Can philtrum be shortened without changing the size of the upper lip?

Question

My upper lip seems full enough, it's just my philtrum that is too long and if I have a lip lift, does that make my upper lip bigger? What are my options for shortening the philtrum then?

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

All lip lifts will create a fuller lip, as this is one of the primary aims. In your situation, the philtrum can be shortened and perhaps an upper lip reduction in the future or filler to the lower lip if you are unhappy with the proportions.
Gary Linkov, MD
Lip Specialist
Manhattan

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

The upper vermillion show is increased slightly after a lip lift. There are ways to increase this vermillion show by modifying the lip lift technique. I would wait for the fillers in the upper lip to do away or I would dissolve them. Rarely people with large upper lips require a lip reduction. Therefore, based on the discussion with the patient, a certain aesthetic goal can be established and we then use the proper procedure to achieve those goals.

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.  It is possible that if you had a lip lift and there was too much upper lip show it could be reduced.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Justin C. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is one of surgical technique. There are ways to perform a lip lift that shortens the philtrum in addition to rolling up the upper lip. There are also ways to do it while minimizing change in lip fullness.  Find a board certified expert to go over these in more detail. Best of luck.

Piotr Osuch, MD · Answer

After shortening your philtrum your lips will be fuller. This is down to the surgical technique - lip lift is about cutting strip of skin just under the nose & rolling up upper lip. Thus upper lip becomes more visible & fuller.

best regards
Piotr Osuch, MD, PhD

best regards
Piotr Osuch, MD, PhD

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Any removal of subnasal skin to shorten the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip will create some increased lip fullness...but it is not a 1:1 ratio. But there is no getting around the anatomic relationship between removing skin between the nose and the lip makes the center vermilion of the upper lip fuller.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

A lip lift will not change the size of the upper lip.  Lip lift surgery is extremely popular and gives a beautiful result.

Can philtrum be shortened without changing the size of the upper lip?

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