Would it be worth it for me to get a lip lift? I'm a 26-year-old female. (photo)

Question

I really love the shape and size of my lips, the problem is that I have a small nose relative to the overall size of my face. This makes my philtrum appear quite long. I think I measured it and it was 1.8cm. I also have very little tooth show. When I smile my tooth show is perfect, so I'm afraid of the lip lift causing me to have a gummy smile. My biggest concern is the scarring and any muscle distortion while talking or eating. Can someone please advise me of my best options?

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 13mm 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.

In your situation, a lip lift is definitely an option. The philtrum should not be overresected because you already have some upper dental show. As for the scarring, there are methods to lessen the risk of poor scarring during and after surgery. A skin only lip lift will not distort the muscle.

Gary Linkov, MD 
Lip Specialist / RealSelf Lip Lift Medical Reviewer 
Manhattan

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. It appears that you would be a good candidate for a lip lift procedure as your philtral length is long.  A conservative approach should avoid any unnecessary gum show when smiling, or any distortion when talking or eating.  Hope this helps.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

If you have an 18mm upper lip length, unless you are very very tall, a lip lift is for you.  I likely do more of those than any surgeon anywhere and have for 20 years.  It's done right in the office with no stitches to remove. The results appear immediately and are very beautiful.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Before jumping to surgery, you should discuss the possibility of simply using a filler, such as Belotero Balance, injected along the vermilion (border of the red and white lips) which will not only help to better define the border of the upper lip, but, by flipping the upper lip a bit, will appear to shorten the distance between the base of the nose and the base of the philtral columns. It's simple and will take an experienced injector no more than about thirty seconds to perform. Best of luck.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The distance between your nose and upper lip 1.8 cm, which is long.  I recommend a lip lift.  A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.  The muscle should not be altered during this procedure.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Would it be worth it for me to get a lip lift? I'm a 26-year-old female. (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Defining The Vermilion Border May Help to Visually Improve A Long Philtral Area

Answer: Defining The Vermilion Border May Help to Visually Improve A Long Philtral Area

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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Would it be worth it for me to get a lip lift? I'm a 26-year-old female. (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Defining The Vermilion Border May Help to Visually Improve A Long Philtral Area

Answer: Defining The Vermilion Border May Help to Visually Improve A Long Philtral Area

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.