Upper Lip LIft
What is an Upper Lip Lift?
An upper lip lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the position of the upper lip to create a more youthful and relaxed smile. The procedure is designed to shorten the distance between the nose and the red vermilion of the upper lip . It involves removal of a few millimeters of skin just at the nose/upper lip junction. It can increase the size of your lips if you have thin lips or have signs of aging. A lip lift increases the vermilion portion of the upper lip and reduces the distance between the lip and the nose (the lip-to-nose ratio).
Dr. Karaca performs the lip lift as an office procedure, under local anesthesia. Though it can take about 7-10 days to heal, the results of a lip lift are dramatic and well worth it. No skin sutures are used and the surface is sealed with surgical glue to minimize the scar.
Candidates for A Lip Lift
As a person ages, the upper lip may lengthen and the pink-red vermilion might be reduced to a thin line (We call that losing your lip). The procedure restores a more youthful appearance.
For a lip lift, we look for a distance between the nose and the upper lip of greater than 1.8 cm. Less than this and you may only realize a small change or improvement.
Lip Lift Recovery
There is a 7 to 10 day healing period where the incision is quite visible. After this, makeup can be applied to camouflage the area. As the swelling subsides, the lip should look natural. Incisions under the nose heal with a minimal scar.
Upper Lip Lift Risks
You should avoid a lip lift if you are slow to recover or heal from a wound. Other potential risks are excessive shortening, relapse, inadequate vermillion showing, asymmetry, and sensation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Upper Lip Lift?
An Upper Lip Lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the position of the upper lip to create a more youthful and relaxed smile.
How old do I need to be to have an Upper Lip Lift?
Patients of all ages can benefit from the Upper Lip Lift procedure. Some candidates are born with a long space above the upper lip while other candidates acquire this look with age. No matter what your age, this procedure is designed to shorten the space above the upper lip. Even patients in their twenties undergo this procedure with fantastic results.
What is the difference between lip fillers and a lip lift?
An upper lip lift will permanently correct lip asymmetry, irregular or low lip placement, and disproportionate lips. The surgical procedure will subtly add volume to thinning upper lips and reduce the distance between your upper lip and nose. The combination of these two efforts can make you look years younger. Lip fillers are quick, temporary and require very little downtime. You do not need to worry about scarring or making any permanent changes to your face. Lip fillers will fade away in about eight months.