Concerns around philtrum length and incisor show - Am I a good candidate for a lip lift? (photo)

Thank you for sharing your concerns so openly. It’s very natural to notice details like philtrum length and incisor show, especially when you’re clean-shaven, since these proportions play an important role in facial balance and harmony.

From what you’ve described, the limited incisors show at rest and even with smiling, combined with your concern about philtrum length, are classic reasons why some patients consider a lip lift. A well-performed lip lift can shorten the philtrum and increase tooth show without necessarily making the upper lip look unnaturally full. The goal is balance and proportion, not exaggeration.

Your hesitation is completely valid, as overfilling or poorly planned treatment can distort natural lip shape. Unlike filler or Botox, which may not adequately address the underlying proportion issues you’ve described, a lip lift directly changes the relationship between the lip and philtrum, which is why it’s often recommended in cases like yours.

That being said, surgical candidacy depends on your anatomy, skin quality, and desired outcome. Based on your description and photo, you do sound like a potential candidate, particularly if your priority is improving incisor show and reducing philtrum length, rather than just altering lip volume.

The most important thing is that your treatment aligns with your goals and preserves your natural features, enhancing, not changing, your overall look.