• Dr. Nicolas Zwillinger, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

What is a lip lift?

Alip liftis a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to lift a thin upper lip on one or both sides, thereby increasing the volume of the red lip, correcting lip asymmetry, or revealing the upper teeth when smiling.

A lip lift increases the height of the red part of the upper lip (vermilion border) and reduces the length of the white part of the lip (skin).

The philtrum grows by up to 3 millimeters per decade as we age, which eventually makes the lips appear thinner over time. Therefore, an upper lip lift can also be a good option for older individuals, as reducing the size of the philtrum can make them look younger. 

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How is a lip lift performed?

  • An incision is made in the crease between the nostrils and just below the nose.
  • A precise strip of skin is removed through this incision, allowing the desired lip volume to be achieved.
  • Fine sutures are used to close the incision.
  • Results may be noticeable quickly, but it may take several weeks to see the full results.

 

  • Type of anesthesia: local anesthesia
  • Type of hospitalization: outpatient 
  • Duration of the procedure: 30–45 minutes
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The drawbacks of a lip lift procedure

  • The scar may be particularly noticeable along the sides of the nose at first, but modern laser techniques can often eliminate it.

Aftercare and results of a lip lift procedure

  • Specialized care: healing cream

  • Temporary side effects and complications: During the first 15 days, you may experience a sensation of your lips feeling "too tight" or your nostrils feeling "distorted" due to the lift, but this is temporary.

  • Removal of stitches: The stitches are removed between the 5th and 8th day.

  • A 7-day rest period is often necessary before returning to normal life.

  • Resuming physical activities after a lip lift: 3 weeks

  • Return to work: 5 to 10 days, depending on the job

  • Final result: 1½ months.

All the benefits of a lip lift procedure

  • Quick and easy procedure (30–45 minutes).

  • The treatment may provide long-lasting results, but these may change over time.

  • The incision is usually well-placed under the nose, but the scar may be visible depending on the patient.

  • This procedure does not require implants or other techniques such as injections.

Before the lip lift procedure

Signing of the estimate and informed consent form, and routine taking of medical photographs.

Cooling-off period: 15 days between the initial consultation and the lip lift procedure in the case of cosmetic surgery.

Medical appointments: 1 to 2 cosmetic surgery consultations.

Recommendations: Stop smoking at least one month in advance; stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications 10 days before the lip lift.