Lip Lift
A lip lift is a surgical procedure used to elevate the upper lip by removing a small piece of skin beneath your nose. As we age the upper lip tends to descend and lose fullness, both of which can be addressed by a lip lift. The procedure can easily be performed under local anesthesia.
Treatment Time
1 hour; an isolated lip lift can be performed under local anesthetic or under a general anesthetic if combined with other procedures.
Incisions
Incisions are hidden at the base of the nose where the nose meets the upper lip. After a few months the incisions are barely visible due to their location.
Benefits
The main benefits of a lip lift include a more youthful and elevated appearing upper lip, less need for filler in the upper lips, more fullness, and minimal scarring.
Technique
An incision is made below the nose following the natural curvature of the upper lips. The skin of the upper lip is elevated off the underlying muscle and then strong sutures are used to suspend the skin of the upper lip. Finally, small non-absorbable sutures are used to minimize scarring.
Recovery
One week. After a week the stitches beneath the nose are removed and bruising will largely be gone. Swelling in the lips may persist for 2-3 weeks.
Risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, poor healing, asymmetric result, and not meeting your aesthetic goals. Overall the risks of a lip lift are considered low due to the good healing potential in the area of the incisions.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who no longer want filler in their upper lips, have signs of upper lip aging including descent and wrinkles, are otherwise healthy, do not smoke, and have clear expectations.
Adjunct Procedures
Often an upper lip lift is combined with other types of facial rejuvenation such as a browlift, upper blepharoplasty, or facelift. Although common to do facial procedures together, a lip lift under local anesthetic by itself is a useful and straight forward operation.
Treatment Time
1 hour; an isolated lip lift can be performed under local anesthetic or under a general anesthetic if combined with other procedures.
Incisions
Incisions are hidden at the base of the nose where the nose meets the upper lip. After a few months the incisions are barely visible due to their location.
Benefits
The main benefits of a lip lift include a more youthful and elevated appearing upper lip, less need for filler in the upper lips, more fullness, and minimal scarring.
Technique
An incision is made below the nose following the natural curvature of the upper lips. The skin of the upper lip is elevated off the underlying muscle and then strong sutures are used to suspend the skin of the upper lip. Finally, small non-absorbable sutures are used to minimize scarring.
Recovery
One week. After a week the stitches beneath the nose are removed and bruising will largely be gone. Swelling in the lips may persist for 2-3 weeks.
Risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, poor healing, asymmetric result, and not meeting your aesthetic goals. Overall the risks of a lip lift are considered low due to the good healing potential in the area of the incisions.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who no longer want filler in their upper lips, have signs of upper lip aging including descent and wrinkles, are otherwise healthy, do not smoke, and have clear expectations.
Adjunct Procedures
Often an upper lip lift is combined with other types of facial rejuvenation such as a browlift, upper blepharoplasty, or facelift. Although common to do facial procedures together, a lip lift under local anesthetic by itself is a useful and straightforward operation.