Subnasal lip lift vs endonasal lip lift. Which approach is preferable?

Question

Do they differ a lot when it comes to the final outcome? Like, will one of them give a more natural look then the other? And will the Endonasal Lip Lift deform the Nasal Sill?

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. This comes up in consults all the time. The reality is that the “endonasal” lip lift is basically a marketing gimmick. Only a very small part of the incision actually is in the nostril. And IMHO, this is actually problematic... it disrupts the delicate architecture of the nasal sill and blunts the transition from lip tissue to nasal vestibule tissue. A well-planned and executed subnasal approach is great. Take care and good luck!

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

I prefer the subnasal lip lift as it gives reliable and aesthetically pleasing results. The Endonasal lip lift has the advantage of hiding the scar, however the aesthetic outcomes are not always satisfactory.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello gabrielLip lifts are minor surgical procedures that actually shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip and allow more of your central upper teeth to show both at rest and when you smile. This has sometimes been called the bullhorn procedure because of the shape. The incision at the base of the nose, just within the nostrils, tucks the muscle and shortens the skin providing a youthful upper lip in less than an hour under local anaesthetic
Another method of lip lifting is an excision at the white line or top edge of the lip. This is useful for patients with significant lip lines and lipstick bleed. It will increase the red part of the lip. Filler can be added to make the lip fuller and rounder.
A third surgical treatment uses small incision inside the lip to advance  the red part of the lips forward and out to add volume. Lastly a small excision can be performed at the corner of the mouth to raise this part of the lip.

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

In general, keeping facial subunits separate is preferred. If the incision is going from the upper lip into the nose then subunits are being traversed and this could create an unnatural appearance over time. A subnasal approach is generally more reliable.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

The quality of your result is more surgeon dependent than technique dependent.  Whether one or another method is preferable for you depends on width of your upper lip, width of your nose, how dark and how well defined your nasal sill shadow is, your complexion, and other considerations.

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

Lip lift techniques vary but they are all kind of the same. There is always an incision under the nose (subnasal). Sometimes we can take that incision up into the nostrils depending on the anatomy. The art is in the width and placement of the incision and the closure too. and yes, the nasal sill can be disrupted if an 'endonasal' incision is done and the anatomy is not favorable. Consult a lip lift surgeon to see if you are a candidate and have all your questions answered.

Subnasal lip lift vs endonasal lip lift. Which approach is preferable?

Answers (6)

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