Can a lip lift help me achieve this look?

Question

I already have semi-full lips as you can see from the photos, but for my ethnicity (african american) they are small, and they don't match my facial features. For a more balanced look, I considered Rhinoplasty but decided rather than make my nose smaller, I want fuller looking lips to match it. I have such a big face that making my nose small to match my lips would only emphasize it. What do you recommend? Photos: My current lips vs my ideal lips; the distance between my lips & my nose

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

There are surgical and non-surgical approaches to lip augmentation. Non-surgical approaches include botox (slight lift, reducing gum show) and filler (volume restoration). Surgically, you can have two separate incisions under the nose (italian), one incision under the nose (bull horn), one incision at the red/white upper lip junction (gull wing) or two separate incision at the corners, or a combination, depending on your desired look and anatomy. My preferred surgical technique is called the Elelyft, which is a version of the bullhorn approach. 
The ideal candidate for the Elelyft, or upper lip lift, is someone with a philtral length of 14mm or longer, no upper dental show, and/or a thin upper lip. The nasal base to mouth width ratio needs to be taken into consideration to avoid leaving the lip corners down. 
The lip lift will get you closer to your goal, however, keep in mind that the upper lip should not be larger than the bottom lip in ideal aesthetics. 
Gary Linkov, MD

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

The short answer to your question is that an upper lip lift, if done correctly, can achieve more show and size of your upper lip while also decreasing the amount of the white or cutaneous part of your upper lip (skin between the lip and nose). As long as you do not have healing or scarring issues, the incisions are along the crease of your lower nose and are not seen and you can lift the lip up to see more of the red part of the upper lip. I would recommend a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon in your area.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, you seem to have quite nice, proportional lips. I do not think that further augmentation (you may try fillers to see how it looks) or a lip lift, would improve your facial balance. Rather conservative ethnic rhinoplasty may help. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in nose/lip surgery is recommended. Good luck.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for writing,The best answer will come form an in person, face to face, three dimensional, evaluation of your entire face. Also the discussion should center on what is reasonably obtainable and what you desire. I believe in the KISS principle, Keep It Simple Stupid, do the easy, simple, repeatable, reversible (if necessary) things first. Otherwise you’ve crossed a bridge and based on the surgery it’s not reversible and your stuck. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can discuss all this with you and help you make an accurate decision for yourself. Good luck Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member:RealSelf Hall of Fame 
VERIFIED: Plastic Surgeon

Can a lip lift help me achieve this look?

Answers (4)

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