Summary

• Asymmetrical lips are a common concern resulting in imbalanced proportions or shape
• Lip asymmetry can be caused by ageing, genetics, injury, or conditions such as cleft lip or facial palsy
• There are several non-surgical and surgical Lip Augmentation treatments available, including Lip Fillers, Lip Lift and Fat Transfer
• Cadogan Clinic, London’s team of Consultant Facial Surgeons are experts in Lip Augmentation, and provide industry-leading patient care and outcomes

What Are Asymmetrical Lips?

Asymmetrical lips, also known as uneven lips, are characterised by a noticeable difference in proportion or shape in the lips.

Cadogan Clinic, based in Chelsea, London, is the UK’s leading surgical centre of excellence, working with the UK’s best Consultant Facial Surgeons and Lip Augmentation specialists. 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the Clinic to their family and friends.

Both surgical and non-surgical lip procedures are increasingly popular, with the global Lip Augmentation market valued at £6.4 billion in 2022 and projected to increase to £11.61 billion by 2030.

As the lips are a central feature of the face and draw significant attention, individuals with lip asymmetry may feel self-conscious about their appearance, especially when speaking or smiling, which may be more visible in photographs. This can have a considerable impact on confidence in personal and professional environments and may affect quality of life and how an individual presents themselves.

Although asymmetrical lips are typically a cosmetic concern in themselves, the issue is often associated with a medical or functional cause and may require professional treatment by an experienced surgeon.

If you are concerned about the appearance of asymmetrical or uneven lips, and are interested in discussing the best solution, Cadogan Clinic’s team of specialist patient advisors are on hand to discuss your concerns and match you with the best Consultant Surgeon to meet your needs.

Asymmetrical lips are a common concern, often caused by functional or medical conditions, with wide-ranging impacts on confidence and comfort for many individuals.

Vertical vs Horizontal Lip Asymmetry

Asymmetrical lips can develop in different areas, resulting in changes to the shape and proportion of the lips and mouth.

Lip asymmetry is typically classified as vertical or horizontal (although an individual can be affected by both).

Vertical Lip Asymmetry

• The upper and lower lip are generally proportionate and balanced
• There is a visible difference between the right and left sides of the mouth

Horizontal Lip Asymmetry

• The right and left sides of the mouth are balanced and generally symmetrical
• There is a noticeable difference in the proportions or shape between the upper and lower lips

It is important to remember that no one’s face or facial features are naturally perfectly symmetrical. However, prominent differences in the proportions and balance of the lips can affect an individual's overall appearance and may impact their confidence. Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Facial Surgeons emphasise the importance of natural-looking results that flatter and balance with the rest of the face.

The placement of lip asymmetry may be connected to the underlying cause and may also influence the most suitable treatment plan to address the patient's concerns effectively.

Lip Asymmetry can show horizontally or vertically, affecting the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth in different ways.

What Causes Asymmetrical Lips?

Asymmetrical lips have many causes, and it is important to understand the reason that atypical lip shape or volume has arisen to establish the most suitable treatment plan.

In some cases, patients will be aware of the reason they have uneven lips, however, for other patients, a comprehensive surgeon assessment and diagnosis may be required to establish the relevant asymmetrical lip causes.

Asymmetrical lip causes may include:

Ageing

Along with the eyes and neck, the lips are one of the first areas of the face to show signs of ageing. This is due to their regular movement and different skin texture compared to the rest of the face.

As we age, collagen and elastin, proteins which provide structure and volume in the skin, break down and are produced more slowly. This can result in:

• A loss of volume, causing thin lips or changes in how the lips appear when smiling or speaking
• Fine lines and wrinkles, such as smoker’s lines
• Loss of structure around the mouth, causing downturned corners of the mouth

The way the lips are affected by ageing can have a significant effect on the overall face, exacerbating a prematurely aged appearance, affecting confidence and increasing self-consciousness.

Genetics

The appearance of facial features, including the lips, can be dramatically affected by genetics. Asymmetric lips caused by genetics will typically appear from birth, and are unlikely to have any wider medical implications, however, they may cause self-consciousness.

It is important to remember that it isn’t possible to know the impact genetics may have before a child is born, however, in cases where direct relatives have asymmetrical lips, it is more likely that the same traits will develop.

Cleft Lip

Cleft lip is a genetic condition which affects the shape and appearance of the lips, resulting in a split in the upper lip, which may extend to the roof of the mouth, known as a cleft palate.

Caused by developmental issues during pregnancy, a cleft lip is usually addressed in early childhood to prevent further medical issues from occurring. However, scarring and lip asymmetry may remain into adulthood and require further treatment.

Cleft lip varies in severity from a small opening in the upper lip, to two larger splits which extend into the back of the mouth. If left untreated, a cleft lip can cause concerns affecting eating, speaking, hearing, and dental development.

Lip Injury

The shape and proportions of the lips can be affected by facial injuries caused by a wide range of accidents and incidents.

Due to the lips being composed of a different type of skin to the rest of the face, combined with their defined border, scarring from injury is often more visible on the lips than it may be in other areas.

Even a small amount of lip scarring can have a dramatic effect on the shape of the lips, impacting confidence and increasing awareness of appearance.

Facial Palsy

Facial palsy is the weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, caused by nerve damage resulting from conditions such as stroke, infection, or facial injury.

Weakening of the facial muscles often causes a drop to one side of the face, often including lip asymmetry. Depending on the cause and severity of the facial palsy, there may be residual asymmetry once the underlying cause has been successfully treated.

Lip asymmetry caused by facial palsy can have a significant impact on comfort and confidence, especially when it is associated with a traumatic medical incident.

Asymmetric lips can arise from a number of causes, which may not be immediately obvious or explainable. A comprehensive assessment by a Consultant Facial Surgeon is the best way to establish the cause of lip asymmetry and to develop an effective treatment plan.

How to Fix Asymmetrical Lips?

Cadogan Clinic, based in Chelsea, London, specialises in surgical and non-surgical Lip Augmentation treatments and procedures that effectively address lip asymmetry.

Non-Surgical Asymmetrical Lip Correction

Non-surgical treatments for uneven lips offer an effective solution for lip concerns, without committing to a surgical procedure.

Lip Filler for Asymmetrical Lips

Lip Filler is a popular and effective treatment for a variety of concerns arising from asymmetric lips:

• Thin or disproportionate lips: Dermal Filler can be injected to increase volume and balance the appearance of the lips
• Scarring: Lip Filler can improve the appearance of scarring by smoothing uneven texture and restoring volume in areas where tissue has been lost
• Downturned corners: Injecting Lip Filler into the corners of the mouth provides structure to lift the corners and improve balance where required

Dermal Filler is consistently one of the most popular non-surgical treatments available. Between 2023 and 2024, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported a 5.2% increase in the number of facial Dermal Filler treatments being performed worldwide.

Your Consultant Plastic Surgeon will discuss whether Lip Filler for asymmetrical lips is a suitable treatment to address your concerns during your consultation. It is important to remember that Lip Filler is a temporary treatment, which requires follow-up appointments, typically every 12 months, to maintain the desired result.

Surgical Lip Augmentation

Surgical treatments for lip asymmetry are a popular option for patients seeking a permanent solution to their concerns.

Lip Lift

A Lip Lift is a surgical procedure which enhances the proportions and balance of the lips. It is typically a straightforward procedure that takes around an hour to complete under general anaesthetic. 

During a Lip Lift, small amounts of skin are removed from the area just above the upper lip or just below the lower lip, allowing the lip to be pulled outwards. Depending on the area of the lips treated, this has several benefits:

• Improved volume: As the lip is pulled slightly outwards, more lip becomes visible
• Lip balance: In cases where one lip is disproportionate to the other, a Lip Lift can improve the balance and proportions of the lips
• Border definition: A Lip Lift can improve the definition of the vermillion border around the lips, enhancing symmetry
• Lip corner asymmetry: To lift the corners of the lips, a small amount of skin is removed from the outer sides of the upper lip

Lip Lift is a popular surgery that can be combined with other procedures to enhance the overall result.

Results following a Lip Lift are often permanent, and many people who are concerned about lip asymmetry opt for a Lip Lift as a surgical alternative to Lip Fillers.

Facial Fat Transfer

Facial Fat Transfer is a surgical procedure which can address a wide range of lip asymmetry concerns.

Excess fat is extracted from various areas of the body using Liposuction, before being processed to remove impurities. The extracted fat is then injected into the lips for a wide range of benefits:

• Improved lip balance: In cases where the lips are out of proportion with each other, Fat Transfer can be performed to increase volume and balance the lips
• Regenerated scar tissue: The regenerative properties of Fat Transfer can be utilised to improve the texture of scarring, and regenerate areas affected by injury

Facial Fat Transfer is a relatively straightforward procedure, with the extraction, processing and injection being performed during the same surgery. It usually takes 60-90 minutes to complete, and is carried out under general anaesthetic.

Cadogan Clinic, London’s founder, Mr. Bryan Mayou first introduced Liposuction to the UK over 40 years ago, and the Clinic has continued to pioneer Liposuction and Fat Transfer techniques ever since to improve treatment options and outcomes for patients.

There is a wide range of treatment options to address lip asymmetry concerns. The best way to decide which is the best treatment for you is to speak with a qualified and experienced Consultant Facial Surgeon who can fully assess your needs.

Words From Our Founder