What options are there for shortening my long philtrum after rhinoplasty? (Photos)

Question

Never used to notice it before I had a rhinoplasty but I’m now really conscious of how long my philtrum is. What options are there for shortening? It actually measures in at 2cm! I’ve had lip fillers to try lift the Cupid’s bow but it still looks too long.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Lip lift for the long upper lip. Since I have done male to female TG surgery for 40 years this is a common procedure which I do under local anesthesia with or without twilight anesthesia depending on much of a mental issue the patient has with being awake while surgery is done. Recovery needs 6 days for suture removal and camouflage make up is rarely needed. You be swollen but people won’t notice. See an experienced lip lift surgeon who does these frequently.

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

the upper lip lengthens during the aging process, and with repeated filler injections. Looking at your pictures you might be a good candidate for an upper lip lift. There are many aesthetic features that need to be considered as well, ... to give an expample ... dental show when smiling, curvature from a lateral view, facial proportions related to chin and nasal width. Before undergoing surgery it is best to wait until most of the previously injected filler has disappeared. A lip lift is usually performed under local anesthesia and is well tolerated. I hope this helped.

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

With the different angles I cannot fully appreciate if the upper lip lengthened after surgery, however, this happens to all of us as we age.Sometimes lip fillers applies in the correct plane can help decrease the vertical height of the lip, but in case, that may not be possible.A modified lip lift is procedure that decreases the length of the upper lift and can roll out the red lip, giving the illusion it is bigger. Sometimes patient's need lip filler or fat injections into the actual lip to give the plump appearance.The downside is that there are visible scars in the center of your face and there is a lot of tensions on those incisions (as it is around your mouth... which is an area we use all the time). However, with sutures used deeper than just the skin, a lot of the tension is placed deep the the "scar" and results and less noticeable scarring.

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi,Surgical correction with a lip lift will certainly improve the appearance of the lower 1/3 of your face. When performed carefully the incision can be remarkable well hidden in the natural creases of the base of the nose. Selecting an expert is critically important here because over resection and unfavorable scarring are extremely difficult to correct. I recommend visiting with a lip lift expert for a detailed consultation.Best,

Jeffrey Joseph, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the question and photos.  You may be a candidate for a subnasale lip lift, which will raise the lip, while removing a portion of the cutaneous lip.  Ask your surgeon about this procedure to get his/her opinion.

What options are there for shortening my long philtrum after rhinoplasty? (Photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Lip length

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Lip length

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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What options are there for shortening my long philtrum after rhinoplasty? (Photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Lip length

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Lip length

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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