If you’ve been searching for a way to make your lips appear fuller and your smile more aesthetic, a lip lift might be a great treatment option for you. A lip lift can provide effective, natural-looking results when it comes to improving the shape and appearance of your lips, increasing patient confidence.
Board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sean T. Lille, MD PC, is proud to offer the lip lift procedure to patients in Scottsdale, AZ. To learn more about our lip lift procedure and how it can help improve and enhance the look of your lips and smile, check out our FAQ below:
What Is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on reducing the space between your nose and lips. By doing this, your lips will become more defined, making them appear fuller and also natural-looking. A lip lift can enhance the appearance of your lips by doing the following:
- Covering over-exposed upper teeth
- Adding more volume to the upper lift
- Reversing down-turned lip corners
- Eliminate fine lines or wrinkles around the mouth area
- Achieve facial balancing
- Define the natural shape of the lips
- Increase patient self-confidence
If Dr. Lille deems you a suitable candidate for the lip lift procedure, the type of lip lift technique performed on you will depend on your aesthetic goals.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for a Lip Lift?
Ideal candidates for the lip lift procedure will have an uneven or disproportionate amount of space between the upper and lower lip. Most patients seeking a lip lift have an upper lip that is noticeably smaller than the lower lip. Because a lip lift focuses on enhancing the upper lift, once this balance is achieved, the patient can enjoy a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
You may be a candidate for a lip lift if you experience the following:
- Your upper lip overhangs your lower lip
- Your lips appear too far below your nose
- You have a long upper lip
- You have a gummy smile
While the lip lift procedure is safe and effective for many people, not everyone will qualify as a candidate. If your top lift is too short, a lip lift may not be possible. Patients with a receding chin may also not be recommended for the procedure. If you have diabetes, blood clotting conditions, oral herpes, or any other underlying health conditions that may complicate the success of your lip lift procedure, you may not be a suitable candidate.
What Are the Different Types of Lip Lifts?
Depending on your aesthetic goals, the lip lift surgery Dr. Lille may perform can vary. The different types of lip lifts include:
Bullhorn lip lift: As the most common lip lift surgery, one incision will be made in the shape of a bullhorn under your nose, making room to lift the center and sides of your upper lip.
Central lip lift: This surgery requires one incision at the base of your nose to lift the upper lip at the Cupd’s bow.
Corner lip lift: This surgery focuses on lifting the corners of the mouth to achieve a soft, smiling appearance, perfect for patients with downturned lips.
Gullwing lip lift (direct lip lift): To create a more defined top lip, an incision in the shape of a seagull will be made along the border of your upper lip to improve contouring and definition.
Italian lip lift: This surgery involves two incisions at each nostril, creating a more subtle lifting of the upper lip by lifting the sides but not the center.
V to Y lip lift (V-Y advancement): This surgery begins with an incision in the shape of a letter V to allow for lip lifting. A letter Y shape will be made to close the incision.
During your consultation, your goals, medical history, health, and other concerns will be taken into consideration by Dr. Lille to determine which surgical lip lift technique is right for you.
What Is Recovery Like after a Lip Lift?
After your lip lift procedure, you can expect to experience swelling, soreness, and tightness of the lips for one to two weeks, which is normal. During recovery, do the following:
During recovery, do the following:
- Avoid using a straw for at least one week.
- Sleep on your back.
- Keep your head elevated while lying down.
- Avoiding excessive talking for at least a week.
- Follow Dr. Lille’s aftercare guidelines, especially if medication is recommended.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Avoid smoking.
- Stick to a diet of soft foods to minimize chewing.
Within six to eight weeks, you will notice the improved appearance of your enhanced lips!
Schedule a Consultation for a Lip Lift with Dr. Lille
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sean T. Lille, MD, PC, draws from 20+ years of experience to provide high-quality treatments to patients looking to improve their appearance and enhance their lips in a natural, aesthetic way. To schedule a consultation for lip lifts with Dr. Lille, click here or call (480) 661-6197 to reach a member of our team at our location in Scottsdale, AZ.