go home or to work immediately. The treatment leaves no visible traces.

Result and shelf life

A wrinkle relaxer works gradually. You usually see the first change after three to seven days, and the full effect is visible after about two weeks. Your corners of the mouth will then appear more neutral, and your expression will look friendlier and more relaxed. The result lasts an average of three to four months. After that, the muscle slowly contracts again, and you can repeat the treatment. With a filler treatment, the volume effect is immediately visible and often lasts six to twelve months, depending on the product.

Benefits and points to consider

Benefits of a treatment of the corners of the mouth:

  • A subtle, natural result without surgery.
  • The treatment is brief, and you can immediately continue with your day afterward.
  • A friendlier appearance, while your facial expressions remain natural.

Points to consider:

  • The result is temporary, so repetition is necessary to maintain it.
  • The effect comes gradually and not immediately.
  • In cases of significant excess skin or severe sagging, a wrinkle relaxer alone is sometimes not sufficient.


Recovery and aftercare

After the treatment, you can immediately resume your daily activities. To support the result, we recommend the following:

  • Do not rub or massage the treated area for the first few hours.
  • Stay upright for the first four hours and do not lie flat.
  • Avoid intense exercise, the sauna, and the tanning bed for the first 24 hours.
  • Leave slight redness or a small bump alone; this usually goes away quickly.

If you have any questions after the treatment, you can always contact us.

Risks and side effects

Treatment of the corners of the mouth with a wrinkle relaxer is safe when performed by an experienced physician. Nevertheless, every needle treatment carries some mild and usually short-lived side effects:

  • Mild redness, swelling, or a small bruise at the injection site.
  • Temporarily a slightly sensitive or stiff mouth region.
  • There is rarely a temporary asymmetry in the smile if the wrinkle relaxer works slightly wider than intended; this corrects itself.

Because our doctors have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the oral region, they keep these risks as low as possible.

Who is the treatment suitable for?

This treatment is suitable for you if you are bothered by downward-pointing corners of the mouth, giving you a gloomy or dissatisfied appearance. It can also offer a solution if people often ask you if you are tired or grumpy even though you feel fine. The treatment is less suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in the case of certain muscle or nerve disorders, or if you have an allergy to the substance used. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss your health and expectations so that you receive honest advice regarding what is feasible.

Costs of the treatment

Treatment of the corners of the mouth with a wrinkle relaxer is available at Cosmopolitan Clinic starting from €95. The final price depends on the amount of product used and whether the treatment is combined with a filler. During the consultation, you will receive a clear price estimate in advance, so you will never face any surprises. This way, you know exactly what to expect before making a decision.

Why Cosmopolitan Clinic Amsterdam?

At Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam, everything revolves around a natural result that suits your face. Our treatments are performed by experienced, qualified doctors who know the mouth region inside out. We take the time to provide honest advice and treat only what is necessary, because subtlety is our top priority. This way, you leave our clinic with a fresher, friendlier appearance that is still entirely your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a wrinkle relaxer really lift sagging corners of the mouth?

Yes. By relaxing the muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downwards, the upward muscles gain more space, causing the corners of the mouth to sit more neutrally. The effect is subtle and natural.

What is the difference between drooping corners of the mouth and marionette lines?

Drooping corners of the mouth refer to the position of the corners of the mouth, while marionette lines are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin. They often occur together and are sometimes treated together.

Does the treatment hurt?

The injections are small, and most people experience at most a short, mild prick. Anesthesia is generally not necessary.

How quickly will I see results and how long will they last?

You will see the first change after three to seven days, the full effect after about two weeks. A wrinkle relaxer lasts on average three to four months.

How much does a treatment for the corners of the mouth cost?

Treatment is available from €95. You will always receive a clear price estimate in advance during the consultation.

Personal advice

Would you like to know if a treatment of the corners of the mouth is right for you? Our doctors can provide further advice on treating the corners of the mouth, taking your entire face into account. During a personal consultation, we will discuss your wishes and create a plan together. Schedule your consultation at Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam and discover what is possible.