A lip lift is a surgical procedure that changes the appearance of your upper lip. A lip lift reduces the area between the base of your nose and your upper lip, allowing the upper lip to be more pronounced. The most common type of lip lift is called a Bullhorn Lip Lift (Subnasal Lip Lift). This incision is in the shape of a bullhorn below your nose. You may also be a candidate for a Corner Lip Lift, another technique that helps with downturned lip corners. This procedure has an incision on the corners of the mouth. Our surgeons will help you determine the best surgical plan for your goals and expectations.

The benefits of a lip lift include:

• Enhancing the appearance of volume in the upper lip
• Reversing a down-turned lip corner
• Improving the appearance of lip lines caused by aging

Good candidates for a lip lift include those who:

• Want to improve their upper lip shape or appearance
• Want to improve the appearance of upper perioral lines
• Have generally good physical and mental health
• Are nonsmokers, or are willing to stop smoking before their procedure

It is important to have appropriate expectations of a lip lift. A lip lift cannot:

• Provide volume in the lower lip
• Change skin quality
• Completely erase all fine lines

A surgical lip lift is an outpatient procedure that may be performed in the office under local anesthesia or in the OR, depending on your personalized surgical plan.

At your consultation, our plastic surgeons will evaluate you and ensure you are an appropriate candidate for a lip lift procedure. When you arrive for your procedure, we will first ensure that all of your last-minute questions have been answered. After you are comfortable, we will cleanse the skin and inject local anesthesia to numb the surgical area. We will remove excess skin between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip to help lift your top lip. Depending on your surgical plan, the incision may be in the shape of a bullhorn below your nose and at the corner of the mouth. Finally, we will close the incision with tiny sutures and remove them about one week after your procedure.

It is expected to experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the first few days after your procedure. Most patients can return to work the following day or several days after your procedure. You will have sutures on the base of the nose for about a week after your procedure. It is important to avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Every patient’s recovery is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than average.

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