What is a Lip lift?
A lip lift commonly refers to an “upper lip lift”, a surgical procedure that raises the upper lip to create a more youthful, relaxed smile. However, there are two types of lip lifts:
Upper Lip Lift
An upper lip lift shortens the distance between your upper lip and the base of the nose. This increases the amount of visible “pink lip”, exposing more teeth, and creating fuller, more youthful-looking lips.
Corner Lip Lift
A corner lip lift focuses on the corners of your mouth and is designed for those who feel as though they have a permanent frown.
What Issues Can a Lip Lift Fix?
My upper lip covers my teeth too much, and I want my upper lip to look fuller.
A lip lift can address several concerns, such as:
Upper lip lift
- Teeth do not show when smiling
- Long space (greater than 1.5 cm) between the nose and upper lip
- Thin, flat lips
- Fillers result in "duck lips"
Corner lip lift
- Permanent frown
- Downturned corners of the mouth
Who benefits from an upper lip lift?
Anyone with a long space above their upper lip can benefit from an upper lip lift. Some people are born with a longer space, while others begin to notice it more with age.
Regardless of age, an upper lip lift shortens that space, enhancing both the upper lip and the smile. Even patients in their twenties see great results.
In addition, patients who experience "duck lips" from lip filler injections will see a vast improvement with a lip lift instead. After a lip lift, fillers will no longer create that effect.
Can lips be lifted with fillers instead?
Fillers can enhance lips, but they won't lift them as effectively as a lip lift.
If the space above the upper lip is too long, fillers push the lip outward instead of lifting it, creating a "duck lips" appearance. These patients are better suited for a lip lift. Once the lip is lifted, fillers can be used for added volume.
How much space is too long?
The ideal distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip varies by gender. For women, it's usually around 1.0 to 1.2 cm. For men, this space is typically longer, around 1.3 to 1.5 cm.
How is a Lip lift performed?
Lip lift procedures are performed in the office under local anesthesia. No IV sedation is needed, as the area is fully numbed. The procedure takes about 90 minutes.
Upper lip lift surgery
Dr. Rodriguez performs the upper lip lift by excising a small strip of skin at the base of your nose and elevating the lip to its new position.
His technique involves lifting only the skin without cutting muscles or nerves, ensuring a more natural result.
Corner lip lift surgery
Dr. Rodriguez removes a small wedge of skin from each corner of the mouth and lifts the corners slightly using dissolvable sutures. This procedure, often called "smile surgery," works similarly to the upper lip lift but focuses on the corners of the mouth.
Both procedures are subtle and, when performed correctly, don't affect your ability to show a normal range of facial expressions.
I am thrilled with my results. The scar is barely noticeable and my lips look amazing.
What are the preoperative requirements?
No pre-op testing is required for either the upper lip lift or the corner lip lift, as both are performed with local anesthesia. However, you should:
- Quit smoking 2 weeks before the procedure
- Stop taking aspirin 2 weeks before the procedure
What is Lip lift Post-Op recovery like?
After the lip lift procedure, you can go home to recover. For the first few days, stick to soft foods, and plan to return to work within 3-4 days. However, swelling and tightness may persist for a few weeks.
Since dissolvable sutures are used, you won’t need to return for removal. If you’re traveling from out of town, plan to stay in Baltimore for at least one night after the surgery.
During the first two weeks, expect some redness around the incision. If redness continues, apply an over-the-counter steroid cream. The scar under your nose will fade over time.
Love Dr. Rodriguez & he is excellent at the lip lift.
What are the risks and possible complications?
Though lip lifts generally provide good results, you should be aware of potential risks and complications, including:
- Uneven or asymmetrical lips after healing
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Infection
- Keloid in (in rare cases)
- Scar revision surgery (if necessary)
How much does a Lip lift cost?
The cost of a lip lift depends on the type of procedure and surgical specifics. Prices for lift surgery performed under local anesthesia in 2024 are:
| Type of Lip lift | 2024 Price |
|---|---|
| Upper lip lift | $3,500 |
| Corner lip lift | $2,800 |
| Upper lip lift with Corner lip lift | $5,000 |
Can I finance my Lip lift?
Yes, financing options are available to help manage the cost of your lip lift. Call us at 410-404-8100 or see our financing page for more information.
Ready to explore what's possible? I invite you to schedule a personal consultation, where we can talk about your goals, answer your questions, and create a plan that's uniquely yours.
My experience with Dr. Rodriguez has been exceptional! I am over the moon happy with the results.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Together, we'll find the perfect approach to help you look and feel your best.
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Board Certified Plastic Surgery, ASPS Member
NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.