Hanging corners of the mouth and RBF, what do you do about it?

An interview with Dr. Frodo about resting bitch face

In this interview with Monique Lindeboom, cosmetic doctor Dr. Frodo Gaymans discusses a well-known facial expression issue: RBF, or Resting Bitch Face. Why do our mouth corners start to droop and why do we begin to look more sour as we age? And what can be done about it?

Facial expression and aging

According to Dr. Frodo, there is nothing more fascinating than a face in which the muscles move naturally:

"Facial expression is the subtitle of the spoken word."

But when our expressions don’t match what we say — for example, a frown while listening, or a forced smile to appear friendly — it can create confusion or unease. The face sends a message that doesn’t align with our words.

What is resting bitch face?

As we get older, our face may appear angry or tense even when we are completely relaxed. This isn’t because of who we are, but because the face at rest no longer reflects our personality. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as Resting Bitch Face.

"The muscles that pull the face downward become stronger with age," explains Dr. Frodo. "As a result, the corners of the mouth drop, the chin muscle tenses, and frown lines become more visible — even when the face is at rest."

The tension of facial muscles at rest

When the face is relaxed, the muscles that create downward movement can become more dominant. This causes features like drooping mouth corners and visible lines. Ironically, when people become aware of their expression, they often activate the opposite muscles to pull their face upward — creating a socially acceptable but artificial appearance.

“Politicians and sophisticated older women are often very skilled at this. Former politician Neelie Kroes is a prime example.”

The calming power of facial serenity

A relaxed face that naturally reflects someone’s mood or message feels more trustworthy and pleasant. Forced or inconsistent expressions, such as a constant smile, can actually generate distrust.

“The smaller the gap between your conscious and unconscious facial expression, the more relaxed you appear — both to others and to yourself.”

What causes that tense, restless look?

As we age, the skull becomes smaller and the skin looser. This creates extra space between the bone structure and the skin, leading to sagging. Some people try to counteract this with muscle tension, but this is tiring and often appears unnatural.

How to create a relaxed, natural appearance

Dr. Frodo sees it as his mission to help people achieve a facial expression that looks friendly and relaxed — even when they’re not consciously thinking about it. The goal is to eliminate the need for a "mirror face" — the look you automatically give yourself when checking your reflection.

“You should look good even when you're not aware of how you look.”

What can fillers do?

Fillers can help reduce the visual gap between a tense and a relaxed face. Two key areas to focus on are:

1. The facial ligaments – strengthening these support structures can prevent sagging.
2. The area below the lower lip – restoring volume here can soften your overall expression.

By restoring balance in the face, you can prevent looking angry, tired or strict — even when you're just relaxing.

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