When it comes to facial aesthetics, our lips are one of our most important facial features. Aside from their shape and fullness, one of the key attributes of beautiful lips is the amount of “tooth show” that is present. Many patients are bothered by an upper lip that extends down too far, blocks their upper teeth, and affects the attractiveness of their smile.
In patients with a long upper lip, lip lift surgery can help. Here at W Cosmetic Surgery, we pleased to offer lip lifts to patients in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas who want to feel more confident and youthful when they smile.
- What is a Lip Lift?
- Lip Lift Surgery Results
- Benefits of Lip Lifts
- Good Candidates for Lip Lifts
- What to Expect During a Lip Lift Consultation
- The Lip Lift Procedure vs. Fillers
- The Lip Lift Procedure
- Recovering from Lip Lift Surgery
- Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Enhancement and Lip Augmentation
- Why Choose W Cosmetic Surgery for Lip Enhancement?
- Schedule a Lip Lift Consultation
What is a Lip Lift?
The purpose of a lip lift is to raise the top lip and create a more attractive smile. It can resolve issues such as thin or flat lips, a long upper lip, turned-down corners of the mouth, and/or teeth that do not show when the mouth is a bit open or a person is smiling. Aging, genetics, and lifestyle all play a role in the length of the upper lip, so a lift lip may be an anti-aging procedure in older patients or a contouring procedure in younger patients. Each lip enhancement plastic surgery at our office is customized to meet the patient’s unique needs.
Lip Lift Surgery Results
A lip lift and enhancement procedures differ based on the issue and the unique treatment option selected. Some typical results of a lip lift procedure are featured in our gallery.
Benefits of Lip Lifts
Lip lift surgery offers a variety of benefits to patients, both cosmetic and psychological. Perhaps, the most obvious benefit is fuller, more youthful-looking lips. Lip lifts may also help to lift the corner of the mouth on both sides, improve the length and shape of the lips, create a more prominent lip line, and reduce fine lines on the upper lip. The procedure can also do wonders for a patient’s smile by showing off their teeth. After undergoing a lip lift, many patients report feeling younger and more confident. While lip lifts are simple procedures, they can be just what some patients need to go from looking fine to looking and feeling great.
Good Candidates for Lip Lifts
At W Cosmetic we recommend lip lifts for patients who have lost volume in their lips as a result of the aging process or for those who were born with thin lips that bother them. This procedure may also be beneficial for patients with a very long upper lip, minimal to no “red” portion of the lip tissue, and/or lips that conceal the teeth when they smile.
Patients should be non-smokers, in good health overall, and have realistic expectations. During a consultation at W Cosmetic Surgery in Philadelphia, we can determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for a lip lift.
What to Expect During a Lip Lift Consultation
A lip lift consultation begins with Dr. Wulc reviewing the patient’s medical history, evaluating their existing lip tissue, and learning about their aesthetic goals. If he believes a lip lift is a good option, he will thoroughly explain the procedure and answer any questions the patient may have. He may also share before and after pictures so that the patient knows what to expect. Dr. Wulc may also suggest complementary cosmetic surgery procedures to help patients meet their goals.
The Lip Lift Procedure vs. Fillers
We have discovered that many patients who are displeased with the shape and volume of their lips assume that lip augmentation with fillers can help them. The truth is that lip fillers are not always the ideal solution to cosmetic issues of the lips. To determine what procedure may be right for an individual patient, we encourage them to perform a simple test by relaxing their bottom jaw so that their mouth opens slightly. Here’s what they may see:
Long Upper Lip with No Teeth Showing
If a patient’s upper teeth do not appear when their jaw is relaxed, a lip lift may be the best solution. This is because their top lip is likely hanging over the front teeth. A filler could cause the top lip to push outward and lead to unattractive duck lips. It can also make the teeth less visible, and make your smile look different, and not as youthful.
Thin Lips with a Long Upper Lip and No Teeth Showing
A lip lift paired with a lip filler like Juvederm or Restylane may be a patient’s best bet if they have thin lips and a long upper lip. The lip lift may shorten the distance between the base of their nose and the fleshy, red portion of their top lip. A filler can add some more volume and contour the cupid’s bow.
Thin to Average Lip Volume and Teeth Showing
A lip filler is an appropriate procedure for patients with upper teeth showing. This is because shortening the upper lip with facial plastic surgery may lead to a gummy smile, whereas a lip filler will simply boost volume.
It is important to note that while patients are welcome to perform this exercise at home, it is not a substitute for a consultation with W Cosmetic. It is only designed to demonstrate the different possibilities available. At W Cosmetic we can thoroughly evaluate a patient’s lips and recommend a customized treatment plan based on their unique aesthetic goals.
The Lip Lift Procedure
Lip lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. After local anesthesia is administered, a bullhorn-shaped incision is created under the base of the nose. This is used to remove a thin sliver of the skin. The amount of lift that is necessary to create an attractive contour and to reveal more of the teeth when the patient is smiling will determine the amount of skin that is removed. Once the skin is removed, the incision will be closed with a combination of dissolving and non-dissolving sutures, which are usually removed after about a week.
As soon as the incision is closed, a thin and virtually unnoticeable scar will start to form at the base of the nose. Patients with a longer upper lip and a short red lip may benefit from a subnasal lip lift alone, while those who hope to add volume to their lips may choose to pair their lip lift with lip augmentation options such as dermal fillers, lip implants, or fat grafting.
Recovering from Lip Lift Surgery
An upper lip lift is a fairly simple cosmetic surgery that involves minimal to no pain and slight bruising. In most cases, pain medication is not necessary. However, patients are required to use an antibiotic cream in the lip area to allow their sutures to heal. If they experience temporary tooth show, it will disappear on its own in several days.
Patients will be able to go home right after their lip lift and return to work and their other responsibilities about three to four days after the surgery. We will encourage them to stick to soft foods such as mashed potatoes and pudding for the initial three to five days after their lip lift as chewing may be uncomfortable initially.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Enhancement and Lip Augmentation
When do the results of a lip lift become visible?
The results of a lip lift begin to emerge once the healing process has come to an end. This takes about two weeks on average.
What are the side effects of a lip lift?
Just like any other surgical procedure, lip lift surgery does involve some side effects, including swelling, bruising, and minor pain. Fortunately, the side effects will improve within a few days and medication can be taken to relieve any discomfort.
Is a lip lift painful?
Since a lip lift is performed under local anesthesia, it does not cause any pain or discomfort during the procedure.