Answer first: yes. Almost every face is asymmetrical to some degree: one eye sits slightly higher, one side of the mouth lifts more when you smile, the jaw is a little fuller on one side. That is normal, and it is usually more noticeable to you than to anyone else. The exception is asymmetry that appears suddenly, such as a droop on one side of the face. That can be a sign of a stroke and needs a call to 000 straight away.
Why your face looks more uneven to you than to others
Three things make people far more aware of their own asymmetry than anyone looking at them.
The mirror flips you. The face you see every morning is reversed left to right. The face your friends see, and the one in photographs, is the unflipped version. Because you are used to the mirror version, a photo of your real face can look subtly wrong, and the differences between your two sides seem to jump out.
Phone cameras distort at close range. A front camera held at arm’s length uses a wide lens close to your face. Whatever is nearest the lens, usually the nose and the centre of the face, looks larger, and a small turn of the head exaggerates one side. A photo taken from further away with a longer lens looks different, and closer to how you look in person.
You look for it. Once you have noticed a difference between your eyebrows, you will see it every time. Other people are not comparing your left eyebrow with your right.
None of that means a difference is imaginary. It means a selfie is a poor tool for measuring it.
Common causes of facial asymmetry
Most asymmetry is a mix of these:
- Development. The two halves of the face grow slightly differently. This is the most common cause and the least remarkable.
- Teeth and jaw. The way your teeth meet, missing teeth, and the position of the jaw all shape the lower face. Dental work and orthodontic treatment can change it.
- Muscle use. Habitual expressions and favouring one side when chewing can make one side’s movement look stronger.
- Ageing. Changes in skin, fat and bone with age rarely happen evenly on both sides.
- Sun exposure. Skin that gets more sun, such as the side of the face nearest a car window, can age differently from the other side. Daily sun protection on both sides of the face is widely recommended (our article on what “preventative” means covers this).
- Injury or surgery. Old fractures, scars and previous operations.
- Previous cosmetic treatment. Treatment that has worn off unevenly, or was placed unevenly, can create or exaggerate a difference.
When facial asymmetry is a medical issue
Most asymmetry needs no action. These do.
Call 000 immediately if a change comes on suddenly, especially with any of: one side of the face drooping, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, slurred or confused speech, sudden vision loss or a severe headache. Use the F.A.S.T. check: Face (has it drooped?), Arms (can both be raised?), Speech (is it slurred?), Time (call 000 now). Do not wait to see if it passes.
See a doctor urgently, the same day, if one side of your face suddenly becomes weak or will not move, you cannot close one eye properly, or one side of your mouth droops, even without other symptoms. A doctor needs to rule out a stroke and check for conditions such as Bell’s palsy, where early treatment matters.
See your GP or dentist soon if asymmetry is coming from swelling (which can be a dental infection or a salivary gland problem), a lump you can feel, or a difference that is gradually getting more noticeable over weeks or months without an obvious reason.
See a dentist, orthodontist or maxillofacial specialist if the asymmetry seems tied to your bite, jaw clicking or jaw pain.
If you have had a cosmetic treatment recently and notice new asymmetry with pain, skin colour change or any vision change, see our risks and safety page and contact the clinic that treated you, or call 000 for any vision change.
Can cosmetic treatment fix facial asymmetry?
It cannot make a face symmetrical. A face is not built to be a mirror image, and some difference between the two sides is normal.
A registered practitioner can assess the difference you have noticed, discuss whether any treatment is appropriate, and talk you through the risks, recovery and alternatives. Sometimes the right answer is that the difference is normal and better left alone. Sometimes it is that the cause is dental or medical and you should see someone else first.
A consultation looks at the whole face rather than only the feature you have noticed, and includes the option of no treatment. Our guide to what to expect at your first cosmetic consultation explains how that appointment runs.
A note on photos and preoccupation. If you find yourself checking the same difference in mirrors or photos many times a day, or avoiding photos or people because of it, that is worth mentioning to your GP before any cosmetic appointment. Our article on bringing reference images to a consultation explains why a practitioner may ask about it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for one eye to be higher than the other?
Yes, a small difference is very common. A new or sudden change in how an eyelid or eyebrow sits is different and should be checked by a doctor.
Why does my face look lopsided in selfies?
Front cameras are close to your face and use a wide lens, which distorts proportions, and you are used to your mirror-reversed image. Both make normal asymmetry look stronger.
Can sleeping on one side cause facial asymmetry?
It is often suggested, but the evidence is limited. Development, teeth, ageing and sun exposure are better-established causes.
What does sudden facial asymmetry mean?
It can be a stroke. Call 000. A sudden one-sided weakness without other symptoms still needs a doctor the same day.
Who should I see about facial asymmetry?
For sudden change, emergency services. For swelling or a lump, your GP or dentist. For bite or jaw issues, a dentist or orthodontist. For a long-standing cosmetic concern, a registered practitioner who can assess the whole face and discuss whether any treatment is appropriate.
Speaking with us
If you have a long-standing difference you would like assessed, you can arrange a consultation at either of our clinics through our contact page. A consultation is an assessment and a discussion of risks, alternatives and the option of no treatment. It does not commit you to anything.