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What is an Upper Lip Lift?

The mouth and perioral area play a primary role in the emotional expression and beauty of the face. Aging around the mouth typically starts in a person’s 30s and involves loss of volume in the skeletal structure, midfacial fat pads, and subcutaneous fat which leads to soft tissue descent and loss of projection. 

Most people will recognize that the pink parts of their lips lose volume as they age, and filler can be a great option to restore some of this volume loss within the lip. However, the upper lip undergoes more changes than just volume loss from the pink lip, and ensuring this is properly assessed, will allow for the most natural results when addressing rejuvenation for the lips and perioral area. 

As we age, the skin between the nose and upper lip lengthens. The elongation of the cutaneous upper lip often coincides with other signs of aging, such as loss of definition of the cupid’s bow and philtral ridges, the change from a once youthful concave upper lip shape to a straight or convex upper lip shape on profile, decreased upper dental show, and loss of upper lip projection. 

An upper lip lift is a surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance of the upper lip by shortening the distance between the nose and the upper lip, allowing for more dental show, enhancing the amount of pink lip that shows, and creating a more balanced and youthful facial profile. 

What to Expect During Your Lip Lift Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Lipin will conduct a thorough evaluation of your facial structure and discuss your desired outcome. She will assess the proportion and position of your upper lip in relation to the rest of your face and she will also study how the upper lip appears in relation to the teeth in repose and while emoting, to determine the most appropriate technique for your individual needs.

Dr. Lipin’s extensive skill and knowledge allow her to perform the most refined upper lip lift techniques that result in a more youthful, balanced upper lip and face that looks natural at rest and with animation.

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Technique for Upper Lip Lift

Dr. Lipin factors the patient’s individual anatomy such as lip length, shape, and symmetry to achieve natural-looking results. The incisions are carefully planned and made along a natural crease at the base of the nose. Dr. Lipin dissects and resuspends the deeper layers of the upper lip, so that tension is minimized on the skin closure, and results in an elegantly elevated and everted upper lip with the most discreet scar. Often an upper lip lift is performed with other procedures, such as a facelift, for total facial rejuvenation, but can also be performed as an independent procedure. 

Dr. Lipin’s Expertise

Dr. Lipin’s extensive education, advanced training, and experience in facial plastic surgery make her a highly skilled and trusted provider for upper lip lift procedures. She is dedicated to delivering natural and aesthetically pleasing results, helping patients achieve their desired lip appearance and overall facial harmony.

Lip Lift Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Ideal candidates for an upper lip lift are individuals who are dissatisfied with the length or appearance of their upper lip and desire a more youthful and balanced facial profile. Common concerns that an upper lip lift can address include a long cutaneous upper lip, lack of upper dental show, a straight or convex shape of the upper lip on profile, and an unbalanced facial appearance due to the proportions of the upper lip. 

Candidates for an upper lip lift should be in good physical and emotional health, non-smokers or willing to quit smoking before the procedure, and have realistic expectations about the potential outcomes and recovery process. Dr. Lipin and her team will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan and ensure a successful upper lip lift surgery.

Lip lift surgery takes around one hour. Afterward, the stitches are removed within seven days, and the scar is virtually undetectable.

Upper lip lift surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation. This combination ensures your comfort throughout the procedure, and you will be closely monitored by a board-certified anesthesiologist to ensure your safety.

Dr. Lipin performs upper lip lift surgeries at Northside Hospital Midtown, a state-of-the-art surgical facility. The surgery will be conducted in an operating room, providing a sterile, safe, and controlled environment for the procedure.

The recovery process following an upper lip lift can vary from patient to patient, but most individuals can expect to resume most normal activities within a week. Sutures are removed between day 5 and 7. It is common to experience some swelling and tightness for the first few weeks following the procedure. Dr. Lipin and her team will provide you with post-operative care instructions to promote optimal healing and minimize any discomfort during the recovery period.