Lip Lift

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) practising in Sydney & Brisbane with over a decade of experience specialising in facial aesthetic surgery. At his clinic, Dr Turner offers lip lift procedures for patients seeking to address age-related changes to the upper lip or those who desire improved lip proportions and dental show.

The upper lip undergoes predictable changes throughout life—the philtrum progressively elongates while the vermilion becomes less visible, contributing to reduced dental show and diminished lip definition. Unlike temporary injectable treatments that add volume without modifying structure, lip lift surgery provides permanent correction by surgically shortening the philtrum to reveal more vermilion and increase dental show. The procedure can be performed as a standalone treatment or combined with comprehensive facial surgery such as the Face+ Signature Facelift to achieve harmonious facial enhancement.

Understanding Lip Lift Surgery

Lip lift surgery, also known as cheiloplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to modify the structural relationship between the nose and upper lip. The procedure involves removing a carefully measured strip of skin at the nasal base, then advancing the remaining tissue upward to shorten the philtrum and create a more defined, prominent upper lip.

Upper Lip Anatomy and the Ageing Process

Understanding the anatomical components of the upper lip region helps clarify how ageing affects this area and what surgical correction can achieve:

The Philtrum: This central vertical groove extends from the columella (the tissue between the nostrils) to the upper lip border. In younger individuals, the philtrum typically measures 12-15 millimetres. With age, this distance progressively lengthens—sometimes exceeding 20 millimetres—contributing substantially to an aged facial appearance.

The Vermilion: The red portion of the lip becomes progressively less visible as the philtrum elongates, creating the appearance of thinner lips even when underlying lip tissue remains adequate.

Cupid’s Bow: This distinctive M-shaped curve at the central upper lip provides definition and character. Philtral elongation can flatten this natural contour, diminishing upper lip architecture.

Dental Show: The visibility of upper teeth when the mouth is slightly open or during smiling significantly influences facial aesthetics and perceived youthfulness. Progressive philtral lengthening reduces dental show, contributing to an aged appearance.

Causes of Upper Lip Changes

Several factors contribute to upper lip changes over time:

• Natural ageing with gravitational effects and collagen loss
• Genetic predisposition—some individuals inherit naturally long philtrums
• Maxillary bone resorption affecting lip support
• Volume depletion in perioral soft tissues
• Cumulative sun damage affects skin quality

Lip Lift Surgical Techniques

Dr Turner offers several surgical approaches, selecting the most appropriate technique based on individual anatomy and aesthetic objectives:

Subnasal Bullhorn Lip Lift

The bullhorn technique represents Dr Turner’s preferred approach for most patients. The incision follows the natural curves at the base of the nose—along the columella centrally and curving around the nostril sills laterally—creating a pattern resembling bull’s horns. A precisely measured strip of skin is excised, shortening the philtrum to approximately 14-16 millimetres (the target length varies based on individual facial proportions).

This technique provides the most substantial and predictable correction whilst positioning the scar within the natural shadow at the nasal base, where it becomes remarkably inconspicuous following healing. The central emphasis of the lift enhances the definition of cupid’s bow, creating the appearance of fuller lips without injectable products.

Corner Lip Lift

The corner lip lift specifically addresses the lateral commissures (mouth corners) through small incisions along the vermilion border at each corner. By excising small wedges of skin, the downturned corners of the mouth can be elevated. This technique is frequently combined with the bullhorn lip lift to achieve comprehensive upper lip enhancement and improved overall symmetry.

Direct Lip Lift

The direct approach involves placing the incision immediately above the vermilion border, excising a strip of skin to increase visible lip height. While this technique can provide significant enhancement for individuals with very thin lips, the resulting scar along the lip border may prove more visible than alternative approaches. Dr Turner reserves this technique for specific situations where other methods would prove inadequate.

Lip Lift Compared to Non-Surgical Alternatives

Lip Lift vs. Lip Flip: A lip flip utilises neuromodulator injections to relax the orbicularis oris muscle, allowing the upper lip to roll slightly outward. This creates a subtle, temporary improvement (lasting 2-3 months) without shortening the philtrum or permanently increasing dental show. Surgical lip lift provides permanent structural correction that addresses the underlying anatomical concern.

Lip Lift vs. Dermal Fillers: Injectable fillers add volume to create temporary fullness but cannot structurally modify philtral length or permanently increase dental show. Fillers require ongoing maintenance and may create an artificial appearance when used excessively. Lip lift surgery provides permanent correction of the structural concern, though fillers can complement surgical results by adding additional volume when desired.

Lip Lift vs. Fat Transfer: Fat grafting to the lips increases volume and fullness but, like injectable fillers, cannot address philtral elongation or create permanent increases in dental show. Fat transfer can be combined with a surgical lip lift for patients seeking both structural correction and volume enhancement.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Lip Lift Surgery?

Lip lift surgery proves appropriate for carefully selected individuals whose concerns align with the procedure’s capabilities. Dr Turner conducts thorough assessments during consultation to determine candidacy and ensure realistic expectations.

Physical Health Requirements

Suitable lip lift candidates demonstrate:

• Good general health status without medical conditions compromising wound healing
• Non-smoking status or absolute willingness to cease all tobacco and nicotine products for a minimum of six weeks before and after surgery—nicotine significantly impairs healing in the delicate perioral region
• Absence of active cold sores or perioral infections at the time of surgery
• Stable weight and overall good physical condition
• Psychological readiness for surgical intervention (mandatory psychological assessment required per Australian regulations effective July 1, 2023)

Anatomical Indicators for Lip Lift Surgery

Lip lift surgery is particularly effective for patients presenting with:

• Elongated philtrum exceeding 15-16mm in women or 17-18mm in men
• Reduced dental show with minimal upper tooth visibility when the mouth is relaxed
• Thin upper lip appearance due to reduced visible vermilion despite adequate underlying tissue
• Age-related changes including progressive upper lip lengthening and loss of definition
• Genetic characteristics such as naturally long philtrum present since youth
• Flattened cupid’s bow with loss of central upper lip definition

Who May Not Be Suitable

Lip lift surgery may not represent the optimal choice for individuals with:

• Adequate philtral length, who primarily seek increased lip volume—injectable fillers or fat grafting may prove more appropriate
• Active smoking habits they are unwilling to cease completely
• History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring affecting scar visibility considerations
• Unrealistic expectations regarding scar concealment or achievable improvement
• Very thin skin quality that may compromise healing
• Active perioral skin conditions or infections

How is Lip Lift Surgery Performed?

Lip lift surgery can be performed under local anaesthesia or under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited private hospital. The procedure typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour when performed alone, and patients can return home the same day.

Pre-Operative Planning and Marking

Your procedure begins with meticulous surgical planning and marking performed whilst seated upright. Dr Turner identifies and marks:

• The existing philtral length from the nasal sill to the vermilion border
• The planned bullhorn incision pattern follows the columella and nostril sill contours
• The precise width of skin to be excised (typically 3-6mm, depending on the correction required)
• The target post-operative philtral length (approximately 14-16mm in women, slightly longer in men)
• Any pre-existing asymmetries requiring differential correction

Careful measurement ensures balanced, symmetrical results and appropriate correction without overcorrection.

Local Anaesthesia Administration

Local anaesthetic containing adrenaline is infiltrated into the upper lip region. This provides complete numbness throughout the procedure whilst minimising bleeding, improving surgical visualisation, and reducing post-operative bruising. Patients remain awake but comfortable throughout.

Incision and Skin Excision

Dr Turner creates the bullhorn-shaped incision along the marked pattern at the nasal base. The incision follows the natural junction between nose and upper lip, hugging the columella centrally and curving along the nostril sills laterally. This strategic placement ensures the eventual scar lies within the natural shadow created by the nose.

A precisely measured strip of skin is carefully excised. The width of excision determines the degree of philtral shortening achieved. Dr Turner exercises conservative judgement, recognising that inadequate correction can be revised whilst overcorrection proves difficult to address.

Tissue Advancement and Layered Closure

Following skin excision, the remaining upper lip tissue is advanced upward to meet the incision at the nasal base. This advancement directly shortens the philtrum whilst simultaneously:

• Increasing visible vermilion (red lip)
• Enhancing cupid’s bow definition
• Improving dental show
• Creating fuller upper lip appearance through lip border eversion

Dr Turner employs meticulous layered closure using fine absorbable deep sutures to minimise skin tension, followed by precise skin closure designed to optimise scar quality.

Combining Lip Lift with Other Procedures

Lip lift surgery is frequently performed as part of comprehensive facial enhancement. Common combinations include:

• Face+ Signature Facelift and Vertical Facelift procedures incorporating lip lift for complete facial correction
• Rhinoplasty to optimise the nose-lip relationship
• Facial fat grafting provides both structural shortening and volume enhancement

When combined with other procedures under general anaesthesia, lip lift adds minimal operative time whilst contributing significantly to overall facial harmony.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from lip lift surgery follows a predictable course, though the area around the mouth requires careful attention to wound care during the initial healing phase. Swelling typically peaks at 48-72 hours before gradually improving, and some bruising may appear in the upper lip and lower nose area. During the first week, patients should use cold compresses to reduce swelling, sleep with their head elevated, eat soft foods to avoid straining the incision, and limit wide mouth movements and excessive talking. Dr Turner reviews patients at one week to check healing progress and remove sutures—most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities within 7-10 days.

Results continue to improve over the following months, with remaining swelling settling by 2-3 months and the final lip shape becoming apparent at 3-6 months. The scar will initially appear pink or red but gradually fades over 12-18 months. Good scar care makes a real difference—protecting the area from sun exposure with SPF 50+ sunscreen and using silicone scar gel as directed helps achieve the best possible result. Most patients find that their scars become barely noticeable, hidden within the natural crease at the base of the nose.

Risks and Complications

All surgical procedures carry inherent risks that must be thoroughly understood before proceeding. Most patients experience predictable temporary effects, including swelling concentrated in the upper lip (peaking at 48-72 hours), bruising that may extend to the lower nose, temporary numbness or altered sensation, and mild to moderate discomfort manageable with medication. These expected effects typically resolve within the first few weeks of recovery.

Potential complications include visible scarring (though most scars become inconspicuous within the natural shadow at the nasal base), asymmetry that may require revision surgery, infection, wound separation if excessive tension exists or activities resume too quickly, and overcorrection or undercorrection of the philtral length. Prolonged numbness and lip contour distortion are rare but possible. Dr Turner employs meticulous technique, conservative tissue excision, and comprehensive post-operative protocols to minimise these risks, ensuring every patient receives detailed information about potential complications during consultation.