Schedule Consultation (858) 381-4801

Lip Lift

Lip Lift

Doctor and patient discussing treatment options together.

Lift Your Lips, Light Up the Room

Why Choose SKY Facial Plastic Surgery for a Lip Lift?

The lips can be one of your most captivating features, but age and genetics can cause the lips to lose their luster. A lip lift is a surgical procedure that enhances the shape and position of the upper lip, creating a more youthful, balanced, and attractive appearance. Unlike temporary solutions like lip fillers, lip lift surgery provides lasting results by shortening the distance between the lip and nose and revealing more of the vermillion, or the pink portion of the lip tissue.

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sirius K. Yoo combines technical expertise and a keen artistic eye to craft shapely lip contours that enhance the harmony of your facial features. With a dedicated focus on facial procedures, Dr. Yoo is known for personalized care tailored to each patient's unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. Schedule your consultation today to discover how a lip lift can enhance your natural beauty.

Background Image

Lip Lift at a Glance

  • Purpose: Elevates the upper lip for a fuller, more youthful appearance.
  • Procedure Time: Typically 1–2 hours.
  • Downtime: Recovery lasts about 1 week, with mild swelling and minimal discomfort.
  • Anesthesia: Performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation.
  • Results: Long-lasting, subtle enhancement of the shape and proportion of your lips
Background Image

Redefine Your Smile

What is a lip lift?

Age-related changes to the lips include loss of volume, elongation of the white portion of the lip, reduction of the visible red part of the lip (vermillion), wrinkling, and pigment variations.

A lip lift is a surgical procedure to shorten the upper lip to return it to a more youthful proportion. This cosmetic procedure can also increase the amount of vermillion that shows by rotating the red part of the lip upward. Lip lift surgery is accomplished with a small incision beneath the nose or along the border between the red and white lip (vermillion border).

By lifting the upper lip, this technique reveals more of the pink lip tissue, enhances the cupid’s bow, and allows more of the upper teeth to show for a balanced, attractive smile. There are various lip lift techniques, including the bullhorn lip lift and corner lip lift, each tailored to meet the patient’s specific aesthetic goals. A lip lift is ideal for those seeking permanent lip enhancement without relying on temporary fillers.

Woman with dark hair in casual portrait.

Shapely Contours

What is the lip lift procedure like?

On the day of your lip lift surgery, Dr. Yoo begins by creating precise incisions along the crease beneath the nose. Using advanced surgical techniques, he removes a small amount of excess skin, lifting and securing the upper lip to its new position. The procedure typically takes 1–2 hours and is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring a comfortable experience. Dr. Yoo meticulously closes the incisions to minimize visible scarring and ensure a natural result.

Poise and Elegance

What conditions does a lip lift address?

A lip lift can improve the appearance of the lips in several ways:

  • Long upper lip: Reduces the distance between the nose and upper lip for improved facial balance.
  • Aging lips: Restores a youthful appearance by elevating and enhancing the lip shape.
  • Flat or thin lips: Adds subtle volume and definition to the upper lip.
  • Downturned corners: Corrects the position of the lip corners for a more pleasant expression.
Modern lounge area with stylish furniture and decor.

Lasting Benefits

What are the benefits of a lip lift?

A lip lift offers several unique advantages, including:

  • Enhanced lip shape: Improves the cupid’s bow and overall symmetry.
  • Long-lasting results: Provides permanent enhancement without the need for repeat treatments with lip fillers.
  • Balanced aesthetics: Creates a harmonious proportion between the lips and other features.
  • Revealed teeth: Allows the upper teeth to show subtly, enhancing your smile.
  • Natural-looking enhancement: Delivers subtle yet noticeable improvement in lip volume and position.
Background Image

Picture-Perfect Lips

Is a lip lift right for me?

You may be a good candidate for a lip lift if you are seeking permanent lip enhancement. The lip lift procedure is especially suited for patients with a long upper lip, flat or thin lips, or signs of aging like lost volume or shapeliness.

Lip lift candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for their results. This procedure is a great alternative for patients looking to avoid the repetitive maintenance required with lip augmentation with injectable treatments like lip fillers. During your consultation, Dr. Yoo will assess your facial anatomy and goals to determine if a lip lift is the right option for you.

Woman with long hair receiving facial treatment.

A Quick Recovery

Lip Lift Recovery

Recovery from a lip lift is relatively quick, with most patients returning to normal activities within 5–7 days. Light swelling and discomfort are common during the first few days but resolve with proper aftercare and prescribed medications. Dr. Yoo provides detailed post-operative care instructions, including keeping your head elevated and avoiding strenuous activities. The incision line for a lip lift is carefully placed along the natural crease beneath the nose, ensuring minimal scarring as the body heals.

Subtly Enhanced, Boldly Beautiful

Lip Lift Results

Lip lift results are transformative yet natural-looking, creating fuller lips, enhanced shape, and a balanced facial appearance.

The procedure subtly reveals more of the colored portion of the lip tissue and enhances the cupid’s bow, contributing to a youthful, attractive smile. Patients enjoy long-lasting results that elevate their confidence and refine their overall facial aesthetics.

Smiling woman looking at laptop screen.

Lip Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Lip lift results are permanent, as the procedure involves surgical adjustment rather than temporary fillers.

Dr. Yoo places lip lift incisions along the natural crease beneath the nose, ensuring any scars are minimal and fade with time.

Most patients return to work within a week once swelling and discomfort have subsided.

Yes, many patients combine a lip lift with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery, for comprehensive enhancement.

Lip lift surgery is performed under local anesthesia, minimizing discomfort during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is mild and easily managed.

A lip lift provides permanent enhancement, making it an excellent alternative for patients who no longer want temporary fillers. At your consultation, Dr. Yoo is happy to answer all of your questions and help you weigh the benefits of a lip lift versus lip fillers.

Age is less important than the specific concerns you wish to address. Dr. Yoo evaluates each patient individually to determine suitability.

Swelling typically subsides within the first week following lip lift surgery, with final results becoming more apparent over the following weeks.

The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, with optional sedation available for patient comfort.

Dr. Yoo provides detailed pre-operative instructions, including guidelines on medications, diet, and lifestyle adjustments, to ensure the best results.

There are several lip lift techniques tailored to individual needs. The bullhorn lip lift, the most common, shortens the space between the nose and upper lip by removing a small strip of skin beneath the nostrils. The corner lip lift elevates the outer corners of the lips, ideal for correcting a downturned appearance. The Italian lip lift uses two smaller incisions beneath each nostril for a subtle enhancement. Each technique focuses on improving lip shape, proportion, and balance for natural-looking results.