Lip Lift

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX

A lip lift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can restore a more youthful-looking appearance by revitalizing the shape and fullness of your upper lip. The era of trying to overfill lips is gone; controlling the shape of the lips is key. A lip lift is a powerful, yet subtly secret shape changer. It is a way to rejuvenate the lips and enhance the red pigment without overfilling them. Many patients add filler strategically to shape the lips, but it is targeted and purposeful once the excess skin of the upper lip and the shape have been corrected. During this procedure, your surgeon can reduce the height between your nose and the pigmented border of your upper lip, achieving a more youthful, defined appearance that you can enjoy for years to come. (1)

Austin Plastic Surgeon is among Texas’s leading plastic surgery practices.

To start working with our team, please schedule a consultation online. You may also call the office most convenient for you:

About the Lip Lift

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that can augment the shape and fullness of your lips to restore a more refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. It increases the redness showing, improves the overall shape, and gives the lips a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Over time, intrinsic and extrinsic factors can affect the lips, such as lifestyle habits, gravity, the natural effects of aging, and more. These can cause several changes to occur, such as the elongation of the space between your upper lip and your nose, as well as sagging, droopiness, and fine lines. (2) A lip lift offers a solution to addressing these concerns, allowing you to restore your smile, shape, and appearance.

Benefits

Lip lifts offer several benefits, including:

  • Improved Definition: A lip lift can establish a clearer border between your skin and the pigmented portion of your lips.
  • Enhanced Fullness: Your surgeon can perform a lip lift to address any volume loss.
  • Elevated Proportions: Augmenting the fullness and shape of your lips can create a more balanced appearance by restoring the harmony between your facial features.
  • Long-Lasting Results: The results of a lip lift are permanent, making this procedure a worthwhile investment for many.
  • Tailored Surgical Plans: Your surgeon will design your treatment plan according to your personal concerns, desired results, and natural lip shape.
  • Minimal Scarring: Our surgical team takes great care in hiding each incision within the contours and curves of your lips.
  • Increased Red Show: The lip lift can turn the lip up and out to enhance the cupid bow and increase the red show. This gives the lips a youthful, sexy appearance.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a lip lift if you are interested in refining the shape, fullness, and overall appearance of your lips. A lip lift is beneficial for patients who wish to avoid fillers, but it can also pair effectively with fillers in a targeted way. This is great for patients who have always had limited red pigment showing in their lips, have lost significant weight, or have mature aging lips.

To qualify for this procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You will also need to be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine for an extended period of time. Your surgeon will finalize your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

There are no singular, cookie-cutter solutions when it comes to facial rejuvenation, which is why we ask that you attend a personal consultation before undergoing your lip lift. During this consultation, your surgeon will meet with you individually to explain what a lip lift is, finalize your candidacy, and create your treatment plan. They will ask you a series of questions to learn more about your medical history, personal concerns, and desired outcomes. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your natural facial anatomy and skin quality.

Your surgeon will use each detail shared to create a one-of-a-kind solution for each of your concerns. They will select the most effective surgical techniques and may recommend incorporating additional procedures into your treatment plan based on your ideal results. Your surgeon will also dedicate time to answering and addressing any questions that you may have.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please contact us online or call the office of your choice:

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your lip lift, you will need to begin making certain preparations. To guide you, your surgeon will give you a set of preoperative instructions. They may direct you to:

  • Stop Certain Medications: Discontinue using any medications or supplements that may thin your blood.
  • Prepare Transportation: Arrange a ride home after your procedure from a trusted friend or family member.
  • Arrange Time Off: You might need to take time away from your career, responsibilities, and commitments while you heal.
  • Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from consuming any alcohol in the days before and after your appointment.
  • Stop Smoking: Cease any nicotine use in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Lip Lift Procedure

When you arrive at your appointment, a member of our team will lead you to a private surgical suite where you will meet with your surgeon. A lip lift at Austin Plastic Surgeon can be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia (which is common when done in combination with our procedures). Your surgeon will reconfirm the plan before they administer a local anesthetic to the treatment areas to enhance your comfort.

For the most commonly used technique, your surgeon will carefully place an incision just beneath your nose. They will remove a strip of tissue and shorten the space between the lips and the nose to create better proportions and expose more pigmented lip tissue. This is also known as the bullhorn lip lift. However, the lip lift at Austin Plastic Surgeon typically goes much deeper as the underlying structures are tightened and suspended to take the tension off the skin. It also helps improve the overall shape of the lips, as it can lift and shape them. This multi-layer approach improves the overall results while giving the surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon full control over the shape of the lips.

Recovery

After a lip lift, you might need to take some time off to allow yourself to heal. You may return to light activities and desk work after just a few days, but you will need to refrain from engaging in any physically demanding or strenuous activities until your surgeon clears you to return.

Throughout your recovery, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will gradually subside on their own.

Your surgeon will provide you with a set of postoperative instructions so that you will know what to expect. By following each one, you can return to your routine sooner and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Results After a Lip Lift

You will be able to enjoy the full results of your lip lift once you have fully healed. Your lips will look more defined and youthful, creating a more proportionate appearance overall. The results of a lip lift are considered to be long-lasting, though the tissues will continue to be affected by aging and other factors over time.

Cost of a Lip Lift in Austin, Texas

The cost of your lip lift will vary depending on several factors of your treatment, such as the number and type of corrections your surgeon performs and the complexity of your procedure overall. Once your surgeon has met with you to discuss each of these details and establish your treatment plan, they will provide a comprehensive price estimate.

To learn more about the pricing of a personalized lip lift, please schedule a consultation online or call the office of your choice:

FAQ

What concerns can a lip lift address?

A lip lift can address cosmetic concerns relating to lips, such as lip elongation, poorly-defined lips, and general signs of aging in the region.

Will I be able to speak and smile normally after my lip lift?

During the healing phase, you should use caution when smiling, as too much tension could irritate the incision. Once you have fully healed, you will be able to smile as much as you please. Your voice will not be impacted by the procedure.

How long will it take for me to recover from a lip lift?

You will be able to return to most of your daily activities within about a week. However, you will need to avoid any strenuous or physically demanding activities until your surgeon has approved.

How long will the results of a lip lift last?

The results of a lip lift are considered to be long-lasting thanks to the precise surgical techniques used. This means that you can enjoy your results for years to come. This offers an attractive alternative to lip filler, which fades after a few months post-injections.

If I undergo a lip lift, will I be able to receive lip fillers in the future?

Yes, you may receive lip fillers if you have previously undergone a lip lift. Your surgeon will provide you with any applicable advice, including when you may safely receive them. A lip lift does not actually add any volume to your lips, though they can appear fuller as a result of the procedure. For this reason, some patients still want to add a little volume boost, and fillers are a viable option for that.

Can my surgeon pair my lip lift with another aesthetic procedure?

Yes, your surgeon may pair your procedure with another for further facial rejuvenation. During your consultation, your surgeon can assess your eligibility for our other procedures and make personalized recommendations based on your desired results.

References

  1. Zhao H, Wang X, Qiao Z, Yang K. Different Techniques and Quantitative Measurements in Upper lip lift: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Published online March 1, 2023:1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03302-5
  2. Perkins SW, Sturgill RL. Perioral Rejuvenation: Lip Lifts, Corner of Mouth Lifts, and Vermillion Advancements. Facial Plastic Surgery. Published online October 23, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2446-0311