Lip Lift

The best candidates for a Lip Lift are patients with ultra-thin upper and/or lower lips, a long, thin sagging upper lip that covers most of the teeth, and where the corners of the lip droop down.

The mouth undergoes many changes as it ages. The upper lip lengthens and sags, the vermilion thins out and takes on a "set" look, the corners droop, and the architecture becomes muted as the "lip roll" and the philtrum flatten and the "cupid's bow" loses its curves.

Before                        After

Photos courtesy of Dr J. Romano, San Francisco

Where the corners of the lip turn down, a Lip Lift performed on the corners of the mouth will rejuvenate an ageing lip. For an upper lip that has thinned and drooped, no longer showing the upper teeth when smiling, a Lip Lift can give a more youthful look.

Some people are encouraged to first try lip enhancement injections to see if this can give them sufficient augmentation. If the outcome is inadequate, then a Lip Lift may be recommended.

A Lip Lift involves removing the extra skin from the upper lip by making a small incision below the nose. This has the effect of lifting the vermilion (pink portion of the lip), which in turn results in more visibility of the vermilion. It also shortens the vertical height of the skin portion of the upper lip between the nose and mouth.

There are two types of Lip Lift surgery available where the incision is either made in the lip itself, or at the base of the nose at the junction of the nose and the upper lip.

The incisions are closed with very fine absorbable sutures, and the scar is inconspicuous after healing. The procedure takes 30-90 minutes and is usually performed under local anaesthesia.

Swelling is very mild and peaks at two to three days then disappears rapidly over the next week. Recovery time is minimal as is any pain or discomfort. You can shower and apply make-up 24 hours after surgery.

Complications are uncommon with this operation but could include infection, wound separation or unsatisfactory scarring.

Please ask your doctor for further information.

Locate a doctor for this procedure