A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to make the lips look fuller. It's a technique that narrows the space between the nose and the upper lip, known as the philtrum, increasing the amount of visible pink tissue, making the lips look fuller and more pronounced. It's a good solution for those who want to add height rather than volume to their lips, but there are different types of lip lifts.
Lip lifting can be performed using different methods.
A direct lip lift, sometimes called a gull wing lip lift, creates a more defined lip line. A thin strip of skin is removed just above the upper lip and pulled upward, creating the illusion of a more pronounced vermillion (the pink part of the lips). This procedure typically leaves a scar on the upper lip area.
A subnasal lift is one of the most common lip lift procedures. A surgeon will make an incision that is typically hidden along the base of the nose, where it is less visible. The incision is often shaped like a megaphone, and the center, right, and left lip are all pulled toward the nose.
A central lip lift shortens the space between the nose and lips with an incision at the bottom of the nose.
A lip lift, sometimes called a "smile lift," gives the face a more smiley appearance. It's performed by making two small incisions at either corner of the mouth and removing a small amount of skin. Some people prefer to have it combined with another facelift for greater fullness.
The Italian lip lift requires two incisions under each nostril and, apart from this detail, is very similar to the subnasal technique, generally without a visible scar.
A lip lift can be a good solution for older people who want to reduce the space between their lips and nose. This space typically increases with age and can make the lips appear thinner. Younger people who haven't had the desired results with filler techniques, or who find the effect of full lips too unnatural with this treatment, will likely appreciate a lip lift more. Lip lifts are a permanent solution, so they're ideal for those who are tired of having to undergo constant filler maintenance sessions.
Often these scars are virtually imperceptible; if the scar is very visible, laser treatment is possible. Before undergoing the procedure, it's important to be aware that certain factors can compromise the outcome, such as:
- if you don't have much space between the base of your nose and the top of your lip (usually about 1.5 centimeters),
- if you are a smoker and are unwilling or unable to quit during the post-surgical recovery period (approximately 2 to 4 weeks),
- if you have diabetes or any other condition that affects your blood's ability to clot,
- if you have mouth sores.