- Lip Lift procedures with our expert surgeons
- If you are unsatisfied with the results or temporary nature of injections and fillers, lip lift surgery may be right for you
- Results include a more prominent lip line and overall improvement in the facial proportions.
- 0% Finance Available
What’s on this page
- About this Treatment
- What to Expect
- FAQs
- Our Clinics
- Things to Consider
- Why the Private Clinic
- Meet the Surgeons
Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic.
Last Reviewed April 4th 2024
Related Cosmetic Surgery
Lip Lift
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the upper lip and shortens the distance between the base of the nose (columella) and the upper lip (vermillion border).
The area being treated in a lip lift is known as the philtrum. Usually it is genetics that determines the length of your philtrum, but ageing can also cause the philtrum to elongate giving the appearance of thin lips..
A lip lift procedure is ideal for those who are looking to add definition and height to lip. It is best performed on patients who have a long philtrum which is the area between the nose and top lip. Whilst the treatment does not add volume to the lip, many find that it can help the lip to appear fuller.
A lip lift procedure is suitable for patients who may have:
- A long philtrum (15mm +)
- Thin upper lips
- Flat lips
- Inverted lips
- Unbalanced lips
- Downturned mouth corners
Our team of Consultant Plastic Surgeons will work with you to establish the best course of treatment and type of lip lift procedure. Consultations available in London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Northampton.
Lip Lift at a glance
Procedure Time
30 – 45 minutes
Anaesthetic Type
Local
Hospital Stay
Daycase
Support Garments
Dressing
Washing
24hrs
Driving
24hrs
Up & Mobile
2 days
Sexual Activity
4 – 6 weeks
Back to Work
1 week
Exercise
4 weeks
Travel
6 weeks
Recovery Time
6 weeks
Sleeping
Elevated on back for 2 weeks
Final Results
6 – 12 months
Types of Lip Lift procedures
There are a variety of techniques when it comes to lip lift surgery. The most appropriate technique for you will be decided by your surgeon following a consultation where they are able to assess your lip, philtrum size and discuss what results you are expecting to achieve.
Subnasal Bullhorn Lip Lift
This is the most common type of lip lift procedure that will be performed. An incision will be made from one nostril to the other. The skin just under the base of the nose (philtrum) will then be cut and pulled upwards from the centre, right and left of the lip. The incision is designed to be concealed along the base of the nose and often takes the shape of a bullhorn.
Central Lip Lift
A central lip lift is similar to a bullhorn lip lift but the incision is instead just made within the lower nose. A small area of skin is then removed from the centre. Unlike the bullhorn lift, the lip is only lifted from the centre and not the sides. It is ideal for increasing the pronunciation of the cupid’s bow.
Italian Lip Lift
An Italian lip lift is also similar to the more commonly performed bullhorn lip lift. Rather than having one incision that runs from the end of one nostril to the other, this technique involves 2 small incisions under each nostril. Excess skin is removed and the skin is then lifted within the nostrils. These incisions help to lift the left and right sides of the lips for a more subtle result.
Direct Lip Lift
Also known as a ‘gullwing lip lift’, a direct lip lift aims to create more defined border to the upper lip. It involves a thin strip of skin being removed from the philtrum area. The skin is then pulled upwards to emphasise the border of the lips (vermillion). The scar from this procedure is usually along the upper lip area.
Corner Lip Lift
A corner lip lift is designed to just lift the corners of the lips. This is best for those who are unhappy with downturned mouth corners. Small triangular incisions are made at the mouth corners and a small section of skin is removed before it is then pulled to achieve a more lifted appearance. A corner lip lift can be combined with additional lip lift procedures for full lip rejuvenation.
Ask us a question
What to Expect
The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of people placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.
The Consultation
If you are considering lip lift surgery, then a consultation with one of our expert surgeons will be your first step.
There are a variety of techniques used for lip lift surgery and it is important that you have a full consultation so that our surgeons can assess each patient’s individual cases.
All faces are different and so our lip lift procedures are customised to each patient and at your consultation, you will be able to find out about each technique in more detail whilst allowing the surgeon to examine the areas that you are concerned about.
Your surgeon will then discuss
- Your medical history
- Your expectations from surgery
- Risks and complications of lip lift surgery
- Recovery and Aftercare
After your consultation, you will be allocated a dedicated patient coordinator who will be your point of contact should you wish to proceed with lip lift surgery.
Pre-Operative Advice
In the interests of patient safety, all of our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Your medical history will be reviewed by our surgeons and pre-operative nursing team and they will select which pre-operative tests to carry out.
Most pre-operative assessments include a blood test, MRSA swabs, urine test and a blood pressure test – but this will differ from patient to patient.
Lip lift Surgery
When you arrive at the hospital for your lip lift procedure you will be greeted by our medical team who will prep you for surgery.
The procedure is most commonly performed as an outpatient procedure which does not require an overnight stay.
- Local anaesthetic will be injected into the areas being treated.
- Depending on the technique being used, an incision will be made under the nose, on top of the lip or corners of the lips.
- Excess skin will be removed.
- The skill will be pulled up to the incision and closed with absorbable stitches.
- The area will have dressing applied.
- Patients will be taken to a recovery room to be monitored post-procedure.
You will be required to remain in the hospital for a couple of hours post-procedure so our medical team can monitor you. Once our surgeon and medical team are happy that your initial recovery is stable and that you can comfortably eat and drink post-procedure then you will be allowed to leave the hospital with your chaperone.
After your lip lift procedure
Once the local anaesthetic begins to wear off post-procedure you may begin to feel some pain and discomfort but this should be easily managed by pain medication and will gradually wear off in the days following.
Swelling is common and tends to last for 2 -3 days post-procedure and we, therefore, advise that patients allow 1 week before returning to work, especially if they are in a customer-facing or active/strenuous role.
Patients should not be smoking in the weeks following a lip lift procedure and we strongly advise all patients to quit smoking before going ahead with any type of surgical procedure.
Patients should take care not to open their mouths too wide when yawning etc in the recovery period. It is also best to use a toothbrush with a smaller head and not to sleep directly on the area.
Patients can return to vigorous exercise after 4 weeks.
A follow-up appointment will be booked with your surgeon 6 weeks post-procedure.
The Private Clinic have collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer 0% finance for our patients.*
*Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.
FAQs
Lip lift surgery usually takes around 45 minutes to perform. You will be in the hospital for longer however as you will need to be monitored by our medical team following surgery.
Patients are usually able to leave after 3-4 hours.
Not everyone may be suitable for lip lift surgery. During your consultation, your surgeon will be assessing the amount of skin between the top of your mouth and your nose.
Patients who have a long philtrum, of more than 15 mm are most suitable for lip lift surgery however the facial characteristics and measurements of each patient along with the desired look that they want to achieve will determine their suitability and the amount of lift that is required.
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that involves removing skin from the area between the nose and upper lip. Dermal Lip fillers are injections and do not require surgery.
A lip lift procedure is not designed to give the full effects that dermal lip fillers can achieve. In most cases, a combination of both treatments will give patients their ideal result.
Lip lift surgery should not be performed on patients who:
- Have an active skin disorder on the face, or being treated on the face
- Have an infection or illness
- Have active cold sores
- Currently smoke
Can I get a lip lift while I still have filler left in my lips?
Ideally, we prefer that patients have no dermal filler in their lips before going ahead with lip lift surgery. It just means that the surgeon can assess the true volume of your natural lips to decide on the best technique to help you achieve the best result.
If you have asymmetries in your lips that filler is hiding, then it is also best to wait until there is no filler in the lips so the surgeon can take into account the asymmetry when planning the surgery.
However, at the surgeon’s preference, a lip lift procedure can still be carried out on lips that do have dermal filler inside. This is usually for cases where the amount of filler is subtle and it is not hiding any asymmetries which could affect the results of the lip lift.
It is best to come to see us for a consultation where we can discuss your concerns and assess your lips to ensure you receive the best advice.
You will be able to see immediate results following lip lift surgery however swelling is expected for the first few days which can last over a week. We advise that the best results will begin to be seen after 2-3 weeks but ideally at 6 weeks.
The location of your scar following a lip lift procedure will depend on the technique used.
For most patients the scar will initially be visible underneath the nose or within the nostrils. The scar may appear red at first, but this will begin to fade over 6-12 weeks and can take up to 12 months to fully mature and fade. Your surgeon will offer scar care advice at your 6 week follow-up appointment.
Lip lift procedures are permanent and are not able to be reversed. The procedure involves removing skin from the face and this cannot be replaced.
Your normal smile should not be affected by a lip lift procedure. The swelling post-procedure can impact your ability to smile for a few weeks but once healed, everything should return to normal.
In some cases, a lip lift procedure can cause a gummy smile where the gums are visible upon smiling as a lip lift often increases the visibility of your teeth when you smile.
Yes, a lip lift can be combined with another surgical procedure such as a Facelift or Rhinoplasty. It is best to discuss your goals with your surgeon who will be able to advise on the ideal treatment plan as combined surgery may not be suitable for everyone.
Everyone’s face is different, so there is not a perfect ratio that would suit everyone.
Historically, the ideal ratio of the vertical height of the upper lip to that of the lower lip is 1: 1.6. This means that the lower lip is 1.6 times the height of the upper lip and the width of the mouth should be 1.6 times the width of the bottom of the nose.
There are so many factors that influence a lip ratio including the amount of white lip visible, the shape of your face, your bone definition and even the length of your teeth.
For most people, the ideal lip length will be anywhere from 9mm – 8mm but it all will depend on the overall features of the entire face.
The amount of skin removed in a lip lift procedure will vary from patient to patient depending on their individual requirements. On average, around 5mm – 7mm of skin will be removed.
Yes, you will be able to get dermal lip filler following a lip lift procedure. Your surgeon can advise when you will be able to get dermal filler, this is usually around 2 months following your lip lift procedure once the area is appropriately healed.
lip lift surgery is Available in these Clinics
Things to Consider
Our advice on what to consider when deciding to have a lip lift procedure:
1. When choosing a clinic, you should always do your research, and only go to an established, reputable clinic.
The Private Clinic has been in the cosmetic surgery industry for over 40 years. We are here to answer all of your questions and give you peace of mind.
2. When choosing a surgeon, make sure you know who you’ll be seeing. Their expertise, qualifications and patient satisfaction rate are important factors to take into consideration.
At The Private Clinic, we only source the most experienced and specialised surgeons. Find out more about our plastic surgeons here.
3. Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing where to have your treatment. Safety should be your number one priority and feeling confident that they will look after you – not only before, but also after your procedure
4. When it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Always find out what your clinic’s reputation is.
Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape.
Why Choose The Private Clinic
- The Private Clinic are a multi-award-winning Cosmetic Surgery provider with over 40 years’ experience.
- We have world-class top specialist facial plastic surgeons.
- Dedicated care with your expert surgeon and nursing team, and a 24 hour help line.
- We have state of the art hospital facilities.
- Competitively priced for our expertise and experience.
- As many post-operative care appointments with your surgeon and nursing team as required.
- Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way.
- 5 Star Trustpilot Rating.
Meet our Surgeons
We have a dedicated Plastic Surgeon and medical team who will be with you throughout your journey. At The Private Clinic lip lift surgery is performed by some of the UK’s top consultant plastic surgeons who have decades of experience.
BSc, MB ChB (Hons), MD FRCS (Plast), MicroSurg. (Hons), ORL H&NSurg
GMC Number: 4686602
London Harley Street
BS, MD
GMC Number : 6130664
London Harley Street
BSc, MB ChB (Hons), MD FRCS (Plast)
GMC Number: 4404969
London Harley Street
Ms Monica Fawzy
MBChB, MRCS, FRCS (Plast)
GMC Number : 6051977
London Harley Street
