A lip lift is an outpatient surgical procedure to shorten the philtrum – the space between your nose and the top of the upper lip. This surgery adds height to the lips, as opposed to volume. It increases the amount of visible pink tissue, making the lips appear fuller and more pronounced.
Are there different lip lift procedures?
Yes, a lip lift can be performed with any of several different techniques. Dr. Balinger will use a technique that suits your needs and treatment goals. Types of lip lift include:
- Subnasal bullhorn: This may be the most common lip lift procedure. The surgeon makes an incision hidden along the base of the nose, often in the shape of a bullhorn. The right, left, and center sections of the lip are pulled up toward the nose with this technique.
- Central: Similar to the subnasal bullhorn, the central lip lift uses an incision at the base of the nose to shorten the space between the nose and the lips.
- Corner: Also known as the grin lift, the corner lip lift can give the face a more cheerful appearance. It is performed by placing two small incisions at the corners of the mouth and removing a small amount of skin. This procedure may be an option if you have downturned lips. It can be performed in combination with another technique to create fuller lips.
- Italian: The Italian lip lift requires two incisions below each nostril. In other respects, it is similar to the subnasal bullhorn lip lift and does not typically leave a noticeable scar.
- Direct: Also known as the gullwing, the direct lip lift is performed to create a more defined lip border. The surgeon removes a thin strip of skin directly above the upper lip and pulls the skin upward to make the vermillion (pink part of the lip) more pronounced. This technique can leave a scar in the area of the upper lip.
