Upper lip mucosa showing after rhino. Is the only treatment for this an upper lip lift? (Photo)

Question

I'm 2 years post op from a rhinoplasty. My nose used to droop and my upper lip would curl inwards when I would smile with teeth. I believe because the muscle was cut during my rhino, now when I smile with teeth the mucosa always shows underneath my upper lip. Is the only real treatment for this an upper lip lift to then constantly expose the mucosa, then it dries and becomes my 'normal lip'? Or anything else? Is this common? Thanks

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

An upper lip lift would be the worst thing for you.  If you have too much upper lip show already then it would make things worse.  You will most likely need some of the mucosa excised posteriorly to roll your lip back inward.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for providing a photo. It's understandable that this issue is concerning for you.

The visibility of the upper lip mucosa following rhinoplasty can indeed be related to changes in muscle function or tension around the mouth. While an upper lip lift is one option to address this, there are other potential treatments that might help, depending on the specifics of your anatomy and the cause of the mucosa showing.

Lip Fillers: Injectable fillers can add volume to the upper lip, potentially reducing the visibility of the mucosa by providing more structure and support to the lip area.

Botox: In some cases, Botox can be used to adjust the muscle activity around the mouth, which might help in reducing the visibility of the mucosa when you smile.

Revision Rhinoplasty: If the issue is directly related to changes from your initial rhinoplasty, consulting with a plastic surgeon about a revision procedure might be worthwhile. They can assess if any adjustments to the nasal or surrounding structures could improve your concerns.

Non-Surgical Approaches: Sometimes, simple non-surgical approaches like certain facial exercises or physical therapy might help in improving muscle tone and function around the lips.

It's also important to note that while seeing the upper lip mucosa when smiling isn't extremely common, it does occur in some patients post-rhinoplasty. I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic procedures to explore these options further and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

I hope this information helps. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

Upper lip mucosa showing after rhino. Is the only treatment for this an upper lip lift? (Photo)

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Upper lip mucosa showing after rhino. Is the only treatment for this an upper lip lift? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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