Facial Procedure: Lip Lift

A lip lift refers to a surgical procedure that lifts the lip to create a youthful appearance and smile. Good candidates for lip lifts include patients who have a long space between the upper lip and nose, have flat lips and whose teeth do not show when smiling.

People who have had filler injections in the lip area may also want a lip lift to prevent "duck lips." Lip lifts are common for people who are showing signs of aging, but are also a good option for those as young as their 20s who want a fuller look in the lip area.

What happens during a lip lift procedure?

Lip lifts are conducted under local anesthesia. There are two common ways to perform a lip lift: an upper lip lift and a corner lip lift. The upper lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip. It exposes more of the teeth and makes the lips look fuller. The corner lip lift addresses the sides of the mouth, correcting the appearance of a permanent frown. In some cases, both types are performed at the same time.

During an upper lip lift, an incision happens right below the nose and a small strip of tissue and skin is removed. The lip is then elevated to a new position. The amount of skin removed varies by person but generally ranges from 1.2 centimeters and 1.5 centimeters.

During a corner lip lift, the edges of the corner of the mouth are lifted in what has been informally termed the "smile surgery." A small wedge of skin is excised to lift the mouth's appearance.

What happens during lip lift recovery?

As soon as the lip lift surgery is complete, the patient can go home to recover. Swelling and a feeling of tightness in the face will persist for a few weeks but most people feel well enough to return to work in a few days. By the end of two weeks, the swelling should be nearly gone, leaving improved, youthful results.