Can A Lower Facelift Cure Angular Cheilitis?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve had angular chelitis for over 10 years. Ointments don’t cure this terrible condition. The corners of my lips turned downward and now I started drooling. I have crusting, bleeding..I can barely eat, talk or have dental procedures done. Is that possible to have a surgical procedure I heard about to removed the diseased tissues? I went to see cosmetic surgeon today who recommended a lower face lift for $50.000.

A: Despite the many benefits of a lower facelift, improving angular cheiltis is not one of them. Angular cheilitis has to be treated directly with excision of the diseased tissue possibly combined with a corner of mouth lift. It is possible  that if enough nasolabial fold tissue hands over the mouth corners that a lower facelift may have an adjunctive benefit with the mouth corner excison but I would need to see some pictures of your mouth area to make that determination.’

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon