What kind of Lip Lift suits me? (Photo)

Question

My upper lip looks thin and seems to tuck inward slightly. What kind of lip lift would suit me best?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Choosing the best type of lip lift depends on several factors, including your specific anatomy, aesthetic goals, and the recommendations of a qualified plastic surgeon. However, based on your description of having a thin upper lip that tucks inward, here are a few lip lift options that might suit you:

1. **Subnasal (Bullhorn) Lip Lift:**
This is one of the most common types of lip lifts. It involves removing a strip of skin just below the nose, which shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum). This procedure helps to expose more of the pink part of the lip (the vermilion), making the upper lip appear fuller and more pronounced. This can also help with an inward-tucking lip by rotating the lip outward slightly.

2. **Corner Lip Lift:**
If the corners of your lips tend to droop, making your lip appear thin and tucked inward, a corner lip lift might be beneficial. This procedure targets the outer corners of the mouth, lifting them to create a more youthful and less inward-tucked appearance.

3. **Italian Lip Lift:**
Similar to the subnasal lip lift, the Italian lip lift involves making two small incisions at the base of each nostril. This can be advantageous for patients who might benefit from a more subtle lift and desire less visible scarring.

4. **Gullwing Lip Lift:**
This technique involves making an incision along the vermilion border (the line where the pink part of the lip meets the skin). It is less commonly used but can help in cases where more direct enhancement of the vermilion border is needed.

5. **Vermilion Advancement:**
This procedure involves making an incision along the vermilion border and removing a strip of skin above it. This advances the vermilion border, making the red part of the lip more prominent and fuller.

Consultation with a Plastic Surgeon:
The best way to determine the most appropriate lip lift for you is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon will assess your facial anatomy, listen to your aesthetic goals, and recommend the best procedure based on your specific needs. They may also show you before-and-after photos of previous patients to help you visualize the potential outcomes.

While a subnasal (bullhorn) lip lift is often suitable for enhancing a thin upper lip and addressing an inward tuck, the final decision should be made after a thorough evaluation by a qualified plastic surgeon. They will be able to tailor the procedure to best meet your individual goals and ensure a safe and satisfactory result.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I recommend a lip lift that takes out minimal centrally and more laterally to pull up the corners.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

From the photos provided, there seems to be quite a disparity in volume between the upper and lower lips. This can be easily addressed nonsurgically with the use of an appropriate HA filler for adding volume to the upper lip. The treatment in experienced hands should take no more than about ten minutes, the results are immediate and there is little to no significant post-treatment downtime.. 
Surgery on the other hand, is more aggressive, expensive, and carries the risks for infection and permanent scarring and typically engenders significant post-surgical downtime.

What kind of Lip Lift suits me? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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What kind of Lip Lift suits me? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.