How to Fix Crooked Lips

Faces are naturally slightly asymmetrical; it’s part of the unique beauty we each possess. Although the imbalance is often hard to see or easy to disguise with makeup, this natural asymmetry is often most noticeable in the lips. For some people, however, asymmetry in the lips is more than slight, resulting in a condition called crooked lips.

Left untreated, imbalance in the lips is a frustrating cosmetic issue that can affect a person’s confidence. In severe cases, crooked lips can also lead to medical problems, including speech impediments or difficulty eating and drinking.

Fortunately, whether the goal is aesthetic or medical, several options for how to fix asymmetrical lips are available, many of which do not require surgery.

Do I Need Surgery to Fix Uneven Lips?

When it comes to fixing crooked lips, many people worry about the costs and risks. The most common surgical solution, a lip lift, has reason to cause concern on both fronts.

During this procedure, the lips are reshaped by either pulling skin back or adding fat to the area. This is more permanent options than non-surgical solutions. But it also costs several thousand dollars and means accepting the risks of surgery and planning for a lengthier recovery time after the procedure.

Lip lift is much more commonly done for cosmetic purposes, rather than medical/functional issues. The only scenario I can think of a “medical lip lift” is scarring or trauma to the lip, or skin cancer surgery and reconstruction. For most people, undergoing the risks and costs of a surgical lip lift is not necessary.

Both the surgical lip lift and non-surgical treatments are excellent options for lip rejuvenation and can sometimes complement each other. Speak to your provider about which option is the best fit for you.

Non-Surgical Options for Crooked Lips

There are two main options for how to fix uneven lips without surgery: neurotoxin injections, such as Botox®, and lip fillers, including Juvéderm® and Restylane®.

The Botox® Lip Flip

Using Botox® and other neurotoxin injections such as Dysport and Xeomin can help certain patients address uneven upper lips. With age, the upper lip may droop downward or curl with smiling, causing it to appear thinner in time.

The Botox® lip flip uses a cosmetic neurotoxin that has been approved by the Food Drug and Drug administration (FDA) to relax the muscles around the mouth that are responsible for pulling the lip downward, to help address the appearance of thinning or unevenness without surgery or filler.  With this said, lip flip results can be more subtle that those with dermal filler, so many patients opt to pursue a combination of Botox® lip flip treatment and lip filler in order to achieve their desired results.

By itself, the Botox® lip flip results last for about 2-4 months.

Injectable Fillers for Uneven Lips

Dermal fillers are the most common non-surgical solution to treat crooked lips or add lip volume, as the results are often more dramatic and more immediate than that of a Botox® lip flip. Some commonly used products when filling the lips include Juvéderm® Ultra and Restylane® Kysse, which are both hyaluronic acid-based fillers.

The type and amount of filler recommended to achieve your desired results will depend on an in-person consultation with a trained provider.  Results of dermal filler in the lips last up to a year.

How to Fix Uneven Lips at The Rejuva Center

Whether you are looking to add subtle change through a Botox® lip flip, or to add overall volume to your lips with a dermal filler, the professionals at The Rejuva Center at Williams in Albany, New York, can help find the right treatment plan for you.

We will start with a thorough assessment of your lips, discussion of your medical history, and evaluation of your desired results. Next, we will help formulate a treatment plan to treat crooked, uneven, or volume depleted lips in a lower-risk, non-surgical environment.

Call us today at 518-207-1526 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today.