How to Fix Facial Asymmetry & Make Your Face Look More Balanced

Everyone’s face is at least slightly asymmetrical, and while it’s nothing to be embarrassed of, you may want to do something to make your face look more symmetrical. In this article, we’ve gathered all the best natural and non-surgical ways to improve your facial symmetry, as well as surgical procedures for more permanent results. Plus, find out what causes facial asymmetry and whether it’s normal for your face to be asymmetrical.

How do you improve facial symmetry?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Asif Pirani, MD, says you can use Botox or filler to improve facial symmetry. For a natural option, try facial exercises like eyebrow raises, cheek lifts, and jawline exercises. Or, contour your face with makeup or style your hair in a way that disguises your asymmetry.

Section 1 of 7:

Natural Ways to Make Your Face More Symmetrical

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1
Use makeup to make your face look more symmetrical. Wearing makeup is a great way to temporarily cover your facial asymmetry. If you wear makeup, play around with light and shadows. After applying your foundation, contour any asymmetrical areas on your face, paying special attention to the sides of your nose, your jawline, and under your cheekbones. This will help shape and define your face. Use products like bronzer, highlighter, and/or concealer to achieve your desired look.^{[1]
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- For example, if you want to make your eyes look closer together to make your face more symmetrical, makeup artist Anjuli Yera says, “Drag your inner corner eyeliner a bit closer to your midline, creating a peak or fine point. Continue the liner into the lower lash line from the inner corner out. Repeat on the other eye’s inner corner to create a symmetrical appearance on both inner corners.”^{[2]
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  Anjuli Yera, MD
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Do facial exercises to strengthen muscles in your face. Strengthening your facial muscles can improve your overall facial balance. Different facial exercises target different areas, so focus on exercises that target the area you want to make more symmetrical. Do these exercises regularly to improve your facial symmetry over time. Here are some common facial exercises:^{[3]
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- Eyebrow raises: Place your fingers just above your eyebrows and apply slight pressure. Raise your eyebrows while resisting the pressure from your fingers, hold for a few seconds, then repeat.
- Cheek lifts: Smile widely while keeping your lips closed. Place your index fingers on the corners of your mouth and gently lift your cheeks toward your eyes. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat several times.
- Jawline exercises: Place your index and middle fingers on your chin and apply slight pressure. Try to open your mouth while resisting the pressure from your fingers. Hold for a few seconds, then repeat.
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Certain hairstyles can help you balance an asymmetrical face without any procedures. For example, if your face is longer on one side than the other, getting side bangs can help make your face look more even. Or, if your ears aren’t symmetrical, cover one ear with your hair to hide the asymmetry. Play around until you find a hairstyle that works for you.^{[4]
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If you sleep on your side or your stomach, your face may become less symmetrical over time due to the constant pressure on one side of your face.^{[5]
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Research source} If possible, try sleeping on your back. If you can’t, alternate which side you sleep on to help balance out your face.
If you have poor posture, your head may move forward rather than staying above your body. This puts pressure on your neck and jaw muscles, which can sometimes affect facial symmetry. Improve your posture by aligning your neck and spine, keeping your ears over your shoulders, and making sure your head is balanced on top of your body.^{[6]
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If you mainly chew your food on one side of your mouth, the muscle on that side may become more prevalent, making your jaw appear asymmetrical. To avoid this, try to chew your food on both sides of your mouth, distributing the workload evenly. Chew each bite thoroughly to ensure even muscle activation on both sides.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 7:

Non-Surgical Ways to Get a Symmetrical Face

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Botox or Dysport When injected, wrinkle relaxers like Botox and Dysport not only relax lines and wrinkles but improve the appearance of asymmetrical brows. These injections can weaken the muscle to pull the brow up, effectively providing a non-surgical brow lift.^{[8]
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Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Expert Interview} Botox or Dysport can also reduce the prominence of your jaw and target overactive muscles on one side of the face to balance facial expressions.^{[9]
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- Average cost: The cost of wrinkle relaxers depends on how many units you need, though on average, it costs between $300-$600 to be effective.
- Is it permanent? No, Botox injections typically last 3-4 months.
- Note: The downside of most non-surgical procedures is that the results aren’t permanent. Depending on the treatment you choose, results may last only a few months to a year. Then, you may need to repeat the process.
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Dermal fillers Dermal fillers, like Juvederm and Sculptra, are injectable substances that consist mainly of hyaluronic acid. These injectables can add volume to specific areas of the face, which in turn corrects facial asymmetry and balances uneven features.^{[10]
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Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Expert Interview} Filler is often used to add symmetry to the cheeks or jawline and to replenish fad pads in the midface.^{[11]
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- Average cost: The cost depends on the type of filler, but on average, filler costs between $600-$900 per syringe.
- Is it permanent? No, dermal filler is not permanent. Depending on the type of filler and injection site, it typically lasts anywhere from 6 months to 5 years.
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ThermiSmooth Thermismooth is a non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The treatment targets sagging or asymmetrical areas at the cellular level and promotes collagen production to give you a more balanced, youthful appearance.^{[12]
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- Average cost: The price you pay depends on your treatment plan, but sessions usually start at $300.
- Is it permanent? No, Thermismooth typically lasts for 9-12 months.
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PDO thread lift A PDO thread lift is a minimally-invasive procedure in which dissolvable threads are placed under the skin to balance facial proportions. This procedure allows for the cheeks, jawline, eyebrows, and neck to be lifted while also smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. It is essentially a non-surgical alternative to a facelift.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Average cost: PDO thread lifts typically cost between $700 and $4,500 depending on the treatment area and number of threads used.
- Is it permanent? No, PDO thread lifts typically last between 9 months and 3 years.

Section 3 of 7:

Surgical Procedures to Get a Symmetrical Face

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Facelift A surgical facelift can improve both sagging skin and facial symmetry. As the name suggests, a facelift tightens and lifts the skin as well as the underlying muscles. The procedure can reposition facial tissue to restore facial balance.^{[14]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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- Average cost: The average cost of a facelift is $11,395.^{[15]
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  Research source} However, they can cost as much as $20,000.
- Is it permanent? Facelifts typically last 10-15 years.
- Note: The downsides to surgical procedures is that they’re costly, are higher-risk than non-surgical procedures, and require a longer recovery time. Additionally, not everyone is eligible for surgical treatments depending on their overall health, medical conditions, and individual anatomy.
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Brow lift Similar to a facelift, this procedure lifts and repositions sagging or drooping eyebrows to restore facial symmetry and create a more youthful appearance. Also known as a forehead lift or forehead rejuvenation, a brow lift also improves the appearance of the forehead and the area around the eyes.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Average cost: The average cost of a brow lift is $5,460.^{[17]
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- Is it permanent? Brow lifts can sometimes be permanent, but results typically last about 10 years.
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Facial implants Facial implants, like chin or cheek augmentation, help enhance your facial structure and improve facial symmetry. These implants are surgically placed in specific areas to add volume and definition to your face.^{[18]
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Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Expert Interview} If your asymmetry is caused by your skeletal structure, this may be your best option.^{[19]
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- Average cost: Depending on the location of the implants, they typically cost $3,500 to $4,000.
- Is it permanent? Facial implants are intended to be permanent but can be removed if desired.
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Eyelid lift Also known as blepharoplasty, an eyelid lift removes the excess skin over the eyelid and fixes droopy or puffy eyelids that can create the appearance of facial or eye asymmetry. The procedure also creates a more balanced appearance by tightening the underlying muscles.^{[20]
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MedlinePlus
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- Average cost: Eyelid lifts typically cost between $3,500 and $4,000.
- Is it permanent? Results of upper eyelid surgeries typically last 5-7 years, while results of lower eyelid surgery are usually permanent.
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Rhinoplasty If your facial asymmetry is caused by your nose, rhinoplasty (or a nose job) may help. This procedure can adjust the shape, projection, and proportion of your nose to enhance facial harmony and balance. This may also be a good option if you need to correct your nose for medical reasons, like breathing difficulties.^{[21]
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- Average cost: The average cost of rhinoplasty is $7,637.^{[22]
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- Is it permanent? Yes, rhinoplasty is typically permanent.
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Otoplasty Otoplasty, sometimes known as ear pinning, is a surgical procedure that reshapes or moves the external ear. If one ear sticks out more than the other, this procedure can pin it back so it appears more even with the other. Otoplasty can also mold the ears so that they’re more balanced with the size and shape of your face and head.^{[23]
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- Average cost: The average cost of otoplasty is $4,625.^{[24]
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- Is it permanent? Yes, otoplasty is usually permanent.
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Fat grafting Fat grafting is a procedure in which fat is taken from one area of the body and transferred to another. When placed strategically, the fat can restore volume to your face and make it appear more symmetrical.^{[25]
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- Average cost: The average cost of fat grafting to the face is between $3,000 and $7,500.
- Is it permanent? Fat grafting isn’t permanent, but usually lasts upward of 5 years.
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Facial reconstruction surgery If your facial asymmetry is severe and caused by facial trauma or abnormalities, facial reconstruction surgery might help you achieve your desired results. This is a major medical procedure that reshapes, repairs, and restores facial structures to improve both their appearance and function.^{[26]
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MedlinePlus
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- Average cost: Complete facial reconstruction surgery generally falls within a range of $20,000 to $50,000 or more.
- Is it permanent? Facial reconstruction surgery isn’t considered permanent, as your face will change due to the natural aging process.

Section 4 of 7:

Facial Asymmetry Causes

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Facial asymmetry can be genetic or caused by lifestyle habits. Most people have an asymmetrical face, though some have more noticeable asymmetry than others. Several factors can influence and cause facial asymmetry, some of which may be preventable. Here are some of the most common causes:^{[27]
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- Aging
- Genetics
- Sun damage
- Injury or trauma (like a broken nose)
- Smoking
- Sleeping on your side or stomach
- Health or medical conditions (like a stroke)
- Dental work (especially dental extractions and jaw surgery)
- Clenching and grinding teeth

Section 5 of 7:

Is it normal to have an asymmetrical face?

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Almost everyone has some degree of asymmetry on their face, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. While it’s okay to take the steps to make your face more symmetrical if you want to, never feel pressured to change your face either temporarily or permanently.^{[28]
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Section 6 of 7:

Can asymmetrical faces be attractive?

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Yes, asymmetrical faces can be attractive. People are often under the impression that only symmetrical faces are considered attractive, but this is not the case. Beauty is subjective, and many factors contribute to attractiveness. In fact, some studies suggest that natural asymmetry is desirable.^{[29]
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Science Direct
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Go to source} Don’t feel like you have to hide your unique features—embrace them!
- Remember, there are a lot of celebrities that are considered conventionally attractive who don’t have perfectly symmetrical faces!

Section 7 of 7:

Final Takeaways

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Doing facial exercises, improving your posture, and sleeping on your back are a few common ways to naturally improve your facial symmetry.^{[30]
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Expert Source

Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Expert Interview} You can also try non-invasive treatments like Botox, or for a permanent solution, schedule a surgical procedure like a face lift. However, there is nothing wrong with having an asymmetrical face! In fact, it’s completely normal, as no one is naturally perfectly symmetrical. It’s okay to improve your symmetry if you want to, but it’s also okay to embrace your natural appearance.

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If you’re considering a permanent solution for your facial asymmetry, like plastic surgery, make sure it’s something you truly want to do. It may be a good idea to consider less-permanent options first.

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