Lip Lift

A lip lift is a procedure to reshape the upper lip, most commonly by shortening the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the lip (the philtral length), lifting the position of the lip and increasing the amount of pink lip that shows. It’s a small operation compared to most of the other procedures in face surgery, but the visible impact of even small changes in the lip area can be significant, and the scar (although typically well concealed) is permanent.

Lip lift suits patients whose concern is the length of the upper lip or the position of the lip itself rather than the volume of the lip. Where volume is the main concern, other options may be more appropriate. Where the lip is downturned at the corners of the mouth, a different technique (corner lift) may be the answer. Dr Shepherd will assess your specific anatomy at consultation and recommend the technique that suits your situation.

Different techniques address different concerns, and the choice depends on the specific change the patient is hoping to make.

Patients who consider lip lift typically have one of a few specific concerns. The first is a long upper lip, where the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the lip is longer than the patient would like, producing an appearance where the upper teeth don’t show at rest and the lip looks flat or thin. This is often related to age, where the philtral length increases as the lip lengthens over time, but can also be present from a younger age as a matter of individual anatomy.

The second is downturning of the corners of the mouth, which can develop with age or be present as an individual feature. Downturned corners can affect how the resting expression is perceived, sometimes reading as tired or sad when the patient doesn’t feel that way. Corner lift addresses this specific concern.

The third group is patients wanting a change in the appearance of the visible pink lip, either through subnasal lift (which advances the whole upper lip) or through other techniques. Patients whose main concern is volume (rather than length or position) may be better served by different options. We’ll discuss what suits your specific situation at consultation.

Lip lift can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia with sedation is common for smaller procedures, particularly for subnasal lip lift alone. General anaesthesia is more common when the lip lift is combined with other face surgery. The operation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes when performed alone.

Most patients go home the same day. Ice packs and elevation help with early swelling. Sutures are typically removed within the first week.

Recovery from lip lift is generally shorter than most other face surgery. Swelling and mild bruising are expected in the first week, with most of the visible signs settling over one to two weeks. Sutures are removed within the first week. Discomfort is generally mild and responds to oral analgesia.

Most patients return to work after one week, sometimes earlier for desk-based roles where the residual bruising can be concealed. Vigorous exercise and any activity that involves significant facial movement or straining is restricted for two to three weeks. Certain foods (particularly those that require a large opening of the mouth) may be uncomfortable in the first week and are best avoided.

The final result develops over several weeks as swelling settles. The scar is initially visible at the base of the nose and gradually fades over 12 to 18 months, typically becoming inconspicuous once healed. How the scar ends up looking is influenced by individual healing characteristics.

The recognised risks include:

Lip lift is classified as a cosmetic procedure and doesn’t attract a Medicare rebate or private health fund coverage. A written quote covering all surgical, anaesthetic and hospital fees (where relevant) is provided after consultation.