What is lip lift?
The goals of this surgery are often to make the vermilion border—the lip’s outline—more prominent, to shorten the space between the top lip and the nose, and to give the lips a fuller, younger appearance.
There are various lip-lifting techniques, such as:
Using the direct lip lift technique, a strip of skin is removed from the region just above the upper lip (under the nose). The lip is then pulled upward by stitching the remaining skin together.
One of the most popular procedures for lip lift surgery is the subnasal or “Bullhorn” lip lift. The procedure includes cutting a strip of skin from right below the nose that is shaped like a pair of bull horns, thus the name. As a result, the lip lifts upward, giving the face a younger appearance.
This treatment is intended to elevate the corners of the mouth. It entails cutting little wedges of skin away from the corners of the mouth.
Italian Lip Lift: This procedure is comparable to the bullhorn lift, except two smaller incisions are done beneath the nose as opposed to one.
The lip is raised to cover the area after a strip of skin is removed from it during the lip advancement surgery. As a result, the lip seems fuller.
Lip lifts usually take 1-2 hours to complete and are done under local anaesthetic. Although recovery rates differ, patients can typically anticipate returning to their regular activities within a week. However, it can take several months before the entire healing and the ultimate effects are apparent.
How long does a lip lift last?
The natural aging process is unaffected by the surgery, despite the fact that the results are long-lasting. Due to the natural aging process, sun exposure, and dietary choices like smoking, your lips may continue to droop and wrinkle over time.
One of a lip lift’s most significant benefits is its long-term results. For instance, lip lifts offer a more long-lasting solution than dermal fillers, which need follow-up procedures every few months to retain their effects. This makes it an appealing choice for anyone looking for a more durable solution to their cosmetic issues with their lips.
Having said that, the success and durability of a lip lift treatment are significantly influenced by the skill and experience of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure. It’s crucial to find a trained doctor who has experience and understands the delicate artistry required for a lip lift treatment. A skilled surgeon can ensure that the procedure enhances the natural beauty of your lips and balances them with the rest of your facial features.
Like any surgical procedure, a lip lift involves potential risks and side effects that could include scarring, asymmetry, and emotional disturbances. You may experience bruising and swelling after the operation, but these adverse effects often go away within two weeks.
A week after surgery, the majority of patients are ready to return to work and their regular routines. Before the full extent of the results can be seen, the surgical site must heal fully, which normally takes several months.
What does a lip lift do?
This brings about an upward movement of the lip, increasing the visibility of the pink portion of the lip, the vermillion.
Let’s delve into the specifics of how a lip lift works and what it can do.
Creating an Ideal Lip to Nose Ratio: One of the key things a lip lift does is that it reduces the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose – an area known as the philtrum. With age, the philtrum often lengthens, making the upper lip appear thinner and causing it to cover more of the teeth. This can give the face a more aged appearance. A lip lift effectively shortens the philtrum, resulting in a more youthful look.
Enhancing Lip Fullness and Shape: A lip lift raises the position of the upper lip, creating a fuller and more defined lip line without the need for injectable fillers. The procedure can reveal more of the upper lip’s pink portion, creating the illusion of volume and enhancing the shape of the mouth. This can balance the facial features and give a more attractive and youthful appearance.
Improving Dental Show: A youthful mouth often shows a few millimeters of the upper teeth when the mouth is open in a relaxed state. With age, the upper lip tends to lengthen and sag, covering more of the upper teeth. A lip lift can help to restore the youthful dental show by lifting the upper lip.
Enhancing the Cupid’s Bow: The Cupid’s Bow is the double curve of the upper lip, which resembles an archer’s bow. A well-defined Cupid’s Bow is often considered a sign of beauty, and a lip lift can enhance the definition of this area, giving the upper lip a more aesthetically pleasing shape.
Permanency: Unlike fillers that require regular top-ups, a lip lift offers a long-lasting, often permanent solution. This makes it a popular choice among those seeking a more defined and youthful-looking mouth without regular trips to the cosmetic clinic.
There are different types of lip lifts, including the direct lip lift, subnasal or ‘Bullhorn’ lip lift, the corner lip lift, the Italian lip lift, and lip advancement. Each type focuses on different areas and provides varying results. The appropriate type of lip lift would depend on the individual’s unique facial anatomy and their specific aesthetic goals.
Is lip lift better than filler?
A lip lift, on the other hand, is a surgical technique that permanently alters the lips’ contour by reshaping the region between the upper lip and the nose, giving them a fuller and younger-looking appearance.
Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of both methods to help you make a better informed choice:
A lip filler
Non-Invasive: Lip fillers are injected with a tiny needle, making the operation non-invasive and quick to recover from. After therapy, you can usually resume your normal activities right away.
Results of lip fillers are temporary; they do not last. The results could last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the filler utilized. Fillers can be a great alternative for people who would like make a less permanent improvement or who want to “test drive” bigger lips before deciding on a lip lift.
Flexibility is offered by fillers because they are just temporary. If the outcomes don’t meet your expectations, they will ultimately fade off or, in some situations, can be undone with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Results practically immediately: After any initial swelling has subsided, the full impact of lip fillers becomes apparent.
Possible drawbacks of lip fillers:
Maintenance: Because the effects of lip fillers are transient, they call for routine maintenance, which over time can be time-consuming and expensive.
Risk of Overfilling: Lip fillers include a risk of overfilling, which can result in an unnatural appearance if not applied by a skilled practitioner.
Lip Lift: Long-Lasting Results A lip lift is a long-lasting way to improve the volume and shape of the lips. Those who are happy with their chosen appearance and do not want to undergo routine procedures may find this permanence appealing.
Lip lifts are intended to enhance the natural contour of the lips rather than adding volume for a more natural appearance. Compared to fillers, they can offer a more youthful appearance that comes naturally.
Improved Tooth Show: Unlike lip fillers, a lip lift can improve tooth show when the mouth is slightly open, giving the face a more youthful aspect.
Possible drawbacks of lip augmentation:
invasive technique An operation like a lip lift requires healing time and has potential surgical hazards include infection, scars, and sensory alterations.
Permanent: Reversing a lip lift is more difficult than waiting for fillers to dissolve if you’re unhappy with the results.
Are lip lifts a good idea?
If you’re looking for a more long-lasting way to enhance the look of your lips, a lip lift can be a great option. This is especially true if you want to shorten the distance between your nose and upper lip, make your lips appear fuller, or make your teeth more visible when your mouth is slightly open.
A lip lift may be advisable for the following reasons:
Long-term Results: The long-term remedy offered by a lip lift differs from temporary lip fillers. As opposed to fillers, if you like the results, you won’t require more procedures.
Improved Lip Fullness and Shape: A lip lift can give the upper lip a fuller, more youthful appearance. Additionally, it can enhance the look of your lips, particularly the Cupid’s bow, without adding extra volume.
Improved Balance: A lip lift can assist to balance your facial features and give you a more youthful appearance by reducing the distance between your nose and top lip.
Improved Self-Esteem: Like any cosmetic operation, a successful lip lift can assist to increase your self-esteem and confidence.
Improved Dental Show: A lip lift might give the desired cosmetic outcome for those who want to display more of their teeth while their mouth is slightly open.
It’s crucial to consider potential drawbacks and hazards, though:
Surgery risks include infection, scars, and changes in feeling, just like with any procedure. You can go through a period of adjustment as you get acclimated to your new appearance.
Downtime: There will be a healing period after a lip lift. You might feel uncomfortable, swollen, or bruised. Most people can go back to work in a week, but it may take several weeks for a full recovery.
Results are unpredictable since everyone’s bodies heal in various ways, even though skilled surgeons can usually predict how the procedure will turn out. There’s a danger that the outcome won’t quite live up to your expectations.
Cost: Lip lifts can be very pricey. Furthermore, as it is a cosmetic operation, insurance often doesn’t cover the cost.
What are the risks of a lip lift?
The dangers and hazards of a lip lift are similar to those of any surgical surgery. Before choosing to have the operation, it’s crucial to have a thorough grasp of these dangers. Here are some possible side effects of a lip lift:
Infection: There is a danger of infection with any surgical procedure. Antibiotics will normally be recommended by your surgeon to help avoid this.
Scarring might result from the incisions needed for a lip lift. Nevertheless, skilled surgeons will employ methods to conceal incisions, such as those beneath the nose, and give aftercare recommendations to minimize scar appearance.
Asymmetry: The surgery could provide asymmetrical results, where one side of the lip is higher or seems different from the other. A skilled surgeon ought to be able to reduce this danger.
Changes in Sensation: After surgery, some patients may have short-term or long-term changes in sensation, such as numbness or tingling in the area around the top lip.
Unsatisfactory Results: The aesthetic outcome might not live up to your expectations. Individual healing processes and surgical approach, for example, can have an impact on the result.
After surgery, there will likely be some bleeding and bruises, but in extremely rare circumstances, there may be significant bleeding.
Although uncommon, there is always a chance that the anaesthetic used during the treatment will have an unfavorable effect.
Delayed Healing: Following surgery, some patients may experience a slow or delayed recovery. This may be caused by a number of things, such as general bad health, smoking, or using specific medications.
Who is suitable for lip lift?
A lip lift is a cosmetic procedure, and the ideal candidates are typically individuals who wish to alter the appearance of their lips or the area between the upper lip and the nose for aesthetic reasons. You might be a suitable candidate for a lip lift if:
You’re in Good General Health: As with any surgical procedure, candidates for a lip lift should be in good overall health. Certain health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or cardiovascular issues, could increase surgical risks or impact the healing process.
You Have a Long Philtrum: The philtrum is the area between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip. If you feel that this area is too long, a lip lift can shorten it to provide a more balanced facial appearance.
You Desire More Tooth Show: A lip lift can enhance the visibility of the upper teeth when the mouth is slightly open, giving a more youthful appearance.
You’re Looking for Permanent Enhancement: If you’re seeking a more permanent solution than fillers to enhance the fullness and shape of your lips, a lip lift might be a suitable choice.
You Have Realistic Expectations: It’s important to have realistic expectations about what a lip lift can achieve. While it can enhance your appearance, it’s not going to give you a perfect look or solve any underlying self-esteem issues.
You’re a Non-smoker or Willing to Quit: Smoking can affect your body’s healing process and increase the risk of complications. It’s typically recommended to quit smoking before and after any surgical procedure.
Does lip lift leave a scar?
Any incision in the skin that is made during a surgical operation, such as a lip lift, has the potential to result in a scar. But expert surgeons use methods to reduce scarring and make it as undetectable as feasible.
Traditionally, the incision for a lip lift is made along the base of the nose. The resulting scar is less apparent since it can be covered in the wrinkles of the nose and the natural contours of the face in this region.
It’s possible to see redness or a scar right away after the surgery and for a few weeks after that. However, the scar usually dramatically lightens and sometimes even disappears over time. The following variables will affect the scar’s precise appearance:
the particular surgical procedure employed.
the surgeon’s expertise and experience.
The unique healing process of the patient, which may be influenced by elements like age, skin type, genetics, and general health.
Postoperative care, including how well the patient complies with the doctor’s recommendations for aftercare.
By minimizing sun exposure, quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, and meticulously adhering to their surgeon’s post-operative care instructions, patients can help reduce scarring.
