SurgicalDraft — pending clinician review
Lip lift
A lip lift removes a small strip of skin just under the nose to shorten the philtrum and roll the upper lip slightly outward. Unlike filler, it changes the lip's position rather than its volume, and it involves a scar hidden at the base of the nose.
What it is designed to change
- The distance between the nose and the upper lip
- The amount of visible pink upper lip
- Tooth show at rest, in some cases
What it does not change
- Lower lip shape or volume
- Lip volume itself — that is filler or fat-transfer territory
- Smile mechanics in most cases, though this deserves discussion
Typical candidate considerations
- Philtrum length and existing tooth show guide candidacy
- Scar quality varies between individuals
- Often discussed as an alternative to repeated filler when length, not volume, is the concern
Common alternatives
- Lip filler (temporary volume rather than lift)
- No treatment
Questions to ask a clinician
- Is my concern lip length or lip volume?
- How many millimeters of skin would be removed?
- Where exactly does the scar sit, and how visible does it typically stay?
- How would this affect my smile and nostril base?
General recovery stages
- First days: swelling and tightness of the upper lip
- First weeks: stitches removed per plan; scar is initially pink
- Months: the scar typically matures and fades gradually
Potential risks and limitations
- Visible or widened scarring
- Asymmetry
- Over- or under-correction
- Changes to nostril base shape
Factors that affect price
- Surgeon experience with the specific technique
- Geographic market
- Local versus sedation anesthesia
Practical notes
- Durability
- Generally long-lasting, though tissues continue to age and can lengthen slowly over time.
- Reversibility
- Not reversible — removed skin cannot be restored.
- Anesthesia
- Frequently performed under local anesthesia.
- When to seek urgent care
- After a real procedure, spreading redness, drainage, or fever warrant contacting the surgical team.
PlasticsForMe provides educational information and conceptual visualizations only. It is not medical advice, does not predict surgical results, and does not replace consultation with a licensed clinician.
This guide is draft editorial content. It has not yet completed clinician review, contains no statistics by design, and will list its author, reviewer, and sources when published under our editorial policy.