LIP LIFT
The lips are a hallmark of beauty and expression, long considered one of the most prominent and captivating features of the face.
At the same time, they are among the most delicate and vulnerable areas when it comes to aging.
Today, aesthetic treatments focusing on the lips too often result in exaggerated and generic outcomes, creating unnatural lips that lack harmony with the rest of the face and appear visibly artificial.
“When appropriate, a minor surgical procedure can help restore natural proportions and balance in the lower third of the face.”
The lip lift is becoming one of the most sought-after and transformative surgical trends today. It enhances the appearance of your mouth in a natural and lasting way by lifting the upper lip and slightly increasing the visibility of the upper teeth, in harmony with the Cupid’s bow and the vermilion, the red part of the lips.
Before considering this procedure or other aesthetic treatments that may be inadequate or counterproductive, I would like to explain the natural aging process of the lip area.
Over time, the vermilion loses volume and the upper lip elongates. In youth, the lower edge of the upper teeth is often visible in an attractive way, but with aging, the lip can lengthen by more than a third, eventually covering the teeth completely. At the same time, the muscles on either side of the lips (the depressor anguli oris) often cause the corners of the mouth to turn downward, giving a sad or tired appearance.
By considering all these factors, I can approach lip aesthetics more thoughtfully, avoiding unnecessary or unattractive treatments and making the rejuvenation of this area as natural and personalized as possible.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCEDURE
This is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce the distance between the nose and the upper lip, and enhance the Cupid’s bow and vermilion, improving the overall appearance of your face.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. It involves a fine incision just under the nose, at the base of the columella, with the precise and careful removal of a small portion of skin between the mouth and nose.
The incision remains perfectly hidden in the natural groove that separates the upper lip from the nose.
“It is important to consider the benefits of this procedure, especially considering the growing popularity of aesthetic treatments for the lips.
Simply adding volume to the upper lip with a hyaluronic acid filler, without addressing the lip’s length, can often result in an unnatural appearance due to poor proportion.”
FOR A MORE CONSCIOUS CHOICE
We recommend this procedure for patients who notice signs of facial aging, particularly when the distance between the upper lip and the nose has increased, contributing to an older, less vibrant appearance. It is also suitable for cases where the upper lip appears too long or flat, helping to restore facial symmetry and balance while reducing wrinkles around the mouth caused by dehydration and aging. The procedure can also significantly enhance the aesthetics of your smile, making it more expressive and defined by increasing the visibility of the vermilion and highlighting the Cupid’s bow. In some cases, we may consider combining the procedure with a lip filler to further improve hydration and definition.
We treat patients from diverse clinical backgrounds who want to achieve a more youthful, expressive facial appearance. Many notice thinning lips, loss of tissue support, fine lines around the mouth, and a lengthened space between the nose and upper lip. Not long ago, this procedure, which requires only a minimal surgical incision, was primarily reserved for older patients, as the distance between the nose and upper lip naturally increases with age. More recently, the procedure has gained popularity among younger men seeking a fuller, more natural-looking upper lip and a long-lasting alternative to fillers, as well as those seeking correction after multiple filler treatments or addressing congenital or structural lip concerns unrelated to aging. We conduct a detailed analysis of your facial proportions using precise measurements. If the distance between your nose and upper lip is already short or within the normal range, this procedure can produce an unnatural effect; in such cases, injectable fillers may be recommended instead. The procedure is also less suitable for patients with an upturned nose, as the scar may be more visible.
Being in good physical and mental health is essential for achieving the best results, so it is important to choose the most suitable time for your procedure. This is a minor outpatient surgery with a quick, easy recovery, but remember that a small scar will remain. Careful monitoring of the scar during the first 15 days is essential to ensure the best aesthetic outcome and minimize the risk of complications.
After the procedure, mild swelling may occur in the treated area, including the lips, during the first 48 hours. This typically subsides within a few days as the results begin to appear. Stitches are usually removed after 7–10 days, and most patients can resume their normal daily and social activities within about 15 days. Although the scar is small and discreet, it requires care and several months to fully soften and blend in. The complete healing process takes about a year, at which point the final surgical results can be appreciated.
The lip lift is a minimally invasive procedure performed on an outpatient basis. On the day of the procedure, you will be prepared at the clinic with local anesthesia and light sedation if needed. Dr. Elisa Bolletta will make a small incision hidden beneath the nose to remove a very thin strip of skin and reshape the upper lip. The procedure is designed to lift the lip, enhance the Cupid’s bow, and improve the overall harmony of the face.
The procedure is relatively quick, typically lasting between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the adjustment required.
You will not notice any pain during the procedure thanks to local anesthesia. After the procedure, you may experience mild swelling, tightness, or discomfort around the lip, which can be managed with standard pain relief medication.
Swelling and any minor bruising typically resolve within a few days. Most patients can resume daily activities within 3–5 days, taking care to avoid trauma or pressure on the upper lip. The final results become apparent after a few weeks, once the tissue has completely settled.
Avoid excessive lip movements and carefully follow the postoperative instructions provided by the team to minimize swelling and the risk of infection.
A lip lift is generally safe, but minor risks may include swelling, bruising, a visible scar (though the incision is hidden in the natural crease), infection, or slight asymmetry. A thorough assessment and precise surgical technique help minimize these risks.
It is important to understand that the procedure primarily affects the length and shape of the upper lip, not its volume. In some cases, a lip lift may be combined with fillers to achieve a harmonious and natural result, avoiding an unnatural or disproportionate appearance.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled in the days following surgery to monitor healing, lip position, and scar formation. Additional check-ups are planned after a few months and again at one year to evaluate the final aesthetic outcome.
The team consists of Dr. Elisa Bolletta as the lead surgeon, an anesthesiologist (if sedation is required), and specialized nursing staff, all dedicated to ensuring safety, comfort, and meticulous attention to detail during and after the procedure.
