Male, 29, long philtrum - Am I a good candidate for a lip lift? (Photos)

Question

Hello! I’ve been thinking about getting a lip lift for years, and I’m still debating whether I would be a good candidate or not. For context, I’m a 29-year-old male, 5'10", and I weigh about 140 lbs. My main concern is my long philtrum, which I feel contributes to my face looking elongated. I also have very little tooth show, both at rest and when I smile. My upper teeth are barely visible, and I feel like it makes me look older — almost like “grandpa-style” teeth. My biggest concerns about the surgery relate to scarring, since I’m very pale, and also the possibility of ending up with too much upper lip after the procedure. I still want my lips to look natural. My philtrum and upper-lip skin feel quite heavy and thick, so I worry that the lift could look too dramatic. A surgeon once suggested possibly doing a lip reduction at the same time to address this concern. Lastly, I’m not sure whether the limited movement of my upper lip — meaning it doesn’t rise enough to show my upper teeth — could be related to my anterior nasal spine, which seems to sit very close above my upper teeth. I’ve always wondered if that bone might physically limit how much the lip can lift from the inside. The reason I think this is that the sides of my smile lift when I smile, but the center portion under my nose barely moves. If you’ve read all of this, thank you — I would really appreciate any guidance or thoughts.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed question—you’ve clearly spent a lot of time understanding your anatomy and concerns, which is incredibly helpful.

Based on what you’ve described, you do sound like a potential candidate for a lip lift, particularly because of the combination of a long philtrum and minimal upper tooth show. Those are actually two of the most common reasons patients consider this procedure. When done appropriately, a lip lift can shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip and allow for more tooth show, which often creates a more youthful and balanced appearance.

That said, your concerns are very valid—and important to address carefully:

1. Natural appearance & avoiding overcorrection
A well-performed lip lift should look subtle, not exaggerated. The goal is not to create a “full” lip in the filler sense, but rather to reposition what you already have. In patients with thicker or heavier upper lip tissue, surgeons typically take a more conservative approach to avoid that overly “done” look you’re worried about.

2. Scarring (especially with fair skin)
The incision is usually placed just beneath the nose (a “bullhorn” incision), and while all scars heal differently, this area tends to heal quite well over time. In very fair skin, scars can initially appear pink but often fade significantly. Proper technique and aftercare make a big difference here.

3. Limited upper lip movement
What you’re noticing—the center of the lip not elevating as much as the sides—is something I do see in some patients. This can be related to muscle dynamics rather than just bone structure. While the anterior nasal spine can influence projection, it’s less commonly the sole reason for limited lip movement. A lip lift can sometimes improve this by reducing the downward pull and improving lip position, but it won’t completely change muscle function.

4. Lip reduction at the same time
This is a more nuanced decision. In some cases, if the upper lip is very thick, a conservative reduction can be combined—but it has to be approached cautiously. Removing too much volume can lead to an unnatural result, especially in men where maintaining a balanced, masculine lip contour is important.

My overall impression:
You seem like a reasonable candidate, but the key to a good outcome in your case is precision and restraint. A conservative lift tailored to your anatomy would likely give you improvement in tooth show and facial balance without making things look overdone.

Male, 29, long philtrum - Am I a good candidate for a lip lift? (Photos)

Answers (1)

More Lip Lift Questions

Worried About Too Much Tooth Show After Lip Lift - Will it Be a Problem? (Photos)

Is a lip lift worth it to shorten the philtrum? Are there other options? (Photos)

How do I reduce my puffy philtrum? (Photos)

Am I really not a candidate for a lip lift? Got rejected for the procedure today. (Photos)

Can lidocaine without epinephrine be used for a lip lift?

What can I do to reduce the prominence of my philtrum? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS