Tense & Stiff Upper Lip or other Muscles in Social Situations

Hello,
I have a strange issue that eluded me for many years (about 15 years now). I would be grateful to get some answers; or at least get it issue classified.
Occasionally, the muscles under my upper lips (mustacle area) get tense as if I am contracting them deliberately. The contraction is not repeating; i.e. not a twitch, but rather a fixed tension that lasts for 10-15 minutes and slowly loosens and gets back to normal.
Depending on the severity, this is sometimes accompanied by similar but slight contractions in my eyelids (as if looking at a distant object). I have a very slight ptosis(one eyelid slightly shut more than the other while open) and it seems to get worse during the time of this problem. Sometimes there is also contracting hands (similar to making a fist, but not as fully closed).
The issue occurs when I am in a social environment; typically in a dinner of coffe table; while having conversation with other people. I do not remember it ever occuring when I was alone; so it seems to be related to social context. It does seem to occur more often around people that I am not very keen on, i.e. those that I have some degree of tension or ideologic difference etc. It also did occur while sitting around a dinner table with family members where the conversation was not particularly interesting. It seems to occur more frequently when I am trying to describe something to other people in less-than-ideal circumstances in terms of rapport.
Maybe it has to do with being to center of attention? Maybe some kind of feeling threatened in a way? I do not know.
I am a healthy 29 years old male who gets regular exercise. As fas as I know I do not have any underlying health issues. The frequency highly depends on 'social exposure' apparently. There have been times that I did not experience the issue for 6 months, but also times when I got it 2-3 times in one day. Note that I am a working individual with pretty normal degree of social activity. I am not overly anxious in social situations in general; and am a reasonably calm guy in general.
A photo is attached, showing both states.


Any help would be appreciated.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I would be willing to bet (to one degree or another) this is fairly common in guys. I've personally have seen this before myself. We're not too far from our animal roots. This facial tensing arrises from being agitated. Someone just running their mouth etc.

I think we all would like to conceal our feelings. It sucks when our face gives it away! But, in this case, that's just part of being human. Not every guy has this but plenty do. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Also, when I'm the object of this facial response, I act accordingly. I know "he's" agitated, he might be saying friendly words, but his face is telling me another story. I may then changed the subject or act in a way that is more friendly. Especially when I have my own pissed off looking face.

Sometimes my face can get me in trouble. Although, unlike you, I can quickly change it. However, I sometimes look like I'm pissed off and looking for a fight. The good thing is, if I run into someone that makes your face, I realize that I have my "fight face" on and quickly change it.
We're men. We need these facial cues to prevent carnage. lol

In the picture on the left, it seems like you're pursing your lips a bit. I do that sometimes when I'm in an uncomfortable social situation. Other than that, I don't see much difference between both pictures.

Although the difference may seem trivial, believe me, it is completely involuntary and the tension is VERY noticeable to me. Feels like a kind of numbness when it occurs. It is also very static and stays there for 10-20 minutes... Is that the same way to are experiencing this?
Also please note that it is not necesarily limited to the upper lip; sometimes the hands get affacted too.
Needless to say that; when it happens it causes me to panic inside a little bit in the middle of trivial conversations.
Oh well, I gues I will approach it more in a 'take it easy' perspective. Maybe also grow a big mustache
It is definitely socially related though. Do you think this can be solved purely in my mind, i.e. without any form of medication?

I had this problem too. Now bcs I stressed a lot it becamr permanent. When I shave it became swollen. The only thing that helped is stress medication. Bromazepam. In conclusion it's caused by stress. I am thinking to inject small dose of botox. It will relax the muscle but it will affect the smile for 2 months and I am fine with that if it will solve my problem. TC.