Table of contents

• The Medical Solutions: A Detailed Procedural Breakdown
• The South Korean Medical Tourism Journey
• Best Clinics in Korea for Downturned Mouth
• Financial Analysis and Global Cost Comparison
• Patient Outcomes: The Transformation Beyond the Mirror
• References

Considering treatment in Korea? Everything you need to know e.g. — how to avoid scams, visas, interpreters, recovery tips — in our Medical Tourism Master Guide. Plan with confidence in minutes, not weeks!

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The Causes of a Downturned Mouth: Beyond the Surface

A downturned mouth occurs when the corners of the lips angle downward at rest, often creating an expression mistaken for sadness, displeasure, or anger. The underlying cause involves the overactivity of the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscles, which pull the corners downward, overpowering the weaker muscles responsible for lifting them. This imbalance—an "agonist/antagonist" relationship—lies at the heart of the condition.

Age is a major factor, as collagen and elastin break down over time, reducing skin firmness and elasticity. Gravity also causes facial tissues to descend, and the loss of fat in the cheeks and jaw further weakens mouth support. Genetics can make some people more susceptible, but sun exposure, smoking, poor nutrition, and repetitive facial expressions like frequent frowning compound the effects by strengthening the DAO and worsening the appearance.

The Patient's Experience: From “Permafrown” to Social Anxiety

Living with a downturned mouth goes beyond physical appearance; it has a profound psychological and social impact. Many people with this feature find they're often misunderstood, with others perceiving them as sad, angry, or tired regardless of their true feelings. Dubbed names like "permafrown," "resting frown face," or "resting bitch face" reflect this experience. Constant questions from others can erode self-confidence and complicate social interactions, making this more than a cosmetic concern—it’s about aligning outward expression with inner emotion.

Distinguishing a Downturned Mouth from Marionette Lines

While a downturned mouth and marionette lines may coexist and share similar causes, they differ in key ways. The downturned mouth stems mainly from muscle imbalance, while marionette lines result from skin laxity and loss of facial volume, leading to vertical creases running from the mouth corners to the chin. Addressing only one issue may yield incomplete results; for optimal improvement, it’s crucial to relax the DAO muscles for the mouth and use dermal fillers for marionette lines.

	Downturned Mouth	Marionette Lines
Primary Cause	Muscle activity and volume loss, especially an overactive DAO muscle	Skin laxity and volume depletion causing vertical creases
Primary Feature	Mouth corners angle downward at rest	Wrinkles from mouth corners to chin
Typical Treatment	DAO relaxation with botulinum toxin or surgical lifting	Dermal fillers to restore lost volume

The Medical Solutions: A Detailed Procedural Breakdown

Surgical Correction: The Corner Mouth Lift

The Corner Mouth Lift, sometimes called the Corner Lip Lift, is a permanent surgical technique that lifts the mouth corners by removing a small amount of tissue and elevating the commissures. Ideal for older patients with significant skin laxity, the procedure is performed in-office and allows scars to be hidden within natural facial wrinkles. It's suitable for those seeking a permanent improvement and for whom fillers are insufficient or unsuitable.

However, as with any surgery, the Corner Mouth Lift has risks, including scarring, asymmetry, over- or undercorrection, infection, nerve injury, and swelling. Recovery involves typical swelling and bruising, which subside in a few weeks. Patients are advised to keep their heads elevated, avoid strenuous activity, and minimize mouth movement early on. Sutures are generally removed within 5 to 10 days.

Non-Surgical Correction: The Mouth Corner Lift with Botox

The Mouth Corner Lift using botulinum toxin (Botox®, Dysport®, or Xeomin®) offers a non-surgical route by targeting the DAO muscle. Carefully placed injections relax this muscle, allowing other muscles to lift the mouth corners for a more neutral or positive expression. The process is quick—about 15-20 minutes—with effects showing in a week and lasting 2-5 months, after which follow-up treatments maintain the look.

It's vital to distinguish this from the "Botox Lip Flip," which targets the orbicularis oris muscle to subtly turn out the upper lip for a fuller appearance, ideal for those with a thin upper lip or a "gummy smile." Each approach addresses different aesthetic goals.

Patients favor the non-surgical option for its ease and minimal downtime. Side effects—such as mild bruising, redness, or swelling—are usually short-lived, but rare issues like unintended temporary muscle weakness can occur. Post-procedure care is straightforward: avoid heavy activity and touching or lying on the treated area soon after injections.

The South Korean Medical Tourism Journey

Best Clinics in Korea for Downturned Mouth

Listed below are the best clinics in Korea for downturned mouth:

Clinic Name	Key Features	Special Techniques
Hev Clinic	Dermatologist-led clinic offering advanced skin lifting and regenerative treatments; focus on skin health, rejuvenation, and natural-looking results; board-certified dermatologists participate in domestic and international academic societies; safe, personalized care based on precise skin analysis and expert consultation	Botox and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers; Ultherapy, Thermage, and InMode lifting devices; Rejuran, Juvelook, Profhilo, PRP; Sculptra
Reone Dermatology Website	Physician-led, highly personalized treatment plans in a private, premium setting; focuses on both muscle pull and tissue laxity that create a “sad” oral commissure; combines precision injectables (such as Botox to relax overactive depressor muscles that drag the corners of the mouth downward, plus collagen boosters and skin boosters to restore supportive firmness and hydration around the lower face) with contour-balancing strategies tailored to your chin and jawline; for skin laxity, layers lifting technologies Ultherapy PRIME, Sofwave, and Thermage FLX; when additional mechanical lift is needed, thread lifting with Silhouette Soft can reposition tissue	Botox; collagen boosters; skin boosters; Ultherapy PRIME; Sofwave; Thermage FLX; Silhouette Soft thread lifting
Girin Plastic Surgery Website	Comprehensive aesthetic clinic offering both surgical and non-surgical treatments; emphasis on safety, professionalism, and patient satisfaction; led by prestigious plastic surgeons; customizable options from minimally invasive injectables to lifting-focused procedures; planning according to facial structure and aesthetic goals	Botox; Filler; Skin Booster; Ulthera; Inmode; Oligio; AirJet; Mini Facelift; Facelift

Hev Clinic

Hev Dermatology Clinic in Sinsa is a dermatologist-led clinic specializing in advanced skin lifting and regenerative treatments, offering medical and cosmetic dermatology focused on skin health, rejuvenation, and natural-looking results. The clinic’s board-certified dermatologists actively participate in domestic and international academic societies and provide safe, personalized care based on precise skin analysis and expert consultation—an important foundation when planning treatments for concerns such as a downturned mouth.

For downturned mouth correction, Hev Clinic offers options that can be tailored to facial anatomy and movement patterns, including Botox and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, as well as lifting devices such as Ultherapy, Thermage, and InMode to support lower-face contour and skin firmness. Regenerative and skin-quality treatments such as Rejuran, Juvelook, Profhilo, PRP, and collagen-stimulating injectables like Sculptra may also be considered to enhance overall tissue quality. All procedures are performed responsibly by the same attending dermatologist from consultation to completion, ensuring consistency, safety, and trust.

You can check out their website here: Hev Clinic Website

Reone Dermatology

Reone Dermatology in Cheongdam stands out as a top choice in Korea for correcting a downturned mouth because it delivers physician-led, highly personalized treatment plans in a private, premium setting, focusing on both the muscle pull and the tissue laxity that create a “sad” oral commissure. Depending on your anatomy, the clinic can combine precision injectables (such as Botox to relax overactive depressor muscles that drag the corners of the mouth downward, plus collagen boosters and skin boosters to restore supportive firmness and hydration around the lower face) with contour-balancing strategies tailored to your chin and jawline. For patients whose downturned mouth is worsened by skin laxity, Reone can layer lifting technologies like Ultherapy PRIME (to target deeper structural support), Sofwave (to stimulate mid-dermal collagen with minimal downtime), and Thermage FLX (to tighten and refine texture through radiofrequency remodeling). When additional mechanical lift is needed, thread lifting with Silhouette Soft can reposition tissue while encouraging collagen formation for progressive improvement. By integrating lifting, tightening, and subtle facial contouring under expert medical oversight, Reone Dermatology can create natural-looking mouth-corner elevation that harmonizes with the entire lower face rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all fix.

Find more about this clinic here: Reone Dermatology Website

Girin Plastic Surgery

Girin Plastic Surgery, located near Gangnam Station, is a comprehensive aesthetic clinic in Korea offering both surgical and non-surgical treatments with a strong emphasis on safety, professionalism, and patient satisfaction. Led by some of Korea’s most prestigious plastic surgeons, Girin is well-suited for patients concerned about a downturned mouth because it provides multiple, customizable options that can support a more balanced and refreshed lower-face impression, from minimally invasive injectables to lifting-focused procedures—planned according to each patient’s facial structure and aesthetic goals.

• Prime location near Gangnam Station for convenient access in Seoul
• Led by prestigious, experienced Korean plastic surgeons focused on safe and satisfactory outcomes
• Broad non-surgical options that can be considered when addressing a downturned mouth look:
  • Botox to manage wrinkle-related expressions and support a smoother perioral appearance
  • Filler to restore volume and improve facial contour balance
  • Skin Booster to enhance skin texture and hydration for a healthier overall look
• Lifting-focused treatments that can complement concerns around lower-face aging that may accentuate mouth downturn:
  • Ulthera, Inmode, Oligio, and AirJet for non-invasive tightening and rejuvenation
  • Mini Facelift or Facelift options for patients seeking more significant lifting and contour refinement
• Truly “one-stop” planning: the clinic’s extensive lineup (from facial contouring to lifting and skin treatments) makes it easier to build a tailored approach rather than relying on a single method

Find more about this clinic here: Girin Plastic Surgery Website

A Step-by-Step Patient Guide for South Korea

South Korea stands out as a premier destination for cosmetic surgery, especially for international patients. Here’s a typical process:

Step 1: Research begins online, identifying reputable clinics and surgeons, often with video consultations to discuss goals and costs and to review medical records—typically over 2-4 weeks.
Step 2: Secure a C-3 tourist visa, book flights and accommodation, and consider arranging airport pick-up with the clinic. A stay of 10-14 days is recommended for recovery and follow-up.
Step 3: An in-person consultation finalizes the surgical plan. On procedure day, patients follow pre-op instructions; surgeries like the Corner Mouth Lift often take under an hour.
Step 4: Post-procedure, patients remain in Korea for initial aftercare, receiving regular check-ups and assistance with healing. Strict adherence to recovery protocols minimizes complications.
Step 5: Once sufficiently healed, patients are discharged, given detailed recovery instructions, and often provided with remote follow-up options.

How to Vet and Select a Reputable Clinic in South Korea

Choosing a properly qualified plastic surgeon is essential for safety and a successful result. Surgeons should be certified by organizations such as the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS) and the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons (KAPS). Don’t rely solely on a clinic’s signage; instead, confirm that the surgeon's credentials specify board-certified training in plastic surgery and active membership in official societies.

Beware of clinics where the credentials reference "aesthetic surgery" or "international aesthetic surgery" without specifying plastic surgery licensure, as these may not meet the same rigorous standards. Accredited medical tourism agencies can help ensure a smooth and safe process by matching patients with vetted, qualified surgeons and providing multilingual support.

Financial Analysis and Global Cost Comparison

Costs of Procedures in South Korea

South Korea’s blend of quality and competitive pricing draws medical tourists worldwide:

• Surgical Corner Mouth Lift: $1,500 - $2,500, usually including consultation, surgery, and basic aftercare.
• Mouth Corner Lift with Botox: Typically $100 - $200, varying with location, provider, and the amount of botulinum toxin; top clinics may charge up to $1,200.

South Korea’s Value Proposition: Cost, Expertise, and Innovation

While some countries like Mexico offer surgical lip lifts at lower rates (from $600), South Korea justifies its slightly higher costs with advanced techniques, renowned expertise, and a continuous commitment to innovation. Korean clinics are recognized for systematic approaches, highly developed protocols, and refined techniques, resulting in more predictable and lasting results—especially for procedures like the Botox Mouth Corner Lift.

Country	Lip Augmentation / Lip Lift	Mouth Corner Lift Botox
South Korea	$1,500 - $4,600	$100 - $1,200
United States	$2,000 - $6,500	Not specified
United Kingdom	$2,600 - $6,500	Not specified
Mexico	$600 - $1,050	Not specified
Turkey	$2,125 - $2,694	Not specified
Thailand	$500 - $3,157	Not specified
Dubai	$1,634 - $2,722	Not specified

The Total Cost of the Journey

Medical tourism budgets extend beyond procedure fees. Flights to Seoul range from $600 to $1,500, while mid-range hotels are $100-$200 per night and upscale options run higher. Local transport is economical ($1–$2 per subway or bus ride), and meals can be as low as $5–$10 for casual dining. Additional costs like insurance or shopping should also be considered in overall planning.

Patient Outcomes: The Transformation Beyond the Mirror

Surgical Patient Outcomes and Testimonials

Patients who choose the surgical Corner Mouth Lift frequently report high satisfaction, describing improvements in their smiles and greater overall happiness with their appearance. Many highlight feeling more approachable and looking naturally happier. The procedure is often combined with others—for example, rhinoplasty or facelift—for even more balanced and harmonious results.

Non-Surgical Patient Experiences and Reviews

Those opting for the Mouth Corner Lift with Botox often express relief from social burdens, as their "resting frown face" finally disappears. Friends and colleagues may notice a fresh new look but can’t always identify the change, leading to compliments and subtle confidence boosts in social and professional interactions.

Psychological Impact: The Unseen Benefits

Correcting a downturned mouth offers more than aesthetic improvement—it can disrupt the cycle where negative expressions lead to negative social feedback, eroding self-image. Restoring a neutral or positive resting face not only changes others' perceptions but also enhances self-confidence and emotional well-being, creating a powerful synergy between inner feeling and outward expression.

References

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