Lip Lift

An upper lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip (the philtrum). It elevates the upper lip, reveals more of the pink lip (vermillion), and can restore a small amount of "tooth show" when the mouth is at rest — creating a more youthful, balanced lower face.

Your surgeon will assess you and advise whether this procedure is suitable, but the decision to proceed is always yours.

You may be a good candidate if:

• Your philtrum (the area between your nose and upper lip) has lengthened with age, or is naturally long — typically at least 15–16mm
• Your upper lip shows little to no top teeth when your mouth is relaxed, and you would like more visible "tooth show"
• You have realistic expectations about the amount of change achievable (often only a few millimetres) and accept that a permanent scar will result

You are not a good candidate if:

• Your philtrum is already short, or you already show a lot of tooth or have a "gummy" smile
• Your main concern is lip volume rather than length — in this case, lip filler may be more appropriate
• You have unrealistic expectations about scarring or the extent of correction possible

Surgeons generally advise more caution in younger patients (especially under 40) and in patients with darker or thicker skin, as the scar can be more visible or take longer to fade in these groups.

A well-planned lip lift can restore youthful lip proportion and fullness without the ongoing maintenance of fillers. Because it is a surgical, structural change, results are considered permanent (though ageing continues over time).

Lip filler adds volume to the body of the lip but does not shorten the philtrum or increase tooth show — it treats a different problem. Some patients benefit from both: a lip lift to correct proportion, followed by filler for volume, once the lip is more everted and receptive to filler. If your main issue is only the outer corners of your mouth turning down, a separate corner lip lift may be more appropriate.

The lip lift is usually performed under local anaesthetic, sometimes with light sedation, and takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

• A "bullhorn"-shaped strip of skin is marked and removed from just beneath the nostrils, hidden in the natural shadow at the base of the nose
• The deeper connective tissue layer (SMAS) is used to place hidden internal sutures that do most of the lifting work, minimising tension on the visible skin closure
• The nasal sill (where the nostril meets the lip) is carefully avoided to prevent distortion of the nostril shape
• The skin is closed with fine sutures

Most surgeons remove only 1.5–4mm of skin — a small amount can make a significant difference, and being conservative reduces the risk of overcorrection.

All surgery carries risk, and because the lip lift involves a visible area of the face that moves constantly, careful surgical planning and conservative technique are especially important.

General risks of any operation: infection, bleeding, allergic reaction.

Specific risks of upper lip lift surgery:

• Scarring: this is the most discussed risk, as the scar sits in the middle of the face. With good technique and tension-free closure, most scars fade well and become difficult to notice; however, the upper lip skin is thicker and less "forgiving" than eyelid skin, so scarring is generally more visible here than after eyelid surgery. Surgeons estimate around 5% of patients need additional scar treatment (such as laser or steroid injection)
• Asymmetry: possible, particularly if pre-existing facial asymmetry wasn't accounted for in planning
• Nerve changes / altered sensation: temporary numbness or tingling of the upper lip is relatively common in the initial weeks; permanent changes in sensation are rare
• Overcorrection (lip too short): this is considered the most serious and difficult-to-reverse complication — an overshortened lip cannot be lengthened back to normal. In severe cases, this can restrict mouth closure or smiling, and correction may require complex secondary surgery
• Undercorrection: the change may be too subtle if too little skin is removed; this is easier to revise than overcorrection
• Nasal distortion: poor technique near the nostril base ("nasal sill") can cause the nostrils to look unnaturally round or distorted
• Restricted lip movement: if too much skin is removed or the underlying muscle is handled too aggressively, the mouth may move awkwardly for weeks to months, and rarely, restriction can be permanent
• Cold sore (herpes) reactivation: patients prone to cold sores may be given a preventive antiviral medication around the time of surgery

• Tell your surgical team about all medications, blood thinners, and supplements
• Stop smoking, as this affects healing in this area significantly
• Discuss your expectations honestly with your surgeon — understanding that a lip lift is not reversible is essential before proceeding

• Swelling and bruising typically last 2–3 weeks, with tightness, tingling, or numbness for up to 3 months as new collagen forms and matures
• Deep, dissolvable sutures can take 8–12 weeks to fully dissolve, and some tightness may be felt until they do
• Keeping your face relatively still (minimising exaggerated smiling, laughing, or talking) for the first 2 weeks helps the wound heal with a finer scar
• Skin-level sutures are usually removed after 2–5 days
• Sun protection on the scar is important; some surgeons use laser treatment at 3–4 weeks to reduce redness
• It typically takes about 3 weeks for the scar to be easily disguised with make-up, and about 3 months to be fully settled for photographs or special occasions

Is the scar very noticeable? Most surgeons aim to hide the scar in the natural shadow under the nose. While it's rarely completely invisible, it usually fades significantly with good technique and aftercare — though it is more noticeable than scars from many other facial procedures because of the thicker, less forgiving skin in this area.

Can a lip lift be reversed if I don't like the result? No — this is one of the most important things to understand before proceeding. Overshortening cannot be corrected, and while asymmetry or minor scarring issues can sometimes be improved, the fundamental change to lip length is permanent.

Am I too young for a lip lift? Many surgeons are cautious about performing lip lifts on patients under 40, as younger skin can produce more visible scarring relative to the modest benefit gained, and the natural signs of ageing this procedure addresses may not yet be present.

How much can my lip be shortened? Typically only 1.5–4mm — a small amount makes a significant visual difference, and conservative removal is safer than aggressive correction.

Can this be combined with other procedures? Yes, it's commonly performed alongside a facelift, and around half of facelift patients choose to add a lip lift for overall facial harmony.

--- This document is for general information only and does not replace a full, individualised consultation with your surgeon.