As we age the upper lip becomes smaller, thinner and elongated. Specifically, the appearance of long upper lip may give the impression of aged appearance. Lip fillers can help plump the upper lip but can not help with reducing the length of it. Lip lift is a surgical procedure which restores the youthful and attractive pout of the upper lip.

If you are unhappy with the long distance between your nose and upper lip and if you feel that this gives you an overall “aged” appearance then a lip lift procedure may be the right choice for you. Lip lift can also be performed on younger patients who are not happy with injectable fillers and are looking for more permanent and more natural results.

Dr. Kitto is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation and performs lip lift procedures in the office under local anesthesia only.

Best Candidates

Women of all ages who are unhappy with the appearance of their upper lip. Patients should be in good overall health, refrain from smoking and don’t have any conditions that hinder healing.

The Procedure

Dr. Kitto starts the procedure by placing numbing medication to ensure that your procedure is pain free and relatively comfortable. After careful and meticulous measurements, the incisions are strategically placed at the base of the nose and a small strip of skin is removed in order to created a fuller and more youthful appearing upper lip. The sutures are very fine and remain in place for 5-7 days. The final result is a natural and a refreshed appearance.

Recovery

As this is an in-office and minimally invasive procedure the recovery is quick and relatively painless. It is common to have mild swelling, bruising and irritation of the operated area for 5-7 days. Post-operative pain is treated with over the counter pain medications. Sutures are removed in the office at 5-7 days after surgery. Patients are seen regularly in the office to ensure a complete recovery.