Upper Lip Shortening – Lip Lift

As with any surgical procedure, the final result takes time, mainly for the swelling to subside. To minimize scarring, we use special sutures beneath the skin to anchor the upper lip to the connective structures under the nose. This relieves tension on the skin, prevents stretching of the scar, and makes it nearly invisible. The effect is immediate, but the full result becomes visible after about three weeks, when the patient comes for their first follow-up. Over the following months, the effect will continue to improve. The final appearance is seen after 3 months, when scars are fully healed, swelling is almost gone, and the lip area looks rejuvenated. The improved appearance can also be attributed to the softening of the soft tissues in the lips, skin, and underlying structures.

The result of an upper lip shortening procedure is permanent; however, it does not stop the natural aging process.

Potential complications include prolonged swelling, inflammation, or excessive scarring. With precise and gentle tissue handling during and after the procedure, the risk of complications is extremely low. If the patient has had permanent fillers (e.g., silicone, biopolymer, aquamid) injected into the lips previously, it is essential to inform the surgeon during consultation.

During the consultation, we carefully assess the amount of skin to be removed. Typically, 5–7 mm of skin is excised to achieve an attractive appearance and reveal the right amount of upper teeth. In patients with a particularly long upper lip, more skin may need to be removed. The ideal distance between the base of the nose and the red part of the upper lip is 10–18 mm, but this varies by individual and depends on each person’s facial proportions.

A surgical lip lift improves facial balance. Aging leads to the elongation of the white portion of the upper lip (the skin between the nose and the red part of the lip), which gives the face a stern and angry look. At the same time, upper teeth become hidden, and only the lower teeth remain visible, intensifying the harsh appearance. Aging also flattens the attractive relief lines of the upper lip (philtrum, Cupid’s bow) and causes vertical smoker’s lines to appear on both lips. By surgically shortening the area between the Cupid’s bow and the nose, the upper teeth become visible again, the red part of the lip curls outward, and the lips instantly regain a youthful appearance. The red lip area can be further refreshed with hyaluronic acid fillers, although after a surgical lip lift, this is often unnecessary.