Lip Lift

Learn How to Choose an Expert Surgeon for Your Lip Lift

As we age, the upper lip can lose volume and the philtrum column can elongate, resulting in a less youthful appearance. A lip lift is a surgical procedure that restores a youthful and balanced look by shortening the space between the nose and the upper lip, increasing the amount of “lip show” and creating the appearance of more lip fullness. Below, we explain what you can expect from a lip lift in the hands of an experienced, board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon.

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift, or perioral lip lift, is a surgical cosmetic procedure that elevates the position of the upper lip to increase the amount of vermillion (red) lip show and enhance the Cupid’s bow of the upper lip. 

During lip lift surgery, a facial cosmetic surgeon removes a small strip of skin from below the nose in order to shorten the distance between the nose and the upper lip—effectively “lifting” the lip and enhancing its shape. Other incision patterns may be used as well, depending on your goals and anatomy.

Lip lift techniques

There are various techniques used during a lip lift. Talk with your surgeon beforehand about the technique that will best help you meet your goals based on your facial anatomy and desired outcomes.

Indirect lip lift

This procedure, also known as a subnasal bullhorn lip lift, involves lifting the lip through an incision below the nose, hiding the scar in the natural shadow under the nose.

Central lip lift

This procedure focuses on elevating the central portion of the upper lip rather than the full upper lip, helping enhance the volume and the shape of the Cupid’s bow with incisions placed below the nose.

Direct lip lift

This procedure involves making an incision along the border of the upper lip. The scar is typically concealed in the natural border of the lip.

Corner lip lift

A corner lip lift raises the corners of the lip through incisions placed in the natural creases of the corners of the upper lip

Good candidates for a lip lift

You may be a good candidate for a lip lift if you feel that your red upper lip is disproportionately thin, whether due to genetics or aging. You may also be motivated to shorten the length of the philtrum, which connects the nose to the upper lip, or to have more “tooth show” when you smile. A lip lift may not be ideal for you if your smile already reveals a good deal of tooth and gum show, as a lip lift may exaggerate this.

Some patients choose a lip lift as a more permanent alternative to lip filler, though it is important to understand that lip lift only increases the amount of lip show and does not add volume in the same way that lip filler does.

Finally, as with any cosmetic surgery, you should be in good overall health, a non-smoker, and have clear and realistic expectations for what the surgery can accomplish.

What to expect during surgery

A lip lift is typically performed under local anesthesia, with or without sedation. Local anesthesia means you are awake but the area being operated on is numbed. It may also be performed under general anesthesia in certain cases.

Your facial cosmetic surgeon will make the incision, remove tissues, and suture the incision carefully. The procedure usually takes about 1 hour, and you are able to go home after the operation. A responsible adult should drive you home, and if you had general anesthesia, you will need someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery.

Recovery and results after a lip lift

Following the procedure, patients may experience some swelling and discomfort which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. Patients can usually return to their normal activities within a week. As with any surgical procedure, the full results of a lip lift will become apparent once all swelling has subsided and the area has fully healed.

Lip lift Cost

The cost of a lip lift varies depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the procedure and the geographic area where you live. A board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon will offer you a personalized estimate after the consultation once they have examined your anatomy, learned about your goals, and determined an ideal surgical plan for you. The total cost of surgery will include anesthesia fees, operating room fees, surgeon’s fees, and more, so be sure to ask for an all-inclusive quote. Many practices offer financing options to make elective surgery more affordable.

Combining lip lift with other procedures

Lip lift surgery can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a facelift surgery or rhinoplasty, or with non-surgical procedures like dermal fillers or neurotoxin injections, to further enhance results. While lip lift surgery increases the amount of visible lip, it does not add volume or fullness to the lips themselves, so lip filler may be a helpful complement for some patients.

Why choose a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon for your lip lift?

Conduct thorough research before selecting a cosmetic surgeon. Look for a surgeon who has extensive experience with lip lift procedures, excellent aesthetic outcomes in their before and after photos, and positive patient reviews. Additionally, confirm that lip lift surgery is a procedure they commonly perform before entrusting them with your safety and results. The American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS) carefully screens all of our members for safety, aesthetic mastery, and many other qualifications before certifying them.