You know about lip injections, fillers, and implants: the cosmetic procedures that give the lips a plump pout. But there’s another procedure you may not have heard of – and this one’s permanent. It’s called a lip lift.
Lip lifts are designed to shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip. This area, known as the philtrum , lengthens as we age thanks to gravity and lost skin elasticity. While it is possible to reverse this sign of aging using fillers, the effect lasts just a few months. A lip lift is your everlasting solution.
What is a lip lift?
There are two types of lip lifts: upper and corner. Upper lip lifts are more common.
What is an upper lip lift?
An upper lip lift is a surgical procedure that reduces the space between the top lip and nose. Doing so increases the amount of visible pink tissue, making the lips appear more voluminous. It also allows more of your teeth to show through when the mouth is at rest and smiling.
People choose to get an upper lip lift for several reasons:
- Shorten the space between the top lip and base of the nose
- Add height and volume to thin or flat lips
- Ensure teeth show when smiling
- As an alternative to lip fillers when the upper lip cannot expand vertically, resulting in the ‘duck lips’ effect
What is a corner lip lift?
A corner lip lift is a surgical procedure that raises the corners of the mouth, not the center. It’s almost exclusively performed on those that believe the corners of their mouth droop down into a permanent frown.
In some cases, people undergo corner and upper lip lifts simultaneously.
Am I a suitable candidate for a lip lift?
Lip lifts are a versatile procedure that can help people of all ages achieve the look they desire.
An upper lip lift can restore volume to the lips for more mature patients to create a fuller, more youthful appearance.
For younger patients, an upper lip lift is an alternative to lip fillers – they may find continuously booking and attending upkeep appointments annoying or time-consuming, they may not be able to create the lip look they want, or they may not want to risk that unnatural looking duck-like pout.
That being said, some people are not suited to a lip lift procedure. If you meet the following criteria, your doctor may suggest alternative options:
- The distance between your top lip and the base of your nose is less than 1.5 cm
- You smoke, and you are not willing to quit permanently or for the duration of your healing period, about two to four weeks
How long does it take to recover from a lip lift?
Lip lifts are a surgical procedure performed using local anesthesia – you will be awake, but you won’t feel any pain.
After the procedure, expect some discomfort, swelling, and tightness. The good news is, you can return home immediately and recover comfortably in your own, private environment.
Although it can take a few weeks to a month for swelling to subside completely, you can go back to work three to four days post-surgery.
Your doctor will remove the sutures used to seal the incision between three and five days after your procedure. You will need to attend follow-up appointments, too, so your doctor can keep an eye on your healing progress.
What are the results of a lip lift?
After an upper lip lift, expect fuller lips and a smaller distance between your lips and nose, creating a feminine and youthful appearance. These results are permanent.
You also don’t have to worry about post-surgery scarring. The incision is directly underneath the nose in a natural fold in your skin. Because of this, the tiny scar is disguised.
Can I get lip fillers after my lip lift?
You certainly can. Many patients choose to undergo a lip lift to alter the effect of lip fillers. You can achieve a full, youthful pout by pairing the two procedures – no duck lips, guaranteed.
Achieve the lips you’ve always wanted – permanently
A lip lift is truly a revolution for those sick and tired of the upkeep demanded by lip injections.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward time-defying full and youthful lips, schedule your initial consultation today. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns – we’d be happy to offer personalized advice.
