Many consider lips to be the most sensual part of the face. An upper lip lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the upper lip by shortening the distance between the lip vermilion and the base of the nose. Patients who are good candidates present with a long upper lip or do not show any of their upper teeth when they are not smiling. This lack of tooth exposure can contribute to an aged appearance to the upper lip.

The ideal length of the upper lip for women is 11-13 mm from the base of the nose to the pink of the lip. In females, a beautiful and youthful lip shows 2-4 mm of the upper front teeth at rest (not smiling) and the entire front teeth when smiling. The lips are full with a well-defined Cupid’s bow. An aged upper lip tends to be thin, less full and has diminished pink exposure with poorly defined anatomy.

The surgery can be performed in the office with local or intravenous anesthesia. During an upper lip lift, the surgeon will make an incision just beneath the nose and along the border of the nostrils. A predetermined amount of skin is then excised and either resorbable or non-resorbable sutures are placed. The incision is well hidden beneath the nose. The procedure will increase the amount of pink exposure to the lip, diminish the lip length, and increase the amount of exposure to the upper teeth. Be sure to find an experienced surgeon if you are considering an upper lip lift, so they can evaluate your facial appearance and determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. The usual risks include bleeding, infection, and wound dehiscence. In most cases, the incision heals with a well-hidden scar but laser resurfacing of the incision may improve the overall outcome.