LIP LIFT

Lip Lift is a surgical procedure that involves removing a small portion of skin under the nose in order to shorten the area between the base of the nose and the top of the lip. A lift lip should expose more of the vermilion border, making lips appear fuller and more youthful. A lift lip can also roll the vermilion border up slightly, giving more definition and revealing more of patient’s teeth, an effect known as “tooth show”.

Eyes and mouth are the two main areas someone focuses when looking at a face, so lips play a very important role in how others perceive you. The relation of the upper lip to the nose determines the relationship and harmony between the lower and the middle face. Furthermore, aging is related to the appearance of the lips, with the distance between the base of the nose and the vermilion increasing as we age.

The procedure

Not all patients’ needs are the same, that is why Lip Lift is a highly customizable surgical procedure. Differences in facial anatomy, upper to lower lip ratio, length of the mouth, fullness and shape of the lips are some of the parameters that enter the equation when planning for a Lip Lift.

Lip Lift is performed under local anesthesia. The procedure lasts approximately one hour and it leaves a discreet scar under the base of the nose that heals in a few months. The classic Lip Lift can be combined with a Corner Lip Lift, an additional procedure that raises the corners of the mouth by removing a small portion of skin from the corners of the mouth.

Pros

  • A Lip Lift is a permanent way to create fuller lips.

  • It is a relatively simple facial plastic surgical procedure that is done under local anesthesia. 

  • Since it lifts tissue, rather than adding volume, a Lip Lift won’t give the “duck lips” that can sometimes happen with fillers. 

  • Lip Lift can restore harmony to facial features while at the same time enhance lip shape and expose more of patient’s upper teeth.

Cons

  • Lip Lift is a surgical procedure and the results can not easily be reversed. 

  • Since more of patient’s upper teeth will be revealed, teeth associated conditions, such as discolorations, unevennesses, etc should be addressed before opting for a Lip Lift. 

  • Although the remaining scar is discreet, it will never go away completely. 

Who is a good candidate for Lip Lift?

Patients choose Lip Lift for different reasons. Every patient has her own needs; most common reasons to opt for a Lip Lift are: 

  • A long lip: Some patients have a longer than average lip and can benefit from the procedure. In these cases, however, precise planning is crucial in order to have a natural outcome.

  • An aging mouth: The amount of skin between the bottom of the nose and the top of the upper lip lengthens with age, making lips look smaller and low positioned. Lip Lift is the ultimate solution since it gives a fresh look to the mouth and an overall youthful appearance. 

  • Patients who do not want fillers: The use of fillers is associated with adding volume. A lot of patients are completely against pumping the lips. Lip lift can make lips more define, better shaped and better positioned without adding volume. 

  • Patients wanting to show more teeth: Exposing more of the upper teeth can make older patients look younger. Lip Lift can give amazing results, especially when combined with cosmetic dentistry. 

Alternatives to a Lip Lift:

Although Lip lift has distinctive advantages, not all patients are willing to go through surgery. Those patients should consider a combination of botox and lip augmentation procedures. 

  • Botox Lip Flip: BTX is a non surgical, non permanent, and therefore reversible, way to selectively lift portions of the lip border. Dr Pagkalos uses microdoses of BTX (Dysport®) in order to relax the muscles in the upper lip, making the vermilion appear larger and more pouty. As with all BTX treatments, results are not permanent. Botox Lip Flip is expected to last up to three months.

  • Lip Augmentation: Lip augmentation can be achieved with either Hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvéderm® or Restylane®), fat transfer or lip implants. Dr Pagkalos method of choice is Hyaluronic acid fillers, since it is a safe, fast and straightforward procedure that can give impressive, yet natural results.