Who is a Candidate for a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is different from injectable treatment in that it is a surgical procedure designed to provide extraordinarily long-lasting results. Candidates for surgical lip lifting include:

• Patients who are seeking to enhance and add a modest amount of volume to the appearance of the lips
• Patients who are looking to widen the colored areas of their lips
• Patients who are looking to minimize signs of age on the lips
• Patients who are looking for lip augmentation solutions that last longer than injectable fillers

Dr.Ferguson will talk about all aspects of surgical lip lifting treatment with you during your initial consultation. 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. At your consult we will discuss your options with you and help you determine the best treatment for your needs.

How is Lip Lift Surgery Performed?

There are a number of different lip lifting techniques; however, the most common is the Subnasal Incision, or “bullhorn” technique. During this procedure, a small incision is made under the nose to remove a thin strip of tissue. The removed skin looks somewhat like the shape of a bull’s horns. 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.

Surgical lip lifting can be performed under general anesthesia or with a local anesthetic and I-V sedation on an out-patient basis.

What is Recovery 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. Ferguson will talk with you about all risks of this procedure at your initial consultation. Results of surgical lip lifting can last 5 to 10 years or more in some cases.

Will I Have a Scar?

As with all surgical procedures, scarring is inevitable. However, a lip lift generally utilizes small incisions within the natural crease at the undersurface of the nose. As a result, scarring from a lip lift can be virtually undetectable once incisions are fully healed and the scar has begun to mature. Be sure to go over any existing scars you have and see if you are prone to raised or keloid scarring due to an excess of collagen.