WHAT CAUSES A LIP PTOSIS?

The muscles responsible for raising the lip are the:

• Zygomatic muscles
• Levator labii superioris
• Levator anguli superiororis
• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi

Therefore, if any of these elevating muscles are treated with botulinum toxin it will cause a lip ptosis.

The complaining patient will mention symptoms such as noticeable asymmetry (cases are mostly asymmetrical) on smiling, noticed by friends, family and colleagues. This is noticed quickly after treatment as a smile is a very prominent feature of a person.

The most effective way to diagnose a lip ptosis will almost always be from referencing back to your patient before photos. It is important to take these in a dynamic way, with the mouth smiling and relaxed. This is applicable for all toxin related procedures.

On assessing your patient clinically ask them to smile, look for asymmetry at the modiolus, upper lip line and nasolabial fold. The contrast of the upper lip against the teeth is usually a very easy way to diagnose a lip ptosis.

INJECTIONS RESPOSIBLE FOR CAUSING LIP PTOSIS

• Deep orbicularis oculi, same as with the cheek ptosis
• Injections intended to treat the bunny lines affecting the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle

A conservative dose around the alar base for the treatment of gummy smile should be adopted, 1-2 units is ample for first appointment, with the view to topping up at the patients two-week review, results for this area can be unpredictable.