Lip Lift

Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in Edison, Marlboro, Warren and West Orange, NJ

Lip Lift

The lips play a significant role in the overall aesthetics of your face, and their shape and proportion can greatly influence your look. Associates in Plastic Surgery offers lip lift procedures that enhance the lips and achieve a more youthful appearance to patients in Edison, Marlboro, Warren, and West Orange, New Jersey. Our board-certified plastic surgeons can enhance the prominence and fullness of your lips, correct age-related elongation of the upper lip, or refine the balance between your lips and other facial features. This procedure not only offers cosmetic enhancement but also boosts self-confidence for many patients.

Before and After Photos

Lip Lift Before & After Patient #3657
Lip Lift Before & After Patient #3657
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What it is

A lip lift is a specialized facial plastic surgery that shortens the space between the top of the upper lip and the base of the nose, known as the philtrum.1 By removing a small strip of skin, the upper lip is lifted to a more aesthetically pleasing position, often resulting in a fuller and more youthful appearance.

Benefits

  • Enhanced Lip Aesthetics: Provides a more defined lip line and greater lip exposure.
  • Youthful Appearance: Reducing the length of the philtrum can make the face appear younger.
  • Permanent Results: Offers a long-term solution for achieving aesthetic goals.
  • Minimal Scarring: Incisions are typically hidden under the nose.
  • Quick Recovery: The recovery period is relatively short.

Ideal candidates

Ideal candidates are individuals with a long upper lip or those who feel their upper lip is less prominent. Candidates should be in good general health, non-smokers, or willing to quit smoking, as smoking can affect the healing process. It is also important to have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the surgery.

Types of lifts

Direct or gull-wing lip lift

This technique involves removing an M-shaped strip of skin directly above the upper lip, which shortens the vertical space between the nose and the lip, enhancing the lip contour and cupid’s bow.2

Subnasal bullhorn lip lift

An incision is made along the base of the nose in a bullhorn pattern. This lifts the central part of the upper lip closer to the nose, accentuating the cupid’s bow and making the upper lip appear fuller.3

Central lip lift

This procedure focuses on elevating the central section of the upper lip, particularly enhancing the cupid’s bow by removing a small amount of skin from above the central part of the upper lip.

Modified lip lift

An advanced version of the traditional subnasal lip lift that adjusts deeper layers beneath the skin, targeting the muscular structure and connective tissues for a more comprehensive lift.

Corner lip lift

Designed to address downturned corners of the mouth, this technique involves making small incisions at the corners of the mouth to lift and reattach the skin, resulting in a more upward and cheerful appearance.4

Male lip lift

Tailored specifically for men, this procedure adjusts the height and contour of the upper lip to create a more defined and proportionate look without feminizing the face.

Preparing

Preparation includes a consultation to discuss your cosmetic surgery goals and expectations. Patients should avoid medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, for a couple of weeks before surgery. Smoking cessation for at least eight weeks is crucial to ensure proper healing.

Procedure

The lip lift is an outpatient surgical procedure that is typically performed under local anesthesia and takes about 1-2 hours. The surgeon will make a small incision beneath the nose or at the corners of the mouth, depending on the technique used. Excess skin is removed, and the lip is lifted to its new position. The incision is then closed with sutures that minimize scarring.

Recovery

Recovery involves mild discomfort and swelling for the first few days. Sutures are usually removed within a week. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within a week, although strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks.

Consultation

For those in Edison, Marlboro, Warren, and West Orange, New Jersey, considering a lip lift, our board-certified plastic surgeons at Associates in Plastic Surgery are committed to achieving beautiful, natural-looking results that complement your overall facial features while ensuring a comfortable and supportive experience throughout the process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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FAQs

How Long Do The Results Of A Lip Lift Last?

The results are permanent, although the natural aging process may affect the longevity of the results.

Is A Lip Lift Painful?

Patients typically experience minimal pain during and after lip lift procedure, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers.

Can A Lip Lift Be Reversed?

A lip lift is considered permanent, but adjustments can sometimes be made by cosmetic surgeons if necessary. It is crucial to have realistic expectations and discuss these thoroughly before undergoing surgery.

How Noticeable Will The Scar Be?

Lip lift procedures result in a scar, but they are nearly invisible and well-hidden under the nose or along the vermilion border and fade significantly over time with proper care.5

Does Lip Filler Offer The Same Results As A Lip Lift Procedure?

Lip Fillers add volume to the lips and are ideal for individuals with naturally thin lips. A lip lift, however, modifies the distance between the upper lip and the nose, enhancing the visibility of the upper teeth and redefining the lip’s shape. While fillers are temporary, a lip lift provides a permanent change to the lip’s position and shape.

Can I Combine Any Other Procedures With Lip Lift Surgery?

Yes, during your consultation, a personalized treatment plan can be crafted to include additional procedures for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, such as Facelifts, Neck Lifts, Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty, and non-surgical cosmetic procedures like Laser Skin Resurfacing and Botox.

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic. Lip lift. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/lip-lift. Accessed June 6, 2024.
  2. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Different Techniques and Quantitative Measurements in Upper lip lift: A Systematic Review. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9976673/. Accessed June 6, 2024.
  3. PRS Global Open. Surgical Method of a Corner Mouth Lift. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7159959/. Accessed June 6, 2024.
  4. 5 ASPS. Lip service: A deep dive into the world of lip lifts and other lip augmentation procedures. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/lip-service-a-deep-dive-into-the-world-of-lip-lifts-and-other-lip-augmentation-procedures#. Accessed June 6, 2024.