Would I be a good candidate for a lip lift? (photos)

Question

Im okay with my smile but when I talk no upper teeth show. I think this is probably due to an underdeveloped upper jaw? I had an underbite as a child that was corrected with dental work. However my nose is already fairly close to my mouth. I can touch my tongue to my nose for instance. I’m not sure if the lip lift would look crazy on me shortening the already small space between my nose and mouth.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

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.  Your upper lip does appear thin and I believe you would be a candidate for a lip lift.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

From the photos provided,  there does seem to be sufficient distance between the upper vermilion border and the base of the nose to consider a nonsurgical filler/Botox lip lift.. So, if this is indeed so, then  a small amount of a low viscosity, malleable, cohesive HA filler can be used to better define the vermilion border of the left side of the upper lip and would also help to create a nonsurgical lip flip.  For further lip flip, if still necessary, a couple of microdroplets of Botox can be used right above the left upper vermilion area. If you prefer, a small amount of saline or dilute anesthetic solution can be used for the vermilion border as a test to give you a real world idea of the result and then the actual procedure can be performed at a subsequent session. 
You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert and best of luck.

Ruslan Zhuravsky, DO · Answer

Hello, Great and fair question. There are a few things to consider when it comes to lip lifts. The first and perhaps the most important is that although it seems like a simple surgery, there are many little nuances to getting it done right. It is very important to choose someone that does these often and with great care for the details.A lip lift accomplish 4 major changes. It decreases the length between the nose and lip, gives the top lip more apparent volume, increases tooth show, and enhances the 3 dimensional shape of the top lip. We have to balance all of these in each case in order to achieve the most ideal results. The length between the nose and lip is relative to each individual face. It is not as simple as saying that it is long or short at baseline. Some people look good with 16mm, while others look good with 11m of upper lip. There is no magic one size fits all approach to this, at least not if it is done well. Based on these photos, although your top lip does not appear to be very long, it seems that there may room for a mild (3-4mm lift). This seems like a very small amount, but when done properly, the enhanced support of the upper lip to the stable areas of the nasal base can give more tooth show, a subtly improved ratio, and perhaps even an improved smile (requiring less strain and appearing more relaxed). In the smiling photo, there appears to be a small bit of strain in the center, but this is something that is better evaluated dynamically either in person or virtually. The amount of tooth show, which seems to be your main concern is hard to predict as it depends on skin thickness and underlying dental support. It seems that in your case, a 3mm lift might improve the tooth show by approximately 1mm. A photo with the mouth partially open is helpful to evaluate tooth show. I hope you find this helpful, however in the end, to truly understand if you are a candidate, a consultation with a qualified surgeon (or two, or three) is the best way to go. Good luck!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos I do not see need for lip lift. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure is recommended. Good luck.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out with your concerns. Determining whether you're a good candidate for a lip lift involves several factors, including the anatomical structure of your face and your aesthetic goals. Here are a few considerations that might help you in your decision:

Anatomy and Proportions: Since you mentioned that the space between your nose and upper lip is already short, a lip lift may further reduce this distance, potentially affecting facial balance. It's crucial to evaluate whether this change would harmonize with your other facial features.

Upper Teeth Visibility: A lip lift can help increase the visibility of your upper teeth when you speak or smile. However, it's important to consider whether this change would be significant enough to achieve your desired outcome.

Previous Dental Work: Since you've had dental work to correct an underbite, it's important to ensure that any surgical changes to your lips or mouth area do not interfere with your dental alignment or function.

Consultation with a Specialist: Given your concerns, it would be beneficial to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist with experience in facial aesthetics. They can provide a detailed assessment and discuss potential outcomes using digital imaging, which can help visualize how a lip lift might look on you.

Alternatives: If the space between your nose and mouth is a concern, you might also consider alternatives such as fillers or other non-surgical options that can subtly enhance lip volume and upper teeth visibility without altering the philtrum length.

Ultimately, a personalized consultation with a specialist will provide the most accurate advice tailored to your individual features and goals.

Would I be a good candidate for a lip lift? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Considering a Lip Lift: Evaluating Candidacy and Facial Proportions

Answer: Considering a Lip Lift: Evaluating Candidacy and Facial Proportions

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Would I be a good candidate for a lip lift? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Considering a Lip Lift: Evaluating Candidacy and Facial Proportions

Answer: Considering a Lip Lift: Evaluating Candidacy and Facial Proportions

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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