Is a lip lift the right procedure or should I get an alarplasty/rhinoplasty? (Photo)

Question

I have an extremely long philtrum for a woman. my nostrils are very visible. To me, it seems like the whole bottom part of my face sags and my upper face is being dragged down to reach it, if that makes sense. My lips sitting so low makes my nostrils droop to reach them. Not sure if this is relevant, but when I smile and/or pull my nostrils up and back, it seems to improve both of these issues. Do I need jaw surgery or a lip lift and/or rhinoplasty?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for describing your concerns in detail. A long philtrum combined with visible nostrils and a drooping appearance of the lower face can often be addressed with a lip lift, which shortens the philtrum and improves lip balance. This can create the appearance of a more proportionate mid-face and enhance the upper lip’s definition.

Alarplasty or rhinoplasty, on the other hand, are typically used to refine nasal shape, nostril size, or projection. In cases where nostril visibility and nasal droop are contributing to the overall imbalance, rhinoplasty may also be beneficial.

Jaw surgery is usually reserved for significant skeletal discrepancies or malocclusion, which doesn’t seem to be your primary issue from your description.

In some cases, a combination approach—such as a lip lift along with rhinoplasty—provides the most harmonious result, especially when both lip and nasal proportions play a role.

Gurkan Kayabasoglu, MD · Answer

Hello. The complaints you have mentioned might be resolved with a nose intervention and lip lift. Since the photos are very close, there is a high margin of error.

If you wish, you can contact +90 533 015 95 95 via WhatsApp for detailed consultation and send your photos.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

We can address your nose and your lip. We often do them together. The lip lift should be a great way to shorten the lip and get you good tooth show, and, we can likely get some degree of change like you demonstrate with your fingers.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The length of your upper lip appears long and you would benefit from a lip lift. 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. If you are concerned about the nostrils showing then a rhinoplasty can be done to treat that and can be done at the same time of the lip or do the lip lift first and see if that works. A lip lift takes about 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $3,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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