Lip Lifts

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the upper lip by reducing the distance between the lip and the nose.

Unlike treatments focused on adding lip volume, a surgical lip lift primarily aims to enhance the lip's height and definition. Remarkably, this procedure can even create the illusion of fuller lips without the need for traditional fillers. What sets lip lift surgery apart is its permanent nature, making it an appealing choice for those who prefer a low-maintenance solution, avoiding the periodic upkeep often associated with dermal fillers.

One of the most co​​mmon issues that a lip lift effectively addresses is thinning lips, a concern frequently associated with the natural ageing process. Additionally, it can counteract the effects of a downturned mouth, which is another age-related concern. By opting for a lip lift, you can ‌turn back the clock, rejuvenating the central portion of your face for a more youthful appearance.

Why Do People Have Lip Lift Surgery?

Lip Lift Surgery is designed and performed to address a number of functional and medical concerns, and can also achieve several aesthetic improvements to the lips:

Medical reasons:

• To correct congenital or injury-related changes in lip proportion or symmetry that may affect function or oral balance.

• To reconstruct tissue following trauma, surgery, or significant weight changes.

• To revise the effects of conditions such as facial palsy or cleft lip.

Aesthetic reasons:

• To shorten the distance between the upper lip and nose, creating a more youthful appearance.

• To enhance lip shape and definition while maintaining natural expression.

• To restore facial balance and harmony for a refreshed, proportionate smile.

Who is suitable for lip lift?

At the Altan Tekin Clinic, we evaluate individuals for suitability for this procedure based on the following criteria:

• You are in good overall physical and psychological health.

• You are at or near your ideal body weight, ensuring a stable foundation for the procedure.

• You possess a positive outlook and have realistic expectations regarding the achievable outcomes of the surgery.

• You are seeking a permanent solution to enhance your lip aesthetics.

• You have a gap measuring 15mm or more between your nose and upper lip.

• Your thin lips are either due to the natural ageing process or genetic factors.

• You wish to address ‌down-turned corners of the lips.

• You are interested in an alternative approach to lip enhancement, moving away from the use of traditional lip fillers.

What are the options about lip lift?

We offer a number of different lip lifts; direct lip lift, subnasal bullhorn, central lip lift, corner lip lift and Italian lip lift. We will look at these different techniques in more detail here.

Direct lip lift

The direct lip lift, or more common upper lip lift, procedure is a highly effective method for enhancing the definition of the lip border. During this specialised technique, the surgeon carefully removes a narrow strip of skin located just above the upper lip. This strip of skin is gently lifted, resulting in a more pronounced and well-defined upper lip. Occasionally, this technique is affectionately referred to as the 'gullwing lip lift.' It's important to note that, as with any surgical procedure, there may be a minor scar in the upper lip area following treatment.

Subnasal bullhorn

The subnasal bullhorn lip lift derives its name from the distinctive shape of the incision, which extends along the base of the nose. During this procedure, the surgeon skillfully elevates the central, right, and left portions in an upper lip lift, drawing them upwards toward the nose.

Central lip lift

The central lip lift is primarily focused on reducing the gap between the nose and the upper lip. This procedure involves making an incision at the base of the nose, a technique closely resembling the subnasal bullhorn approach.

Corner lip lift

Treatment recovery after lip lift

Italian lip lift

The corner lip lift is a widely sought-after surgical technique that imparts a more 'upturned' or 'smiley' appearance to the face by lifting the down-turned corners of the lips. This is accomplished through the creation of two small incisions at the corners of the mouth, followed by the careful removal of a small amount of skin. The corner lip lift can also be seamlessly combined with other lip lift procedures to achieve a fuller and more balanced lip aesthetic.

The Italian lip lift is a procedure closely akin to the subnasal bullhorn technique. The key distinction lies in the placement of two incisions beneath each nostril. This approach typically results in minimal to no visible scarring.

After the procedure, you will undergo a monitored recovery period in our ambulatory recovery rooms, typically lasting between two to three hours. Once you regain the ability to eat and drink comfortably and our specialised nursing team confirms your initial recovery progress, you will be cleared to depart from the clinic in the company of a friend or family member.

In the immediate aftermath of surgery, it is common to experience some mild pain and discomfort; however, these sensations will gradually subside. The recovery process for a lip lift is known for its swiftness, with any residual discomfort typically diminishing within a few days.

Approximately one-week post-surgery, you will have a follow-up appointment with our nursing team to assess the incision sites. Additionally, we highly recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our aestheticians to explore any ongoing treatments that may support the healing process if desired.

Finally, a comprehensive check-up will be scheduled at our clinic six weeks after the surgery to ensure your continued progress and satisfaction.

The lip lift gave me a natural, refreshed look—exactly what I hoped for.

Mia K.

I felt comfortable throughout, and the results truly boosted my confidence.

John D.

★★★★★

★★★★★

Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Lift

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the space between your nose and upper lip.

How long is recovery?

Recovery usually takes about one to two weeks, with most swelling and bruising fading during this time.

Are results permanent?

Yes, the results of a lip lift are long-lasting, though natural aging will continue to affect your appearance over time.

Is the procedure painful?

Most patients experience mild discomfort, which is manageable with prescribed pain relief.

Will there be visible scars?

Scars are minimal and usually well-hidden under the nose, fading significantly over time.

Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?

Ideal candidates are healthy adults seeking to enhance their upper lip shape by reducing the distance from nose to lip.

What is the recovery time from lip lift surgery?

The recovery period following a lip lift procedure is relatively brief. We highly recommend dedicating the first 24 hours post-surgery to rest and recuperation, while also avoiding strenuous physical activities and refraining from smoking during the following weeks. For those who smoke, quitting ahead of your lip lift surgery is strongly encouraged.

To ensure the best outcome, we advise gentle care around the lip area, including avoiding sleeping on your face and minimising the extent to which you open your mouth. Using a toothbrush with a smaller head can also be helpful.

You should be able to resume your regular day-to-day activities within approximately seven days following the surgery.

What scarring can be expected from lip lift?

The extent of scarring post-lip lift surgery varies depending on the specific technique employed. Procedures such as the corner lip lift and subnasal bullhorn, which require multiple incisions, may result in more noticeable scars compared to the central lip lift, which involves just one incision. Patients opting for a direct lip lift, where a strip of skin is taken from above the upper lip, may experience a minor scar in the upper lip area.

Our highly skilled surgeons work to minimise the visibility of scars by strategically placing incisions within the body's natural creases and contours wherever possible.

How soon will I see results and are they permanent?

You can anticipate noticing initial improvements in the appearance of your lip lift within a few weeks following the surgery. The results should become increasingly prominent over the course of two to three months post-surgery. If there are any scars present, please keep in mind that these may take up to a year or more to fully mature and fade. The visibility of scars tends to diminish naturally over time.

To ensure the best possible outcome and to minimise the appearance of any scarring, it is crucial to carefully follow all post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon.

The results of a lip lift procedure are permanent.

How much does this treatment cost?

We highly advise quitting smoking in the weeks leading up to your upper lip lift surgery. Medical research has confirmed that smoking can have an impact on anaesthesia. Additionally, the same caution applies to alcohol consumption, so it's essential to abstain from alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours before your scheduled surgery.

In preparation for your procedure, it's important to refrain from taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, for two weeks leading up to the surgery.

Furthermore, on the day of your lip lift surgery, please ensure you do not eat or drink anything for a minimum of six hours before the procedure. These precautions are essential for ensuring a safe and successful surgical experience.

How should I prepare for this treatment?

It's important to note that the overall cost of a lip lift can vary based on individual factors and specific requirements. For instance, costs may be higher when combining a lip lift with another treatment, such as a corner lip lift paired with an additional lip procedure.

Lip lift vs lip fillers

A lip lift provides a lasting solution for individuals with thin lips seeking both definition and volume. In contrast, lip fillers offer only a temporary enhancement, necessitating regular repetitions to maintain results. While lip fillers effectively add volume to thin lips, they do not address the issue of definition. Some individuals may find that the results of lip fillers appear too artificial for their liking.

However, the effects of lip fillers can be readily reversed if a person is dissatisfied with the outcome. Whereas, if a patient is unhappy with the results of an upper lip lift, it would require additional surgical intervention to address and correct any concerns.