I want more upper lip height and visibility. Am I a candidate for a lip lift (photos)?

Hi, thank you for sharing the details and photos—it really helps to understand your goals.

Based on what you’ve described, a lip lift could be a good option for you. The procedure is designed to shorten and elevate the upper lip, which can improve tooth show and create a more balanced, youthful appearance. Since you’ve noticed that fillers tend to push outward rather than upward, a surgical lip lift can achieve the vertical lift you’re looking for without the “duck-lip” effect.

Even though your philtrum isn’t very long, a lip lift can still enhance lip definition, height, and visibility—especially when the upper teeth don’t show naturally. The amount of lift and the final result depend on your specific anatomy, including lip thickness, smile dynamics, and how much tooth show you desire.

It’s important to note that, like any surgical procedure, outcomes are individualized. In many cases, a lip lift provides a natural, permanent improvement that fillers alone may not achieve, particularly in patients who are young and have less pronounced philtrums.

Overall, it sounds like you could be a good candidate, but the exact approach would be tailored to your anatomy and goals to ensure the most natural and proportionate result.

The goal of the upper lip lift is to decrease the distance between the nose and the vermilion border, expose more of the upper teeth, and show more of the "pink" of the upper lip. You may be a candidate depending on the actual measurement of this distance.