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A lip lift is an operation that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip. A strip of skin is removed along the crease under the nose, and the upper lip is lifted and slightly turned outwards. The result is a shorter, better-defined upper lip that shows more of the pink lip and, at rest, a little of the upper front teeth, as it did at a younger age. It is also called a subnasal or bullhorn lip lift, after the shape of the skin removed.
As we age, the upper lip lengthens and thins. The pink part of the lip rolls inwards, the skin between the nose and lip stretches, and the upper teeth become less visible at rest. In some people the upper lip is naturally long from an early age. Many try to correct this with fillers, but when the underlying issue is length, adding volume often makes the lip look heavy or duck-like rather than youthful.
Signs that a lip lift may suit you
- a long upper lip, often more than about 15 millimetres from the base of the nose to the edge of the lip
- little or no upper teeth showing when the mouth is relaxed and slightly open
- a thin upper lip that has rolled inwards
- a feeling that the lower face looks older or flatter than the rest
- previous fillers that made the lip bigger without improving its shape
Measuring the lip is part of the consultation. The ideal length varies with height, gender and face shape, and the amount of tooth that shows is assessed with your lips relaxed.
How a lip lift is performed
The operation is usually done under local anaesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, and takes about forty-five minutes to an hour.
- Marking. The skin to be removed is marked along the natural crease beneath the nose. The shape follows the base of the nostrils, curving at each end, which is why it is called a bullhorn.
- Removal. A strip of skin, usually between three and five millimetres wide at its centre, is removed. The underlying muscle is left intact or lightly handled.
- Deep support. Deep stitches anchor the lip to the firm tissue beneath the nose, so that the tension is carried by the deeper layers and not the skin.
- Closure. The skin is closed with fine stitches in the crease under the nose.
Supporting the lift with deep stitches is one of the most important details. If the skin carries the tension, the scar widens and the lift can relax.
Other lip lift techniques
| Technique | Incision | Effect | Scar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subnasal (bullhorn) lift | Crease under the nose | Shortens the upper lip, shows more lip and teeth | Hidden in the nasal crease |
| Corner lip lift | Small triangles at the mouth corners | Lifts downturned corners | At the mouth corners |
| Direct lip lift (gull wing) | Along the edge of the red lip | Sharpens the lip border | Along the lip border, more visible |
| Lip filler | None | Adds volume to the lip | None, temporary |
The subnasal lift is the most commonly chosen because the scar is best hidden. A corner lift can be added when the mouth corners turn down.
Lip lift or lip filler?
Dermal fillers add volume to the lip. They are useful for a thin lip with normal length. When the upper lip is long, filler adds bulk but does not change the proportion, and repeated filler can stretch the lip further. A lip lift changes the length and the way the lip sits. Some patients combine the two: a lip lift for proportion and a small amount of filler, or fat transfer, for fullness once healing is complete.
What a good result looks like
A successful lip lift is subtle. People usually notice that you look fresher or that your smile has changed slightly, without being able to say why. The upper lip should still look like your lip: slightly fuller, with a clearer outline, and sitting a few millimetres higher. At rest, a small strip of the upper teeth, usually two to three millimetres in women and a little less in men, may show between the lips. The lip should close comfortably, and when you smile it should not ride up excessively over the gums. Over-correction, which gives a permanently parted or “surprised” upper lip, is the result to avoid, and it is why the amount lifted is measured carefully rather than estimated.
Who is not a good candidate?
A lip lift may not be suitable if your upper lip is already short, if your upper teeth show a lot at rest, if you have a very short distance between the nose and lip, or if you are prone to thick or raised scars. People who smoke need to stop, as it affects healing of the skin. Because the scar sits near the nose, the lip lift is often discussed alongside rhinoplasty when both the nose and lip are being considered.
Preparing for surgery
Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers and blood-thinning supplements about two weeks before, after speaking to your doctor. Stop smoking at least four weeks before and after surgery. If you have had lip filler, let us know when, as recent filler can make measurements less accurate; in some cases it is dissolved beforehand. If you are prone to cold sores, antiviral medication may be prescribed to prevent an outbreak after surgery.
Recovery
- Days 1–3: the lip feels tight and swollen; it may look over-lifted at first. Cold compresses help. Soft food, a straw can be useful.
- Days 5–7: stitches removed. Swelling improving. Many people return to work.
- Weeks 2–4: the lip relaxes into a more natural position. Avoid stretching the lip and wide smiles for about two weeks.
- Months 1–3: the scar is pink and may be slightly firm. Scar care and sun protection are recommended.
- Months 3–6: the scar fades and softens; the final shape is visible.
Temporary stiffness when smiling, numbness of the upper lip and difficulty whistling are common in the first weeks and resolve.
Risks
Possible risks include a visible or widened scar, asymmetry, over- or under-correction, temporary numbness, infection, and, uncommonly, an upper lip that feels tight or does not close comfortably over the teeth. A scar that thickens can often be improved with steroid injections or revision. Planning a conservative lift reduces the chance of over-correction, which is harder to fix than under-correction.
Lip lift in Istanbul
A lip lift fits well into a short visit. Plan to stay five to seven days so the stitches can be removed before you fly. Wear sunscreen or keep the scar covered during travel.
Dr. Mehmet Özdemir is a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon holding the EBOPRAS qualification, trained in Germany, Poland and Brazil. He practises in Bakırköy, Istanbul, and consults in Turkish, Kurdish, English and German. He measures the lip at rest and when smiling, assesses how much tooth shows and discusses whether a lift, filler or a combination will give the result you are after.
