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
Is a Lip Lift painful?
Local anaesthetic injections numb the whole area and 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.
What is the recovery like after a Lip Lift?
The area will be swollen initially but that should quickly subside. Mr Juling Ong will advise a soft diet for the first week or so. You will also be advised to avoid any strenuous activities for the first two weeks.
What scarring can you expect after a Lip Lift?
The incision closely follows the shape of the columella and scarring should not be noticeable when healed. It should fully flatten and fade at 12 months.
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.
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.
