How to Fix Your Lower Third: Lip Volume, Tooth Show, and Philtrum Length

[Sihveri]

If your lower third still looks weird even after jaw gains, chances are it’s not your mandible. It’s the soft tissue. Most people overlook this stuff, but if you dial it in, your entire face changes, especially from front and 3/4.

Here’s exactly what to focus on and what to do about it.

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Lip Volume (Upper Lip Especially)​

Forget duck lips. You don’t need huge lips — just enough volume so your upper lip isn’t paper-thin and doesn't disappear when you smile.

Why it matters:

• Thin lips = older look
• Flat lips = midface looks collapsed
• Full lips improve harmony with the nose and jaw

How to fix:

• Subtle filler (0.5–1 ml max): Only if you're actually lacking volume. Don’t touch the lower lip unless it’s super imbalanced.
• Derma rolling: Use 0.25–0.5mm needle around the lips 1–2x a week. It helps collagen and circulation.
• Topical niacin or peppermint balm: Short-term plumping. Not a long-term solution but good for testing the look.
• Lip exercises: Mostly cope, but doing things like saying "O" and holding tension in the lip can help with posture and symmetry.

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Teeth Show at Rest​

If you’re not showing upper teeth when your face is relaxed, you automatically look more tired or older.

Ideal range = ~2–4mm upper incisor exposure with a relaxed face.
Too much = horse smile.
Too little = “dead mouth.”

How to improve it:

• Lip lift (bullhorn): If you have a long philtrum and no tooth show, this is the surgical solution. Increases upper tooth show and lip volume at the same time.
• Smile training: Learn to hold a very slight "half-smile" resting face. Sounds stupid but it works over time.
• Lip taping at night: Keeps the lips sealed and posture tight. Helps with appearance over time.
• Mewing (correct tongue posture): Can slightly rotate the maxilla forward, improving support under the upper lip (long term only).

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Philtrum Length​

This is one of the biggest age signals on your face. If your philtrum is long, it drags your whole lower face down, reduces lip exposure, and kills incisor show.

Ideal length = ~11–13mm
Above 14.5mm = starts to look off
Above 16mm = surgical territory

How to fix it:

• Measure it: From base of your nose to top of upper lip. Use a ruler, compare to average.
• Lip lift: The only reliable fix. Shortens philtrum, boosts lip show, improves Ricketts E-line sometimes.
• Nose tip rotation (in combo cases): Sometimes paired with lip lift for max effect if your columella hangs too low.

Important: don’t bother with philtrum “exercises” — they're cope. No gum massage or tongue hacks will meaningfully shorten soft tissue length.

Final Notes:​

Don’t chase jaw angles without fixing this stuff. You’ll end up with a weird contrast between a sharp lower border and a sunken upper lip area.


Yeah that’s pretty much all, hopefully it helped. Bump it with a dnrd if u didin’t read

 

[MaracasMogs]

Hope it's not chatgpt

 

[Sihveri]

Hope it's not chatgpt

Trust