Lip fillers have become a popular solution for lip enhancement and rejuvenation. When used on the right patients with the appropriate materials and techniques, fillers can achieve excellent results by adding volume and definition. However, in some cases, a surgical lip lift is necessary to address more advanced issues such as sagging or elongation of the upper lip.

While lip fillers can sometimes be combined with a lip lift to enhance volume, a properly performed lip lift surgery often reduces the need for fillers. The lip lift procedure focuses on repositioning the lip to shorten the distance between the nose and the lip, creating a more youthful and fuller appearance. This can make the lips look more balanced and naturally lifted without the need for excessive volume from fillers.

What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to elevate the upper lip by removing a small strip of skin between the nose and upper lip. This reduces the length of the philtrum (the area between the upper lip and the nose) and creates a more youthful appearance by exposing more of the pink part of the lip (vermilion), making the lips look fuller and more defined. It also enhances the overall proportions of the face.

Who Is a Candidate for Lip Lift Surgery?

A lip lift is ideal for individuals who:

• Have a long distance between the nose and upper lip.
• Want to enhance the definition of their lips without excessive volume.
• Are seeking more permanent results compared to fillers.
• Have sagging or drooping lips due to aging.

Lip Lift vs. Fillers:

• Lip Lift Surgery: Targets repositioning of the lip for a more permanent solution to elongation or drooping, improving the overall proportions of the face. It reduces the need for fillers and offers long-lasting results.
• Lip Fillers: Focuses on adding volume and definition to the lips. Fillers provide temporary results and are ideal for patients who do not require repositioning of the lips but want to enhance fullness.

Conclusion:

Lip lift surgery can offer a more natural and long-lasting enhancement compared to fillers, especially for patients who have experienced elongation or sagging of the upper lip with age. When performed by an experienced surgeon, it restores balance and youthfulness to the face, reducing the need for additional treatments like fillers.

Lip lift surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, making it a relatively comfortable procedure for the patient. There are several techniques for performing a lip lift, but the most common approach involves making a precise incision along the lower boundary of the nose (often called a “bullhorn” or “subnasal” incision). This incision allows the surgeon to release the upper lip tissues and elevate the lip to the desired level, reducing the distance between the lip and the nose.

Procedure Steps:

1. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area, ensuring the patient feels minimal discomfort during the procedure.
2. Incision: A small incision is made along the base of the nose, where the scar will be naturally concealed.
3. Elevation of the Lip: The surgeon carefully removes a small strip of skin and tissue to lift the upper lip, creating a more youthful and fuller appearance. The distance between the nose and the lip is shortened.
4. Sutures: Fine stitches are placed along the incision line to close the wound. These stitches help ensure proper healing and minimize visible scarring.

Post-Operative Care:

After the surgery, patients are advised to apply ice to the area for a few days to reduce swelling and use topical creams to aid in healing. Although the procedure is quite comfortable for patients, mild side effects such as numbness, swelling, and slight bruising around the lips can occur during the first week following the surgery.

Stitches are typically removed 7-10 days after the procedure. Like all surgeries, the final results become more apparent over time, with full results typically visible after 4-6 months. The incision scar under the nose will gradually fade and become barely noticeable within 6-12 months.

Benefits of Lip Lift Surgery:

• Permanent Results: Unlike temporary fillers, a lip lift provides long-lasting results by repositioning the lip.
• Minimal Scarring: The incision is strategically placed under the nose, making any scarring minimal and often undetectable after full healing.
• Enhanced Lip Definition: The procedure enhances the shape and definition of the lips, reducing the need for additional volume-enhancing treatments like fillers.

In suitable patients, when performed with the right technique, lip lift surgery delivers highly successful and lasting results. As mentioned earlier, while lip fillers and other treatments can be combined with a lip lift, the need for these treatments is usually greatly reduced after surgery.