Lip lift surgery in Vancouver, WA
A lip lift shortens the skin between the nose and the upper lip, which lengthens with age. Dr. Ersilia Anghel often combines it with CO2 laser resurfacing around the mouth or fat grafting to the lips.
- Procedure types
- Subnasal bullhorn lip lift, corner lip lift
- Incisions
- At the base of the nose; at the mouth corners for a corner lift
- Social downtime
- 7 to 10 days
- Final result
- Healing complete at about 1 year
What a lip lift does
The philtrum is the skin between the nose and the red of the upper lip. With age it gets longer, the lip flattens, and less of the upper teeth show. A lip lift removes a small strip of skin under the nose to shorten the philtrum and turn the lip slightly upward.
Unlike filler, a lip lift changes the structure of the lip, so the result is long-lasting. Dr. Anghel uses the subnasal bullhorn technique, which places the scar in the natural shadow at the base of the nose.
What it improves
- A long upper lip
- A flat or thin-looking upper lip
- Little upper tooth show
- Corners of the mouth that turn down
Who it suits
- Healthy adults with a long upper lip
- Patients who want a lasting change rather than filler
- Patients also bothered by lines around the mouth
- Nicotine-free 4 weeks before and after surgery
Lip lift results
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Real patients. Results vary. A consultation is required.
Types of lip lift
Subnasal bullhorn lip lift
The most common lip lift.
Dr. Anghel removes a small strip of skin just under the nose, shaped like a bullhorn so it follows the curve of the nostrils. This shortens the philtrum, turns the upper lip slightly upward and shows more of the red lip. The scar sits in the natural shadow at the base of the nose.
Corner lip lift
For mouth corners that turn down with age.
A small piece of skin is removed just above each corner to lift it into a more neutral position. The scars sit at the top corners of the mouth. It can be done alone or with a subnasal lip lift.
Lip lift with laser resurfacing
For lines and crepey skin around the mouth.
A lip lift changes the shape of the lip; it does not treat the vertical lines above it. CO2 laser resurfacing around the mouth treats those lines in the same session, so shape and skin are addressed together.
Lip lift with fat grafting
For volume as well as shape.
A lip lift shortens the upper lip; fat grafting adds volume. A small amount of your own fat, usually from the abdomen or thighs, is placed in the upper and lower lip. Some of the fat is absorbed in the first months; what remains at one year is long-lasting.
What recovery looks like
The lip looks much fuller from swelling in the first 1 to 2 weeks, then softens as it heals. Bruising is usually minimal. Most patients manage discomfort with over-the-counter medicine. Avoid strenuous activity for 4 weeks; gentle walking is encouraged.
- Day 2 to 3Swelling peaks.
- 7 to 10 daysMost patients return to work and social plans.
- 1 to 2 weeksBruising clears; the lip still looks fuller from swelling.
- 4 weeksReturn to strenuous exercise.
- 6 weeksSwelling about 80% better.
- 1 yearHealing is complete. The scar fades to a thin white line.
In their words
“I sought Dr Anghel’s opinion after being disappointed with another surgeon’s work. She recommended a lip lift and laser treatment. Dr Anghel was an attentive listener and a great communicator. She understood my concerns and did a great job. She was very responsive during recovery. All my questions were answered and explanations provided pre and post surgery.…”
Read full review
“I sought Dr Anghel’s opinion after being disappointed with another surgeon’s work. She recommended a lip lift and laser treatment. Dr Anghel was an attentive listener and a great communicator. She understood my concerns and did a great job. She was very responsive during recovery. All my questions were answered and explanations provided pre and post surgery. I have been in healthcare for 50 years and Dr Anghel comes with my highest recommendation.”
46 five-star Google reviews across all procedures · Read them on Google
Lip lift cost in Vancouver and Portland
Your exact price depends on your plan, which is set at your consultation.
Patient financing
Pay over time with Cherry or PatientFi, two patient financing services. Each lender sets its own approval and terms. Ask about financing at your consultation.
Lip lift questions
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?
Healthy adults who want to improve the look of the upper lip, especially when the skin between the nose and the lip is long. Patients must be nicotine-free 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to work and social plans 7 to 10 days after surgery. Swelling makes the lip look fuller for the first 1 to 2 weeks and is about 80% better by 6 weeks.
Where are the scars?
For a bullhorn lip lift, at the base of the nose and around the nostrils. For a corner lip lift, at the top corners of the mouth.
What procedures can I combine with a lip lift?
CO2 laser resurfacing around the mouth, fat grafting to the lips, facelift and neck lift, and eyelid surgery. Lip filler can be added once you have healed.
How do I prepare?
Stop nicotine at least 4 weeks before surgery, and avoid blood-thinning medicines as Dr. Anghel directs. Plan for a support person for the first 24 to 48 hours. The practice can arrange hired help if you need it.
What are the risks?
Bleeding, infection, delayed healing, scarring, the need for revision surgery, and being unhappy with the result. Dr. Anghel reviews each of these with you at your consultation.
Procedures to pair with a lip lift
CO2 laser resurfacing
Treats lines around the mouth
Facial fat grafting
Adds lasting volume to the lips
Facelift & neck lift
Deep plane facelift and neck lift
Injectables
Lip filler after healing
Reviewed by Dr. Ersilia Anghel, MD
Double board-certified in Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery · Fellowship-trained · Vancouver, WA
Updated October 2026 · About Dr. Anghel