Am I a candidate for lip lift surgery? The space between my nose and upper lip is 1.5-1.6 cm (Photo)

Question

I have small teeth and want my smile to be more pronounced. I’m think the lip lift surgery will help with that. Also, I have these small spider veins below one nostril, will that be a problem during a lip lift surgery? What doctor do u recommend for this procedure ? Is the shape and angle of my nostrils good so that the incision will be well hidden?

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

First of, thank you for your pictures! Lots of questions, lots of questions! Couple things.  So in order to determine whether your not you would be a good candidate we really have to evaluate your entire facial proportions.  This is important because one particular measurement- or number - does not mean that you need to have things "fixed".  A number does not give you beauty, and beauty is not measured by a particular number, remember! That being said, reasonable goals include improving tooth show and enhancing the lips.  I can see how you may benefit from a lip lift catering to that.  You are on the younger side, so you are right to be concerned about a scar.  Most patients heal with an inconspicuous scar, but you are correct in determining that hiding the incision is of utmost importance.  In your case its difficult to tell from the pictures themselves - I like to determine that based on motion of your lips during conversation, smile, and I do a couple of different maneuvers to try and help find the best place for the little incision.  As a young patient, the decision to go forth with a lip lift is very personal, and there are many factors that go into the decision making process.  I commend you for asking all the right questions! Best of luck going forward!

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello randomladyThis procedure may benefit younger and older patients alike. In younger patients, the procedure is typically used to avoid obtaining a plastic appearance with fillers. It is important to understand that not all lips will benefit from fillers. The lift gives the upper lip a lighter and more defined appearance with greater volume and tooth show. As you age, the upper lip loses volume and increases in length. When performed in older patients, the lift helps restore a more youthful facial balance and sensuality around the mouth. It also works wonders for improving lost lip volume as well as lipstick bleed lines and wrinkles.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Lip lifting is a great procedure and it can be done for you.  The actual measurement is less important than the amount of tooth show.  See the video to learn more.

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Thanks for your question. Your pictures are very helpful both with lips closed, slightly apart, and in full smile. Your upper lip does look a bit long. A conservative bullhorn lip lift would probably serve you well. Your nostril shape and position is decent, but the scar would need to be placed higher into the shadowed areas of the sill to hide best.My biggest concern is that you don't see any upper gumline when smiling after a lip lift. You don't want to have a gummy smile, or be unable to close your lips naturally after lip lift. This is why I recommend a conservative amount of skin removal. Normal upper lip vertical height is typically 1.2-1.5cm, so you aren't too far off from perfect. Make sure you consult with a reputable facial cosmetic surgery specialist in your area for more information.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Nora Nugent, FRCSI (Plast) · Answer

Hello hshawky91
Thank you for posting your question and photographs.  Upper lip lift is an excellent procedure to enhance the appearnace of upper lips giving a fuller appearance to the lip.  The scar is usually curved in around both nostrils in a "bull-horn" shape and normally heals to leave a very inconspicuous scar.  Keeping the your upper lip in proportion relative to your lower lip and the rest of your face as well as ensuring a natural position in relation to your teeth and gums are key to an improved and enhanced but natural appearing result. Without being able to see your face in full and without assessing you in person, it is hard give definite advice, but you should see a definite enhancement with a lip lift.  Lip lifts offer a more long-term solution than dermal fillers for lip enhancement and also help with lip lenght issues.
Before committing to the procedure, it is also wise to discuss fully what you mean by a more pronounced smile as this will help your surgeon decide with you if a lip lift is the right procedure for you.  They can explain fully what a lip lift can achieve to you. The spider veins you refer to should not be a problem for this type of procedure. If they persist afterwards, they can be treated by thermocoagulation or laser treatments.
Good luck with your research!

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

I think you are a candidate for lip lift. It has to be a conservative excision however as you already have some upper tooth show with the mouth open. The incision is hidden under the nostril and if done well, it will be hard to see with any shape nostril. Best wishes

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

With an upper lip length of 16mm, it can be safely reduced to 11 or 12mms without looking too short or having too much central lip fullness.

Sarah Saxon, MD · Answer

Your photos are actually very helpful. You already have some tooth show with your mouth slightly open, but I agree that your lip could be a little shorter. The incision hides in the crease that forms as your nose transitions to your lip and is well-hidden. I can only see a hint of the spider veins your are talking about, and that should not be a problem since that is where skin is removed. Be sure you go to a surgeon who is experienced in doing lip lift surgery since the design of the excision is more of an art instead of a science. You want a balanced lift instead of more skin removed toward the center. A balanced upper lip lift is natural, so no one can even tell you had anything done. 
I hope this helps,
Sarah Saxon, MD

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