The Lip Lift Procedure
The upper lip extends from the base of the nose to the vermillion border of the upper lip. Men tend to have longer upper lips than women and the length of the lip tends to increase with age. As the lip lengthens, it may appear flatter and there is less visibility of the upper teeth when you smile.
Surgery Time
1 hour
Anaesthetic
Local
Hospital Stay
Day case
Time Off Work
1 week
Full Recovery
4 weeks
A Lip Lift is a surgical operation to reduce the length of the upper lip, to improve facial balance. It also addresses ageing changes by increasing the proportion of the vermillion without using temporary dermal fillers and reverses the downward turn of the lips that is also a common concern. It also increases the amount of upper tooth visibility when you smile.
Am I a good candidate for Lip Lift surgery?
- You feel that your upper lip area is too long and appears unattractive; in women this can make you look more masculine.
- You’ve noticed that your lip has got longer over time which creates an ageing appearance
- The upper lip has become thinner and more downturned as you’ve got older
- You are interested in a more permanent alternative to temporary dermal fillers
Mr Juling Ong’s expertise as a facial reconstructive surgeon means he is highly skilled in producing a subtle improvement that achieves a more attractive appearance to the mid-face, with minimal scarring that should not be noticeable when fully healed. Mr Ong will carefully plan the procedure to adjust the lip area’s projection, shape and volume. He will take into account your individual facial characteristics to determine how much lift will produce a natural result.
Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers is a very popular treatment to enhance and volumise the lips, but the improvement is temporary and also increases the outward projection of the lips at the same time, often resulting in an unnatural appearance.
Mr Juling Ong will usually perform Lip Lift surgery under a local anaesthetic to block the nerves in the area and the operation typically takes less than an hour. A strip of skin is removed under the base of the nose, following the shape of the columella. This is shaped like a bullhorn which is why the procedure is sometimes referred to as a Bullhorn Lift.
Soft tissue at a deeper level is also released so there is less chance of the scar stretching when healed and there is no distortion of the base of the nose. The wound is closed with fine sutures that will need to be removed after a week.
A Lip Lift can be combined with either lip fillers or lipofilling using microcannulas if more lip volume is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lip lift and how does it work?
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that removes a small ellipse of skin from the base of the nose, shortening the distance between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum). This lifts the upper lip, increases the show of the vermilion (the pink lip tissue), and creates a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing lower face. Unlike dermal fillers, a lip lift provides a permanent structural change.
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?
Good candidates are individuals with an elongated philtrum – often, though not exclusively, associated with ageing – who feel the upper lip appears thin, flat, or downturned. A philtrum length of more than 1.5 to 2 cm is often considered the threshold at which a lip lift can make a significant aesthetic difference. The procedure suits both younger patients with congenitally long philtrums and older patients where the lip has dropped with age.
Will a lip lift make my lips bigger?
A lip lift does not increase the volume of the lip in the way a dermal filler does. It increases the visible show of the lip by changing the proportions and position of the upper lip relative to the nose. Many patients find the result looks more natural and proportionate than filler alone, particularly for those who want a subtle and permanent improvement.
Are there any risks to a lip lift?
Possible risks are rare but include infection, delayed healing, asymmetry, poor scarring and distortion of the base of the nose and nostrils.
Is a lip lift painful?
Local anaesthetic injections numb the entire area, so no pain is felt during the procedure. In the first few days after surgery, there will be a moderate degree of discomfort that will be well controlled with over-the-counter painkillers.
Where is the scar for a lip lift?
The incision is placed directly at the base of the nose, within or immediately beneath the natural crease where the nose meets the upper lip. When well-executed, the scar sits in a shadow and becomes difficult to detect at six to twelve months. Mr Juling Ong places the incision precisely within this natural junction.
How is a lip lift different from lip fillers?
Lip fillers add volume and can be adjusted or dissolved; they require ongoing maintenance. A lip lift is a permanent surgical change to lip position and proportion. The two treatments complement each other and may be used together, but they address different aspects of lip aesthetics. Some patients find that a lip lift reduces or eliminates their need for filler.
What is the recovery from a lip lift?
A lip lift is typically performed under local anaesthesia as a day case. There is some bruising and swelling for the first one to two weeks. Eating and speaking may feel slightly uncomfortable in the first few days. Sutures are usually removed at five to seven days. Most patients are comfortable in social settings within two weeks.
During your consultation, Mr Juling Ong will explain all potential risks and discuss your treatment options in full. Please call us on 020 7927 6528 or email us at info@julingong.com to arrange an appointment.
