When looking in the mirror, if your lips seem to have gotten thinner or the corners of your mouth look droopy, you naturally find yourself typing "lip fillers" into the search bar. Then, reviews for "lip corner fillers" and "lip corner Botox" pop up together, making all three look like very similar procedures. However, once you actually go for a consultation, you'll find that recommendations on which treatment to get and where vary, and you realize that despite the similar names, they are actually different procedures.

To put it briefly, these three procedures target different areas and work on entirely different principles. Lip fillers add volume to the lips themselves, lip corner fillers fill in the deep folds next to sagging lip corners, and lip corner Botox relaxes the muscles* that pull the corners of the mouth downward. Even though they all address concerns "around the mouth," the right treatment choice depends on exactly where the changes have occurred.

Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO) muscle*: This is the muscle that runs from the corners of the mouth down to the jawline. When this muscle is overly active, it pulls the corners of the mouth downward, making them look droopy.

Lip fillers add volume to the lips themselves

Lip fillers involve injecting hyaluronic acid filler between the inner mucosal layer and the dermis of the lips to enhance their thickness and projection. This is highly recommended for those whose upper lips have thinned out and seem to disappear, or whose lower lips look flat. The typical volume used is around 0.5 to 1cc, and the results last about 6 to 12 months.

However, if the drooping corners of your mouth are not caused by a lack of lip volume, your corners will remain droopy even after getting lip fillers. This can leave the newly volumized lips and the sagging corners looking disconnected and unnatural.

Lip corner fillers fill in the folds next to them

With age, deep folds (marionette lines) tend to form next to the corners of the mouth. As these folds deepen, the lip corners look relatively lower. Lip corner fillers fill in these very folds, lifting the lip corners so they don't sink into the creases.

Depending on the depth of the folds, it is common to distribute about 0.5 to 1cc inside the creases, with results lasting 6 to 12 months. If the folds are not too deep, even 0.3cc on each side can smooth them out beautifully. This procedure solely refines the area around the lip corners, independent of the lips themselves.

Lip corner Botox relaxes the downward-pulling muscles

If the Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO) muscle is overdeveloped, it constantly pulls the corners of the mouth downward, making them look perpetually droopy. Lip corner Botox involves injecting a small amount of Botox into this muscle to reduce its activity and weaken that downward pull. As a result, the corners of the mouth naturally appear lifted.

Results become visible 3 to 5 days after the treatment and last for about 3 to 4 months. Since the dosage is quite small—usually 2 to 4 units per side—it is the most budget-friendly option. However, for those with deep folds, Botox alone may yield minimal changes, which is why it is often paired with lip corner fillers.

Which category do you fall into?

Lip corner Botox is perfect for those whose mouth corners are clearly pulled downward even when their face is completely resting. If you try to gently lift the corners of your mouth to the sides in front of a mirror and feel a subtle downward resistance from the muscle, that is a sign of DAO hyperactivity.

Lip corner fillers are ideal for those who have shadow-like folds next to their lip corners. If you shine a light from the side, the shadow will appear distinct. Lip fillers, on the other hand, are suitable for those whose lips have thinned and seem to fade away, and should be considered separately from lifting the corners. If you have all three concerns, a combination of Botox + filler is highly recommended.

This article is for general informational purposes. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, please consult with a doctor who can personally examine the structure around your mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I get all three treatments on the same day?

A. In many cases, yes, but some clinics prefer to split them into two sessions to manage the volume and ensure a comfortable recovery. Since lip corner Botox shows results in 3 to 5 days, getting it alongside fillers may mean the final outcomes are evaluated at slightly different times.

Q. If I get lip corner fillers and lip fillers together, won't it look like too much volume?

A. Since they target different areas, the volume doesn't feel cumulative. However, your doctor may suggest splitting the treatments into two sessions with smaller amounts each time.

Q. What if the results of my lip corner Botox are barely noticeable?

A. If you have low DAO muscle activity to begin with, Botox alone will produce very little change. In this case, lip corner fillers or other treatments may be more suitable for you.

Recommended Reading

• Is it okay to get Botox and fillers on the same day?

• For a short chin, when to choose 1cc fillers vs. Botox

• Which medications and supplements should I stop before getting Botox/fillers?

• If the corners of your mouth droop even without any expression, check this first