Is an Italian lip lift the best option for me? (Photos)

Question

I’ve gone back and forth between a full lip lift or just italian- the corner ones scare me lightly because the scar could be a lot more visible, just curious if i’m a candidate for the italian lip lift. I’ve had filler and i just find the sides of my lips invert quite a bit, so the filler is sort of pointless, i’ve been waiting to book a consultation because i am kind of firm on wanting just the italian lip lift, but curious of doctors input! I took a regular photo, one holding up the sides, and one more holding up the middle as well. I feel like my cupids now is already the only visible area, and i’d hate to have that look of my lip being stuck open, thank you!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you so much for sharing your photos and thoughtful explanation — it’s clear you’ve done your research and have a good sense of what you’re hoping to achieve.

An Italian lip lift can be a beautiful and subtle way to enhance the upper lip without extending scars to the corners of the mouth. It focuses on lifting the central portions of the lip through two small incisions beneath each nostril, rather than a continuous incision across the base of the nose like a traditional subnasal or “bullhorn” lift. This technique can help evert the upper lip and make it appear slightly fuller, particularly in the central area, while minimizing the risk of corner scarring.

However, it’s important to note that the Italian lift tends to produce a more conservative lift than the full bullhorn approach. For patients whose lip inversion happens more toward the sides — as you mentioned — results may be more subtle. In contrast, a full lip lift offers more uniform eversion across the entire upper lip but does come with a slightly longer incision line.

Since you’ve had fillers before and noticed that the sides of your lips tend to invert, you might benefit from a detailed in-person evaluation of your lip anatomy, smile dynamics, and philtral length. These factors help determine how much lift (and where) will look the most natural while avoiding that “pulled” or overly open look you’re concerned about.

You’re absolutely right to prioritize a natural balance — the goal is always harmony and softness, not an over-lifted appearance.

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