What Is a Lip Lift?

A youthful and attractive upper lip is characterized by an appropriate balance between the nose, upper lip, and teeth. With aging, the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip gradually increases, the upper lip may appear longer and flatter, and less of the upper teeth become visible during smiling and speaking.

A Lip Lift is a surgical procedure designed to shorten the upper lip and restore a more youthful and balanced facial appearance. Unlike fillers, which primarily increase lip volume, a lip lift elevates the position of the upper lip, enhances tooth show, improves lip definition, and creates a more attractive lip shape without adding excessive fullness.

The procedure is typically performed through a well-concealed subnasal incision using a bullhorn-shaped skin excision pattern. By removing a precisely measured strip of skin, the upper lip is elevated and repositioned. This allows greater visibility of the upper teeth, improves lip proportions, and enhances overall facial harmony.

When indicated, a lip lift may be combined with additional perioral rejuvenation procedures, including corner lip lift techniques performed through small incisions at the outer corners of the mouth. Combining these procedures allows a more comprehensive correction of perioral aging and helps achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes.

A Lip Lift may be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, fat grafting, and other facial rejuvenation procedures for more comprehensive facial enhancement.

The goal is to achieve a naturally youthful upper lip with improved definition, enhanced tooth show, balanced facial proportions, and a pleasant resting expression while avoiding an overfilled or artificial appearance.