Your Guide to Lip Lifts: What to Know Before Getting a Lift - Sand Plastic Surgery of Spokane (2024)

Jordan Sand

Jordan P. Sand, M.D., F.A.C.S. is the Director of Sand Plastic Surgery of Spokane.

Most of us were not blessed with a set of full lips at birth. For others, age can rob us of lip height and fullness. In all cases, thinner lips and an aged appearance are the results. The good news is that there is a solution. A lip lift may give you the full, youthful lips that you want. However, there are several different types of lip lift and they are not all the same.

Are Lip Lifts the Same as Lip Injections?

While injections of lip fillers can lift your lips and give you a poutier expression, they do not offer the same results that a lip lift will. Lip lifts are surgical procedures, whereas lip fillers are non-surgical. Lip fillers also offer temporary results, while lip lifts are permanent.

Types of Lip Lifts

While all lip lifts help add height to your lips, they do not all work in the same way, nor do they all create the same results. Some of the most common types of lip lifts performed today include the following:

• Subnasal Bullhorn – This is one of the most common lift lips, and involves an incision at the base of the nose (where the scar is easily hidden). The procedure shortens the distance between the nose and the top of the upper lip and pulls the center and both corners of the lips up.

• Corner Lift – A corner lip lift can offer those with downturned lips the change they desire. It pulls both corners up, creating a more neutral expression. It can also be combined with other types of lift to achieve all-over benefits.

• Central Lift – A central lip lift creates an incision at the base of the nose and shortens the distance between the nose and the lip, but only pulls up the center of the top lip, rather than the center and sides, the way a subnasal bullhorn lift does.

Other types of lip lifts include Italian lifts and direct lip lifts. The Italian is similar to a subnasal bullhorn lift but requires two smaller incisions – one under each nostril. The direct lift creates a defined border and exposes more of the pink underside of the lip, but sometimes leaves a visible scar on the upper lip.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?

Most people are good candidates for lip lift surgery. However, if you do not have much space between the top of the upper lip and the base of the nose (usually at least 1.5 centimeters), you may be a better candidate for lip fillers or Botox rather than lip lift surgery. The best option is to work with your doctor to define your goals and then learn more about the different procedures that can help you achieve them.

While lip lifts are surgical procedures, they can help you achieve the lifted, youthful lips you deserve. Whether your lips are thinning, are naturally downturned, or you just want a brighter, more beautiful smile, this procedure could be right for you.