Lip Lift - am I a suitable candidate for this procedure? (Photo)

Question

Hello, I am considering on doing lip lift . 31 years old. I feel that my upper lip is small yet i dont want to use filler. The distance is about 16-17 mm now. I have 4 questions: 1. Am I a suitable candidate for this procedure? 2. If yes, how many mm should I remove without making it look pulled? 3. Given the structure of my lips will this make my teeth more visible? 4. Remove 5mm= teeth become more visible by 5mm? Thank you!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I can provide some general information regarding lip lift procedures, but I strongly recommend that you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a proper evaluation.

1. Generally, a good candidate for a lip lift procedure is someone who is healthy, has a longer upper lip, and desires to reduce the distance between the nose and the upper lip. Your age and the distance you provided suggest you could be a suitable candidate, but this would ultimately be determined by a professional assessment.

2. The amount of skin to be removed is typically determined by the surgeon based on individual facial proportions. Removing too much can indeed result in a 'pulled' look. Generally, a reduction of 1-5mm is considered safe, but again, this would be determined on an individual basis.

3. A lip lift can make your teeth more visible when your lips are at rest and when you're speaking or smiling. This is because the procedure shortens the upper lip, allowing more of the upper teeth to show.

4. It's not necessarily a 1:1 ratio when it comes to skin removal and teeth visibility. While removing 5mm of skin might increase the visibility of your upper teeth, it doesn't necessarily mean your teeth will be 5mm more visible. The actual outcome can vary based on a number of factors, including your unique anatomy and the specific surgical technique used.

Please remember to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to get personalized and professional advice.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You would benefit from a lip lift but I would not remove 5 mm, more like 3-4 mm.  A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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