Many people would like to enhance the appearance of their lips, which can ultimately have a positive effect on the entire look of the face. While lip augmentation with injectable fillers can provide beautiful results, surgical techniques can also give the lips a fuller and more youthful appearance.
Who is a Candidate for a Lip Lift?
Surgical lip lifting is different from injectable treatment in that it is a surgical procedure designed to provide long-lasting results. Candidates for surgical lip lifting include:
- Desire to minimize signs of aging in the lips
- Looking for lip augmentation solutions that last longer than injectable fillers
- Patients who are seeking to enhance and add a modest amount of volume to the appearance of the lips
- Desire to increase the “red show” for a lip that is naturally very thin
During your initial consultation for lip enhancement, Dr. Deziel will discuss your options with you and help you determine the best treatment for your needs. Dr. Deziel will review all aspects of the surgical lip lift as well as discuss alternative treatments like lip filler. For patients who desire a less-invasive lip augmentation procedure, and for those who are looking for more temporary results, injectable treatments may be a better alternative.
How is Lip Lift Surgery Performed?
Surgical lip lifting can be performed under general anesthesia or with a local anesthetic and IV sedation. Dr. Deziel offers many different lip lifting techniques; however, the most common is the subnasal Incision, or “bullhorn” technique. During this procedure, Dr. Deziel will make a small incision under the nose and remove a thin strip of tissue. The edges of this incision are then closed together, resulting in a shorter upper lip and enhancing its contours and shape. With this procedure, the incisions are hidden in the natural depression under the nose, which can lead to very small and inconspicuous scars.
What is Recovery From a Lip Lift Like?
Patients can expect some swelling and bruising in the treatment area for a few days after the procedure. Any discomfort can be managed with medication. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with lip lifting, including a very rare risk of temporary or permanent numbness in the lips. Dr. Deziel will discuss with you all of the risks of this procedure at your initial consultation. Results of surgical lip lifting can last 5 to 10 years or more in some cases.
