If you’ve ever noticed that one side of your face looks or moves differently from the other, you’re not alone.
It’s incredibly common to have an asymmetrical face – in fact, everyone has some degree of unevenness in their features, and often it even adds to a person’s character and appearance.
It’s also very common for asymmetries to develop over time, which is why it might be something you’re suddenly noticing now, and wondering how you missed it before.
Most of the time, facial asymmetry is completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if it appears suddenly, becomes very pronounced, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as speech slurring or numbness, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
The rest of the time, it’s just a natural part of being human. But if your facial asymmetries are affecting your confidence, the good news is that there are effective ways to address them without the need for invasive surgery.
An important starting point is understanding what might be causing or contributing to your facial asymmetry, so we’ll cover everything below – from its causes to how to check for asymmetries, to your non-surgical correction options.
What is facial asymmetry?
Facial asymmetry simply means the two sides of your face aren’t perfect mirror images of each other.
Everyone has some degree of asymmetry. Often it’s barely noticeable unless you closely scrutinize your face, whereas other times it can be more obvious.
Common types of facial asymmetry include:
- One eyebrow being higher than the other.
- One eye appearing larger than the other.
- A crooked nose or jawline.
- A lopsided smile.
Sometimes these differences are more noticeable when your face is moving, whereas others are more noticeable at rest.
How to tell if your face is asymmetrical
If you feel like something is a little off balance on your face but can’t quite put your finger on it, the simplest way to check is to look at your face straight on and with a neutral expression – either in a mirror or a photo – and carefully look at whether your features line up evenly.
You might spot differences in eyebrow height, eye shape or size, the angle of your nose or jaw, or how your lips sit both at rest and when smiling.
Useful tips for checking include:
- Hold a ruler to your face while looking in the mirror.
- Print out a photo and draw lines down and across key areas.
- Hold a mirror halfway across the face to see each side reflected independently.
- Find an app that analyzes your face for symmetry.
Just remember – perfect symmetry is extremely rare. Small differences are completely normal, and often something that other people don’t even notice.
Asymmetry should only be a concern if it’s something that’s noticeable enough to truly bother you and is affecting your confidence.
What causes facial asymmetry?
Facial asymmetry usually isn’t caused by one single thing. It’s normally the result of a few different factors working together over time – some you’re born with, and others that develop gradually as your face moves, ages, and changes.
Genetics
Genetics and natural bone structure play the biggest role. Most faces aren’t built as perfect mirror images, so it’s perfectly normal to have some asymmetry. And just as you inherit many of your features from your parents or family line, the same goes for inheriting asymmetrical features.
These structural differences are usually present from birth, even if you don’t notice them until later in life, as your face matures and changes.
Muscle use and facial movement
Your facial muscles respond to how you use them. Over time, certain repeated movements and habits can subtly influence how balanced the face looks.
This might include movements like:
- Favouring one side of the mouth when chewing.
- Clenching or grinding the teeth.
- Raising one eyebrow or other movements of expression.
These patterns don’t drastically change facial structure, but they can contribute to uneven muscle tone, wrinkle patterns, and subtle differences in facial shape over time.
Aging
Aging is one of the most common reasons people start to notice facial asymmetry.
As we age, the face loses volume, skin support softens, and bone structure gradually changes. These changes don’t happen evenly on both sides, so any natural differences you already have can become more visible over time.
This is why facial asymmetry often feels more noticeable in your 30s, 40s, or beyond – not because something new has suddenly appeared, but because the face no longer has the same level of support to disguise it.
Dental work
Tooth extractions, veneers, dentures, or other types of dental work can all affect how the muscles around your mouth look, and sometimes even how they move. This can affect the shape of your lower face – both immediately after a dental procedure, or over time.
Injury, trauma, or scarring
Previous injuries to the face – including fractures, surgery, or significant scarring – can contribute to asymmetry. Even if the injury happened years ago, its effects can become more noticeable as the face changes with age.
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can also lead to facial asymmetry. For example, a stroke or Bell’s palsy can affect facial muscles and movement. While the immediate medical issue is the priority, these conditions can sometimes leave lasting asymmetry once recovery has stabilised.
Sleeping habits
Sleeping position is often mentioned as a cause of facial asymmetry, but it’s important to put this into perspective.
Sleeping on one side doesn’t change facial bone structure or create major asymmetry on its own. However, consistently sleeping on the same side can have an impact, as repeated pressure on the skin can contribute to fine lines, skin compression, and subtle changes in the soft tissues of the face, which may make one side look slightly flatter or less defined. These effects are usually mild, but they can contribute to the appearance of asymmetry.
Non-surgical facial asymmetry correction options
The good news is that for most people, facial asymmetry can be improved without surgery.
Non-surgical treatments focus on supporting facial structure, rebalancing muscle activity, and restoring harmony to the face – not on making it “perfectly symmetrical.”
The most effective non-surgical treatments for facial asymmetry correction are:
Dermal fillers
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are one of the most commonly used tools for facial asymmetry correction because they can be placed very precisely to support and rebalance facial features.
Rather than simply adding volume, fillers are often used to:
- Add shape and strengthen a recessed or uneven chin.
- Balance one side of the jawline to better match the other.
- Support the cheeks to lift and balance the mid-face.
- Subtly straighten the appearance of a nose by smoothing uneven contours.
- Even out lip shape or provide support around the mouth.
In many cases, small, carefully placed amounts are enough to create noticeable balance — sometimes without treating the area that first caught your attention.
Botox
Neurotoxins such as Botox or Dysport are helpful when facial asymmetry is caused by muscle activity rather than structure.
They work by relaxing muscles that may be stronger or more active on one side of the face, which can help:
- Soften a brow that lifts higher on one side.
- Reduce a stronger jaw muscle to improve lower-face symmetry.
- Ease facial tension from clenching or grinding.
- Improve uneven movement when smiling.
By adjusting how muscles pull and move, Botox can help the face look more balanced both at rest and in expression.
Biostimulators (Sculptra and Radiesse)
Biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse work differently from traditional fillers. Instead of adding instant volume, they stimulate your body’s natural collagen production over time.
They’re often used when asymmetry is linked to:
- Loss of support in the lower face.
- Uneven jawline definition.
- Gradual hollowing that’s made one side look less structured.
By improving underlying support, biostimulators can help restore symmetry in a gradual, natural-looking way.
Skin-tightening treatments
Skin-tightening treatments, such as laser treatments or a PDO thread lift, can also play a role when skin laxity is contributing to asymmetry. By improving firmness and support, they can help reduce unevenness without adding volume.The best treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your asymmetries and the results you’re hoping to achieve, so a personalized consultation is always necessary to decide on the best treatment plan. In many cases, a combination of treatments delivers the best result.
If your facial asymmetry is strongly linked to dental issues or bite or jaw alignment, dental or orthodontic treatment might be worth exploring as part of a solution. And in more severe or structural cases, surgical options might need to be considered.
But most of the time, and for the majority of people, the non-surgical treatments mentioned above are enough to correct asymmetries and give you back your confidence.
Asymmetrical face corrections at BodyTonic
At BodyTonic Cleveland, we know how important it is to feel confident when you look in the mirror, and our skilled practitioners are experienced at helping to restore balance and improve symmetry through non-invasive treatments like fillers, botox, and other skin rejuvenating treatments.
We don’t just correct facial asymmetry in isolation. We assess your whole face, taking facial anatomy, movement, and overall facial balance into account, and recommend the treatments and injection sites that will best restore youthful harmony to your face.
The goal is never to chase perfection, but to restore balance in a way that still looks like you. We’ll always be honest about what can be improved, what can be softened, and what’s best left alone.
If facial asymmetry is something that’s been bothering you, come and see us for a consultation – we’ll help you understand what’s causing it, and which non-surgical correction options are right for you.
Book a consultation today and find out how we can help.
FAQs about facial asymmetry
Is facial asymmetry normal?
Yes – completely. Almost everyone has some degree of facial asymmetry. It’s a normal part of how faces develop and change over time.
Is facial asymmetry ever dangerous?
In most cases, no. Facial asymmetry is usually only a cosmetic issue, and is completely harmless. However, if asymmetry appears suddenly, worsens quickly, or is linked to other symptoms, it may indicate a medical condition such as a stroke or Bell’s palsy and should be checked by a doctor immediately.
What are the different types of facial asymmetry?
Facial asymmetry can be structural (bone-related), muscular, or soft-tissue-based. Many people have a combination of all three.
Can an asymmetrical face be fixed naturally?
You can’t change bone structure naturally, but managing muscle tension, skin health, and lifestyle factors can help reduce how noticeable your facial asymmetry becomes.
Can sleeping on one side cause facial asymmetry?
Consistently sleeping on one side can sometimes lead to subtle facial asymmetries due to the repeated compression of the skin and soft tissues on that side of the face.
What are the best non-surgical treatments for an asymmetrical face?
The best treatments for facial asymmetry depend on the cause and the severity. But dermal fillers, Botox, and skin-tightening treatments are generally the non-surgical correction options that give the best results.
What is the golden ratio for facial symmetry?
The golden ratio is sometimes used as a reference point in facial aesthetics, but it isn’t a strict rule. Facial balance and harmony matter far more than mathematical symmetry.
