Lip Lift
Shorten a long upper lip and show more of the lip with a hidden scar.
Lip Lift - Our Approach
A lip lift shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip. As that space shortens, more of the pink upper lip shows, the lip looks fuller without filler, and the teeth show a little more when the mouth is relaxed. The most common technique places a fine incision at the base of the nose, where the scar hides well. A lip lift is a permanent, structural change, which makes it different from lip filler that adds temporary volume.
InquireThe Ideal Candidate
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Little pink lip show or teeth that do not show at rest
- A thin-looking upper lip that filler alone has not satisfied
- Healthy nonsmokers with realistic expectations
- Interest in a lasting change rather than repeated filler
Procedure Quick Facts
Surgical Technique
The most common lip lift uses a bullhorn-shaped incision tucked into the base of the nose. A measured strip of skin is removed, and the upper lip is lifted and closed so more of the pink lip shows. The amount removed is planned carefully, because lifting too much can show excess teeth or flatten the natural curve. It is usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, and can be combined with rhinoplasty since the incision sits in the same area.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Lift?
Good candidates have a long upper lip, little pink lip show, or teeth that do not show when the mouth is relaxed, and want a lasting change rather than repeated filler. Nonsmokers heal more predictably. It is less suitable for patients who mainly want more central fullness, which filler often handles well. Final recommendations depend on an in-person exam of lip proportions, tooth show, and the shape of the nose base, along with goals.
Recovery
Swelling and tightness of the upper lip are expected in the first week, along with a fine incision at the base of the nose. Sutures are usually removed within a week. Most patients are socially presentable within one to two weeks, though the scar stays pink for several weeks before fading. Sun protection helps the scar mature well.
Days 1 to 5
Expect swelling and tightness of the upper lip and a fine incision at the base of the nose. Keep the area clean and avoid stretching the lip. Sutures usually come out around day five to seven.
Weeks 1 to 2
Swelling eases and most patients return to normal activity and social settings, though the scar is still pink.
Weeks 3 to 8
The incision at the base of the nose continues to fade. Sun protection helps the scar mature well.
Months 3 to 12
The scar softens and becomes discreet in most patients, and the increased lip show settles into a natural result.
Lip Lift Risks & Considerations
Risks include a visible or poorly hidden scar, asymmetry, overcorrection with excessive tooth show, undercorrection, temporary numbness, stiffness of the lip, and rarely a widened scar that needs revision. Smoking raises the risk of poor healing. Careful planning of how much skin to remove is the main factor in a natural result.
- Visible or widened scar at the nose base
- Asymmetry
- Overcorrection with too much tooth or gum show
- Undercorrection
- Temporary numbness or stiffness
- Poor healing, higher in smokers
- Need for revision
Alternatives to Lip Lift
Lip filler adds temporary central volume without surgery and is a good option when the goal is simply more fullness. Facial fat grafting can add lasting volume in some cases. Neither shortens a long upper lip the way a lip lift does. When the concern is a long lip and low tooth show at rest, a lip lift is usually the more direct answer, and it can be combined with filler for volume.
Lip Lift vs Dermal Fillers
A lip lift is surgery that shortens the space between the nose and lip, showing more of the pink lip and creating a lasting change. Lip filler adds volume with an injectable gel and is temporary and reversible. A lip lift is often better when the upper lip looks long or the teeth do not show, while filler is better when the goal is simply more fullness. The two can also be combined.
Dermal FillersRelated Procedures
Medical Sources
Lip Lift - Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a lip lift do?
- It shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip, so more of the pink lip shows and the teeth show a bit more at rest. It adds fullness through lifting rather than filler.
- Where is the lip lift scar?
- The most common technique hides the incision at the base of the nose, where it usually fades to a discreet line.
- Is a lip lift permanent?
- Yes. Unlike filler, a lip lift is a lasting structural change. Filler can still be added later for extra volume if desired.
- Lip lift or lip filler?
- A lip lift is better for a long upper lip and low lip or tooth show. Filler is better when the only goal is more volume. The two can be combined.
- How long is recovery?
- Most patients return to work in about a week when the scar is still pink. Swelling settles over a couple of weeks and the scar fades over the following weeks.
- Can it be combined with a nose job?
- Yes. Because the incision sits at the base of the nose, a lip lift is sometimes combined with rhinoplasty.
Performed by Dr. Ruben Castro in Newport Beach, California