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In the latest episode of “Anti-Aging Insights,” Dr. Teri Fisher delves into a revolutionary aesthetic treatment known as the Happy Face Treatment. Recently introduced at a conference hosted by Revanesse, this technique offers a promising solution for those battling the effects of time on the lower third of the face.

Dr. Fisher discusses the treatment’s focus on combating marionette lines and downturned oral commissures—common signs of aging that can inadvertently convey tiredness or sadness. With a foundation in precise anatomical understanding, the Happy Face Treatment promises not only a more youthful appearance but an uplifted expression.

The treatment begins with a comprehensive facial assessment to ensure suitability. The cornerstone of the Happy Face Treatment is a technique called subcision. Utilizing a cannula, Dr. Fisher expertly separates the skin from the depressor muscles, specifically the depressor anguli oris, which are responsible for mouth corners turning downward. By doing so, it creates space for dermal fillers to be placed accurately, reducing the effect of gravity on the face’s expression and achieving a smoother, more balanced look.

Dr. Fisher emphasizes minimal discomfort during the procedure, likening it to a gentle tugging or mild pinching sensation. Post-treatment, patients commonly experience minor bruising and tenderness, but the results—a subtle yet impactful transformation—continue to shine through. The lines soften, mouth corners lift, and overall facial expressions radiate positivity and confidence.

Closing with essential advice, Dr. Fisher highlights the importance of choosing a well-trained provider who prioritizes anatomy and safety for optimal outcomes. The Happy Face Treatment, with its nuanced blend of artistry and science, promises to enhance one’s natural beauty, offering a potential solution for those seeking to refresh and uplift their facial expressions. For more details or consultation, Dr. Fisher invites listeners to reach out via Instagram or his clinic.

Key Insights

• The Happy Face Treatment is designed to address downturned mouth corners and marionette lines, giving a more positive facial expression.
• This treatment involves a process called subcision, using a cannula to gently separate the skin from deeper muscles and allowing precise filler placement.
• The procedure balances structure and motion around the mouth without compromising natural facial expressions, creating subtle but impactful results.
• Common minor side effects include bruising and mild tenderness, with long-term benefits generally outweighing these inconveniences.
• Prospective patients are advised to choose providers who prioritize anatomy and safety, and to have realistic expectations regarding the natural enhancement from this treatment.

Episode Transcript

Dr. Teri Fisher: Hey there, welcome to Anti Aging Insights. As always, we are exploring the science, the art, and the philosophy behind aesthetic medicine. Today, I want to introduce you to a special treatment called the Happy Face Treatment. Now, this is a treatment that I had the pleasure of learning about just this past weekend when I was at a conference hosted by Revanesse. So, shout out to the Revanesse crowd. And this is a particular treatment that one of the speakers was speaking about. I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Frank Rosengaus, who was one of the speakers and is actually the person that first described this particular type of treatment. And so, this is a treatment all about how to get those downturned corners of the mouth a little bit more upturned so that they appear a little bit happier.

Now, I actually did a podcast episode on this topic only two weeks ago. But I was not aware of this particular technique and I think it’s a fantastic technique and I wanted to share with you today a little bit about this, and it is something that I think is wonderful when it comes to getting a little bit more of a happier expression on your face.

So we’re going to explore this particular treatment, the Happy Face Treatment, how it works, and why I think it’s actually a game changer for treating the marionette lines and that downward oral commissures as it is called. The marionette lines are the lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down towards the jowls and the oral commissures are the corners of the mouth, both the right and the left side.

So when you look in the mirror and you have a face staring back at you, as you know, our expressions reflect emotion, they reflect energy, and sometimes they even reflect our outlook on life. So what happens when those facial features start to convey a message that doesn’t match how we feel inside?

For many, the downward turning mouth corners and the deep marionette lines can project sadness or fatigue, even when we’re not necessarily feeling that way. And that’s where this particular treatment can come in.

So, let’s start with a little bit of context. The lower third of the face is an area that does take a real hit as we age. We see skin laxity, volume loss, repetitive muscle movement, they all play a part. And the result is that you can get these marionette lines and a downward pull at the corner of the mouth. And that’s what we call a depressed triangle. The happy face treatment addresses these head on. Think of it as a combination of modern artistry and precise anatomical understanding.

So what’s the objective here? Well, it’s really two things. To lift the corners of the mouth, the oral commissures, so that they’re either horizontal or slightly upturned, and create some even volume across the marionette lines themselves, otherwise known as the labial mandibular folds. And this restores balance, smoothness, and most importantly, happiness to the expression.

So now let’s get into the how. This particular treatment, as any other treatment, of course, begins with an assessment. Once we have done an assessment and we determine that this is the right treatment, the cornerstone of this technique is something called subcision. And it’s a procedure that uses a cannula, which is a thin blunt tipped tool, which we use all the time in general when we do filler treatments. But this particular treatment involves using that cannula, once it’s inserted, to gently separate the skin from the deeper structures like the depressor muscles, specifically a muscle called the depressor anguli oris. These muscles pull down the corners of the mouth, and when you free the overlying skin from this deeper musculature, you create a space for the filler and you get less of that downward pull. It’s like clearing a path before you lay down the fresh pavement, the smooth filler that is then perfectly placed in that area.

So here’s a fun fact. Did you know that muscles around your mouth outnumber those in the upper half of your face? That’s why addressing the dynamics in this area requires an in-depth understanding of anatomy. With over 10 muscles influencing movement here, the happy face treatment balances structure and motion without compromising the natural facial expressions.

So let me paint a little bit of a visual for you. Picture a triangle drawn below each corner of the mouth, a so-called sub commissural triangle, so just underneath the corners. During this treatment, these areas are pre-marked, and the cannula is inserted gently to perform this subcision. The precision here ensures that there’s minimal risk to underlying structures, and also, it’s relatively comfortable. When we do this, that area, whenever we use cannulas, it’s generally a comfortable procedure. I’m not saying there’s 100 percent no discomfort, but it is very tolerable, and it most likely feels a little bit like some tugging, or a little bit of pinching.

Let’s talk about results, because that’s what this is all about. Patients often describe this transformation as subtle, but yet really impactful as well. What happens is the lines are softened, the corners of the mouth are lifted, and the overall expression tends to radiate positivity. So imagine going from this perpetually sad face to one that can reflect your happiness, your joy. It’s like a confidence boost.

And then as for side effects, they’re usually very minor. There can be some bruising, maybe a little bit of mild tenderness for a couple of days. But generally speaking, the long term benefits far outweigh these inconveniences.

So if this is something that you’re considering or of course any other aesthetic procedure, my top tips for you are to choose a provider who prioritizes anatomy and safety, be realistic about outcomes, the happy face treatment enhances your natural beauty rather than creating a dramatic, unnatural change. And then follow the post care instructions so that we can optimize results and minimize the recovery time.

So there you have it. The Happy Face Treatment. It’s a blend of science and art designed to lift the corners of your mouth and also lift your spirits. If you’ve been struggling with marionette lines or downturned oral commissures, this might be the solution for you. So feel free to get in touch with me. As always, feel free to drop me a line on Instagram at DrTeriFisher or of course at our clinic. I will speak to you again really soon. Until then, take care.