Upper Lip Lift

Surgical Face Upper Lip Lift

For many patients, the upper lip tends to appear smaller as they age. Over time, the skin above the lips can gradually stretch, causing the upper lip to “turn under” and appear smaller. This stretched skin adds excessive vertical height to the area between the nose and the upper lip. That’s what makes an upper lip lift at The Langdon Center a popular, effective way to achieve a more youthful look and enhance your lips.

What is an Upper Lip Lift?

An upper lip lift is a cosmetic surgery designed to shorten the distance between the nose and the upper lip. The skin immediately beneath the nose is removed, and the skin edges are stitched together, providing a physical lift. The result is a more balanced, natural, youthful appearance, with fuller upper lips.

Many people seek a lip lift because their lips have become smaller or thinner with age. Though a lip lift doesn’t actually change the size of your upper lip, it reveals more of it and can enhance the shape. The procedure can also solve the stretched, droopy look of the upper lip that often occurs with age.

Benefits of the upper lip lift include:

  • Quick results
  • Minimal risk of visible scars
  • Lifelong enhancement of the upper lip
  • Improved lip aesthetics

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Frequently Asked Questions

An upper lip lift removes excess skin between the nose and mouth and elevates the upper lip. Board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Langdon performs the procedure in one to two hours with local anesthesia. Thanks to the numbing anesthetic, you’ll experience little to no discomfort during the surgery.

The procedure requires precise vertical height measurement between the nose and upper lip and an artfully designed “bull horn” shaped skin excision to provide the desired lift. Dr. Langdon will make a small incision just under the nose. The incision is curved and well-hidden immediately below the bottom edge of the nose. He then makes a similarly curved lower incision to remove a small section of skin. 

After the excision, Dr. Langdon will stitch the skin edges together. This shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip, thus lifting and everting (turning out) the upper lip.

An upper lip lift is a fairly quick procedure, and you can go home immediately after the procedure. You can expect swelling and bruising around your lips and at the incision site. We will give you instructions for keeping the incision clean, using pain medication as needed, and applying cold compresses to reduce swelling.

Most patients can return to work in three to four days. You can cover up any residual bruising with makeup, and most of your swelling should subside within one to two weeks. Patients will need to return for a follow-up appointment in approximately one week to have their sutures removed. Dr. Langdon will give instructions for when you can resume strenuous exercise and other aftercare details.

The result is an upper lip that appears fuller and more lifted. You may not see the results of your surgery at first due to swelling and bruising, but you’ll start to see the improvements within a couple of weeks. Optimal results can be seen in approximately three months when all swelling has subsided.

One of the primary reasons patients choose an upper lip lift is for its long-lasting results. Lip enhancement with lip fillers, like Juvederm® and Restylane®, typically only lasts a few months.

Your lip lift results should last several years. Many patients enjoy the improvements for a decade or even a lifetime, though your lips and the skin around your mouth will continue to age and may eventually stretch again.

Most people with thin, aging lips or too much space between the nose and mouth can benefit from an upper lip lift. The procedure can increase “tooth show,” reduce signs of aging, and give your lips a fuller, more defined look. However, a lip lift may not be suitable if you do not have enough distance between your upper lip and nose.

Ideal candidates should be healthy overall and have realistic expectations for the outcome. During a detailed consultation, Dr. Langdon will evaluate your goals and facial anatomy to help you determine the best treatment option.

*Individual results may vary.

Upper Lip Lift results.

Take the next step.

To learn more about an upper lip lift or to schedule your consultation with Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Langdon, please fill out the form on this page or call The Langdon Center at (203) 453-8625. We look forward to working with you! The Langdon Center serves patients in the Guilford & New Haven, CT areas.

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