Lip lift surgery
A youthful upper lip, all your own
Lip lift surgery addresses elongation of the skin between the nose and upper lip. Often, lip filler or fat transfer can be performed simultaneously to enhance volume and definition.
Lip lifts at a glance
Overview
A lip lift shortens the philtrum, the skin-colored distance between nose and red upper lip, creating a youthful, naturally full upper lip. Aging elongates the philtrum, flattening the lip and reducing tooth show. A subnasal lip lift corrects this by removing a small strip of skin beneath the nose, lifting the lip upward for better facial proportion. Unlike fillers, a lip lift reshapes lip structure, revealing more vermillion border for a subtle, permanent result.
Dr. Anghel performs the subnasal bullhorn technique, placing incisions in the natural shadow beneath the nose for virtually invisible scarring, often combined with perioral laser resurfacing and fat grafting.
Recovery
Most lip lift patients return to social activity or work within 7–10 days. Initial swelling creates a much fuller lip appearance during the first 1–2 weeks, softening naturally as healing progresses. The initial lip swelling can be significant. Bruising is minimal in most cases. Most patients manage discomfort comfortably with over-the-counter medications.
Dr. Anghel recommends avoiding strenuous activity for 4 weeks post-surgery, while gentle walking is encouraged.
Results
Lip lift results are visible immediately, refining further as swelling resolves. Swelling peaks 2–3 days post-op, bruising clears within 1–2 weeks, and swelling is roughly 80% improved by 6 weeks, 90% by 3 months, and 95% by 6 months. The subnasal scar fades from a fine pink line to a thin white line, discreetly hidden in the natural crease beneath the nose.
Full healing and final results are complete within one year, revealing a naturally refined upper lip.
Types of lip lift surgery
This surgery is for patients with excess upper eyelid skin or upper eyelid hooding. The incision is placed in the lid crease and is well hidden once healed. The upper eyelid fat pads can be reduced at the time of surgery, if needed. This often results in a functional improvement for patient’s vision.
Subnasal bullhorn lip lift
This surgery is for patients who desire and improvement in the contour of the lower lids, often due to herniation or bulging of the lower lid fat pads. Most patients also have a hallow of the lower lids that is improved with fat grafting to smooth the appearance of the lid to cheek junction. Finally, the skin of the lower lids is resurfaced using ablative laser. The incision for this surgery is hidden inside the lower lid (transconjunctival approach), so there is no visible scar.
Corner lip lift
This surgery is for patients with descent of the brow position. This is done using an incision at the hairline and in the temples to lift up the skin of the forehead and scalp and recontour the brows and is know as a endoscopic style comprehensive brow lift. The scar is well concealed in the hair. This is the most powerful brow lift.
Lip lift with perioral laser resurfacing
This surgery is for patients with low lid creases or “sleepy eyes.” The position of the upper lid over the iris is corrected to result in a more open eye appearance. Often this has a functional benefit for patients as well.
Lip lift with fat grafting
Lip lift
Lip lift and ablative co2 laser resurfacing
Lip lift, ablative co2 laser resurfacing, injectables
“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.”
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Avoid blood thinning medications and nicotine. Discuss your surgery with your support person so they are ready to help the first 24-48 hours after surgery. We can arrange for hired help, if requested.
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You can combine facelift and neck lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, ablative laser skin resurfacing.
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Patients report that they feel well informed and cared for from the consultation through their recovery. They feel like ample time is given to answer all their questions. Read more about patients’ experiences here.
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Healthy patients who desire an improvement in their lip appearance are good candidates, especially if the skin colored lip length is long.
Patients are required to be nicotine free 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.
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Bleeding, infection, delayed healing, scarring, need for revision surgery, cosmetic dissatisfaction.
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The scars for a bullhorn liplift are at the base of the nose and around the nostrils.
For a corner lip lift, the scars are at the top corners of the mouth.