Lip lift

A surgical upper lip lift, also known simply as a lip lift, is a procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the edge of the upper lip. By removing a narrow strip of skin just under the nose, the upper lip is lifted slightly, so that more of the red part of the lip is visible and the area looks younger and more balanced.

The procedure is different from lip enhancement with hyaluronic acid, which adds volume by injection and belongs to the injectable treatments. At Detalii Med, in Baia Mare, the upper lip lift is performed by Dr Marius Pruna and Dr Valeria Pruna.

The procedure may be suitable for:

• people with a long distance between the nose and the upper lip, whether natural or age-related;
• those whose upper lip looks thin because the red part has rolled inwards;
• patients whose upper teeth show very little at rest and who are bothered by this;
• those who want a change in the proportions of the upper lip, not just in its volume.

Smoking, a tendency towards thickened scars, skin conditions in the area and some general illnesses are discussed at the consultation, as they can affect healing and the result.

An upper lip lift can shorten the nose-to-lip distance, show more of the red part of the lip and make the lip look fuller without adding filler. Sometimes slightly more of the upper teeth becomes visible.

The procedure does not add actual volume to the lips, does not treat the fine vertical lines around the mouth and does not change the lower lip. It leaves a scar under the base of the nose which usually fades and becomes discreet, but does not disappear completely. An excessive lift can look unnatural, so the extent of the correction is planned carefully for each patient.

At the consultation, the doctor measures the distance between the nose and the lip and assesses the proportions of the face, how much the teeth show at rest and when smiling, and the shape of the nose and lips. The patient explains what bothers them and what look they would like.

The medical history, medication, smoking, any previous lip injections and any tendency towards scarring are discussed. The doctor explains where the scar will be, how it usually looks over time and whether, in that particular case, a surgical lift or an injectable treatment is the more suitable option.

The procedure is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure and, as a guide, takes about an hour. The doctor precisely marks the strip of skin to be removed, usually following the contour of the base of the nose, in a shape resembling a bull's horns.

After the anaesthetic, this narrow strip of skin is removed and the edges are brought together with fine stitches, so that the scar is hidden as well as possible in the natural crease under the nose. A small dressing or adhesive strips are usually applied at the end.

An upper lip lift is usually performed under local anaesthetic. The patient is awake and the treated area is numb. In some situations, for example when the procedure is combined with other procedures, sedation may be considered, in which case the patient is assessed beforehand by the anaesthetist.

In the first few days, the upper lip is swollen and may feel stiff, and smiling may be slightly limited. There may be bruising and a feeling of tightness under the nose. These gradually settle, usually within one to two weeks.

• The scar is cared for according to the doctor's instructions.
• Stitches are usually removed after about 5–7 days, if they are not dissolvable.
• In the first few days, soft foods and avoiding wide mouth movements are recommended.
• Strenuous exercise and sun exposure of the scar are avoided, and sun protection is used for a few months.

Many patients return to their usual activities after about a week.

Like any surgical procedure, an upper lip lift carries risks:

• a visible, widened or thickened scar;
• lip asymmetry;
• under-correction or, conversely, over-correction;
• temporary changes in sensation in the upper lip;
• infection, bleeding or bruising;
• delayed healing, especially in smokers.

Over time, a small part of the lift may be lost. At the consultation, the doctor explains the risks according to each patient's particular circumstances.

The change in proportion is visible from the start, but in the first few weeks the lip may look more lifted than it will in the end, because of swelling and tissue tension. The shape gradually settles over a few weeks, and the scar continues to fade over the following months. The result is usually assessed after about three to six months.

The result is long-lasting, but natural ageing continues, so the area may change over time.

A surgical upper lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and the lip and shows more of the upper lip, through a discreet incision under the base of the nose, usually under local anaesthetic. It is a change in proportion, not in volume, and differs from lip enhancement with hyaluronic acid. Suitability, the extent of the correction and scar care are agreed at the consultation, at Detalii Med, in Baia Mare.