Asymmetrical Face Treatment in Oakville, Ontario

Overview

Do you find yourself thinking, “Why is my face asymmetrical?” Nearly everyone has some degree of facial asymmetry. However, for some, the differences can be more noticeable, impacting self-confidence. If you’re wondering how to fix an asymmetrical face, the first thing to know is that you have options. 

At ICLS, we welcome patients from Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, and across the GTA who want a more balanced appearance. Dr. Julie Khanna focuses on natural correction for facial asymmetry, helping patients look more even and refreshed but not “overdone.” 

Facial asymmetry can have various causes, ranging from genetic factors and aging to personal habits, dental issues, and even traumatic injury. The first step toward finding a solution is determining what’s driving the imbalance.

What Is an Asymmetrical Face?

Despite what photos that have been touched up or produced by AI might convey, perfect symmetry does not exist in real life. It’s common for one side of the face to look different from the other, particularly around the eyes, brows, cheeks, jawline, or overall facial shape. 

Much of the time, you might not notice subtle asymmetries. However, the differences can become more apparent in certain lighting, on phone cameras, or when you see yourself in motion. Many patients tell us they feel “uneven” or “not photogenic,” even if no one else sees them that way. 

When Is Asymmetry Considered Significant?

Asymmetry can feel more pronounced when:

  • One side looks lower, flatter, or fuller than the other.
  • The jawline seems uneven, or there’s an uneven jaw.
  • One brow sits higher, or one eyelid looks heavier.
  • One cheek looks more prominent; some people describe having one cheek bigger.
  • One eye appears more open or more dominant, or one eye seems bigger than the other.
  • The difference appears to worsen with age, photos, or certain angles.

It’s possible to have a very asymmetrical face even when the cause is subtle. Others feel they have extreme facial asymmetry because one feature immediately draws the eye. 

Asymmetry vs. Facial Imbalance

Facial asymmetry and facial imbalance can overlap. But they are not always the same thing. Asymmetry describes a left-to-right difference. Facial imbalance often refers to proportion issues across the face, such as a weak chin, uneven volume, or changes due to aging.

Some differences come from bone structure. Others come from soft-tissue volume, muscle pull, or skin laxity. 

What Causes an Asymmetrical Face?

To understand how to fix facial asymmetry, it helps to know what’s causing it. There are many possible causes of facial asymmetry, and more than one can apply at the same time.

Genetics and Development

Genetics can shape your bone structure, muscle tone, and fat distribution. Some people have naturally uneven cheek volume, a difference in jaw angle, or slight differences in eye shape. Others notice an uneven jaw or a subtle shift in the chin when comparing photos over time.

These differences do not mean something is “wrong.” They often reflect normal human variations. But if the difference affects self-confidence, cosmetic treatment can help create more balance.

Aging and Volume Loss

Aging can increase asymmetry. Fat pads shift, and volume changes over time, but they do not always change evenly. One cheek can lose volume faster than the other. One side of the jawline may soften more. Some people see more heaviness on one side, while the other side looks sharper.

This is a common reason asymmetry becomes more noticeable in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. It’s also why a treatment plan often focuses on facial harmony rather than just one feature.

Sleeping and Lifestyle Habits

Can sleeping on your side cause an asymmetrical face? Chronic side-sleeping may exaggerate soft-tissue compression over time. However, it usually does not explain all facial asymmetry on its own.

Other habits can play a role, too:

  • Mainly chewing on one side
  • Repetitive facial expressions
  • Screen posture and head tilt
  • Athletic habits that affect neck and jaw tension

These factors can contribute to muscle dominance or soft-tissue differences. They may also make asymmetry look more pronounced in photos.

Dental or Bite Issues

Bite alignment can influence facial balance. Malocclusion, missing molars, or past dental work may affect how the jaw sits and how the lower face develops. 

So, can braces fix an asymmetrical face? In some cases, orthodontic treatment can improve bite-related imbalance, which may improve the way the lower face sits. However, braces do not directly change cheek volume, skin laxity, or how aging affects one side more than the other.

Injury or Trauma

Past fractures, sports injuries, or previous surgeries can lead to subtle shifts in facial structure. Some injuries change how soft tissue sits. Others affect bone alignment. Even when healing goes well, a slight difference can linger and become more noticeable with age.

Medical Conditions

Some asymmetry relates to medical conditions, including Bell’s palsy, TMJ disorders, nerve or muscle imbalances, or congenital differences. These topics can be complex, and the right path depends on the cause and timing.

When To Seek Assessment

If you notice a new facial asymmetry that appears suddenly, seek timely medical care to rule out non-cosmetic causes. For long-standing aesthetic concerns, an ICLS consultation can help you understand what’s causing the imbalance and what options can improve it.

Diagnosing Facial Asymmetry at ICLS

Facial asymmetry is not “one size fits all.” Your first visit includes a detailed evaluation to identify the causes of facial imbalances.

Comprehensive Facial Analysis

Your assessment looks at:

  • Bone structure and facial proportions
  • Muscle activity and dominance
  • Fat compartments and volume distribution
  • Skin quality and elasticity
  • Balance between the upper, mid, and lower face

This process helps us identify where the asymmetry truly comes from. It also helps avoid over-correcting one area while ignoring another.

Identifying the Root Cause

The assessment focuses on what creates the difference, such as:

  • Uneven volume (for example, one cheek bigger or one cheek more deflated)
  • Structural differences (jaw or chin alignment, including an uneven jaw)
  • Muscle dominance (such as masseter strength on one side)
  • Skin laxity or sagging that develops more on one side

A good plan matches the treatment to the cause. That’s how you get natural, balanced results.

When Asymmetry Is Part of Aging vs. Originates Earlier

When asymmetry is primarily due to aging, treatment often focuses on lifting and restoring balance. When asymmetry has been present for years, treatment may focus more on structure and long-term proportion. Some patients benefit from combining treatments for holistic results.

How To Fix an Asymmetrical Face: Treatment Options at ICLS

Dr. Khanna focuses on subtle improvement that looks like you, just more balanced. The proper treatment depends on whether you have mild or more extreme facial asymmetry.

Structural & Surgical Correction (Most Definitive Results)

For structural differences or more advanced aging changes, surgery often offers the best outcomes. In such cases, asymmetrical face surgery may make sense as part of a customized plan.

Facelift or Mini Facelift

A facelift or mini facelift can improve asymmetry caused by uneven skin laxity and sagging. It can help balance the jawline and lower-face contour when one side drops faster than the other.

Chin Enhancement

Chin enhancement can improve alignment and balance when the chin sits slightly off-center or looks weak compared to other features. It may help with an uneven jaw or an unbalanced lower face.

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer can address uneven cheek volume, unilateral under-eye hollowing, or mild contour differences that make the face look uneven. Because it uses your own fat, it can create soft, natural-looking correction. It can also harmonize your appearance when one side shows more age-related volume loss.

Brow Lift (If Brow Asymmetry Is Present)

A brow lift may help when one brow sits lower or when upper-face asymmetry makes the eyes look uneven. This approach can be practical when the brows frame the eyes differently.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery can help when one eyelid sits lower or heavier than the other. Patients often describe this as having one eye bigger than the other. Or they may notice one eye looks more “open” in photos. Blepharoplasty can restore a more even upper-lid contour when excess skin contributes to the difference.

Subtle Enhancements: Non-Surgical

For minor imbalances, dermal fillers can help with small cheek or jawline differences. Botox can help with muscle dominance that affects brow position or jawline width. These options can support mild changes. But they cannot change bone structure or correct advanced asymmetry. People who feel they have a very asymmetrical face may still want to explore surgical options rather than surface-level correction alone.

At-Home & Lifestyle Habits: Honest Expectations

Can you fix an asymmetrical face on your own? You may have looked up how to fix an asymmetrical face naturally or explored facial asymmetry exercises. Maybe you’re wondering whether sleeping on your side causes an asymmetrical face. Some habits can support muscle balance and reduce strain, such as changing posture, chewing with awareness, and adjusting sleep. However, these steps cannot fix true structural asymmetry or replace medical care.

Results, Recovery, and What To Expect

Clear expectations matter as you explore how to address an asymmetrical face. Patients often feel more confident when they understand what the process looks like, from first vision to after-care.

Consultation Experience

Your consultation typically includes:

  • A detailed facial assessment and photographs
  • A conversation about what you see and what you want to change
  • Guidance on what looks realistic for your anatomy
  • A plan tailored to upper-, mid-, or lower-face asymmetry

Recovery

Recovery depends on the treatment. Swelling and bruising can occur, especially with surgical work or fat transfer. Your plan will include after-care instructions and follow-up visits to monitor your progress.

Longevity

Surgical results are long-lasting. Fat transfer settles naturally over time as your body adjusts. Injectables require ongoing maintenance. A good plan considers not just what looks better now but also what will age well.

Why Choose ICLS

ICLS is an Oakville-based clinic that serves patients from Toronto, the GTA, Mississauga, Burlington, and Hamilton. With an in-house surgical centre, we prioritize privacy, ethical guidance, and natural-looking outcomes.

Dr. Khanna’s approach focuses on facial harmony, meaning:

  • No overdone changes
  • No “one feature” mindset
  • No pushing treatment that doesn’t match your goals

Patients from Oakville, Toronto, and beyond come to ICLS because they want balanced results that still look like themselves. We’re a trusted facility that has completed thousands of successful facial harmony procedures.

Ready to learn more about facial asymmetry solutions? Book a consultation today.

Asymmetrical Face FAQs

The answer often involves genetics, facial development, age-related changes, habits, and, sometimes, dental or bite factors. Most people have natural asymmetry, and it usually becomes more noticeable in photos or with age.

In many cases, yes. Treatment can improve balance, but the best option depends on the cause. Some differences need volume correction. Others need lifting or structural adjustment.

Side-sleeping may contribute to soft-tissue compression over time. But it rarely explains significant asymmetry on its own.

Facial asymmetry exercises may improve muscle awareness or reduce tension. But they won’t change bone structure or correct aging-related sagging. They can support comfort and posture, but they don’t replace medical options.

If the asymmetry comes from bite alignment or jaw positioning, orthodontic work may help. However, braces won’t correct cheek volume loss, skin laxity, or other cosmetic contributors.

Not always. Mild differences may respond to subtle treatments. But for a more significant imbalance and definitive correction, facial asymmetry treatment may involve surgery.

Results depend on the treatment. Surgical changes tend to last a long time, but the face still ages. Fat transfer changes behave naturally over time. Injectables require maintenance.

dr. khanna headshot

Our Doctor

Dr. Julie Khanna

MD, FRCSC

As one of Canada’s leading cosmetic plastic surgeons for over 30 years, Dr. Khanna approaches every procedure with the goal of creating results that feel natural, balanced, and uniquely your own. 
Supported by an accredited, state-of-the-art facility and a team she’s personally trained, Dr. Khanna embodies the ICLS Advantage: experience, innovation, and care that always put the patient first.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons member at ICLS Plastic Surgery
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons member at ICLS Plastic Surgery
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons member logo for ICLS Plastic Surgery
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada fellow at ICLS Plastic Surgery
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American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon at ICLS Plastic Surgery

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