Do I need a lip lift? (Photo)

From your photo, your upper lip length and proportion appear harmonious relative to your lower face, and there is a natural contour to the Cupid’s bow and vermilion border. Whether you need a lip lift is ultimately a personal decision and depends on your goals rather than any strict medical indication.

Here are some factors that people often consider when deciding on a lip lift:

✅ Indications for Lip Lift:

A long philtrum (space between the base of the nose and the top of the lip), typically >15 mm in women, which makes the upper lip look elongated or the red part less visible.

Minimal dental show (not seeing your upper teeth when the lips are relaxed).

Desire for increased lip fullness without fillers.

Desire to enhance Cupid’s bow definition.

✅ Your Photo Observations:

The philtrum does not appear disproportionately long.

There is visible natural volume of the upper lip.

Lip shape is balanced.

If you are considering a lip lift purely for aesthetic preference (e.g., to show more upper teeth when relaxed, or to shorten the upper lip further), you could consult with a facial plastic surgeon for precise measurements and a simulated outcome. But based on your photo alone, there is no objective reason you need a lip lift unless it aligns with your cosmetic goals.

Ultimately, this is a very personal choice, and if you are satisfied with your current proportions, a lip lift would be purely elective.

You are a good candidate for 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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

But this is the wrong set of photos. We need to see how your mouth looks with your mouth slightly open but at rest. This will tell us if you need a lip lift and how much.