Lip Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA

A lip lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that enhances the appearance of your lips by restoring a fuller, more defined, and more youthful-looking upper lip. This simple procedure shortens the distance between the bottom of your nose and the upper lip by removing skin under the nose. This restores three aspects of youthful lips:

Beautiful full lips. Lip lift Alexus MD.
  • The vermilion (red part of the lip) is lifted and becomes taller, making the lip look fuller
  • There is increased visibility of the front upper teeth when the mouth is slightly open
  • On profile, the lip is more curved (youthful) vs. straight (older)

These enhancements improve facial harmony. Lip lift surgery can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or with other cosmetic procedures such as lip augmentation or facial rejuvenation.

John T. Alexander II, M.D., J.D., F.A.C.S., and his team specialize in lip lifts with precision, artistry, and attention to detail. With years of experience in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Alexander is dedicated to providing personalized care to his patients, ensuring that they achieve the results they desire. His approach combines advanced surgical techniques with a keen eye for aesthetics, resulting in natural-looking and beautiful results. Discover how a lip lift can completely restore your youthful look by calling Alexander Cosmetic Surgery today. Patients in the San Diego area should call (858) 455-7557 to reach our scheduling coordinator or use our online form to schedule a consultation.

More About Lip Lift

Lip lifts have become an increasingly popular procedure performed by a skilled surgeon, like Dr. Alexander. It can transform a lip that has become thin and flat into a more youthful, full, and aesthetically pleasing lip. Our lips play a crucial role in our facial expressions and communication. When we speak, others naturally focus on our lips and mouth to better understand better what we are saying. As a result, the appearance of our lips can significantly impact how others perceive us and our emotions.

The shape and size of our lips can significantly affect our overall facial appearance. Full, well-defined lips are associated with youthfulness, attractiveness, and beauty. Conversely, thin, flat, or asymmetrical lips can make us appear older, more tired, and less vibrant.

As we age, our lips lose volume, elasticity, and definition, resulting in a thinner and less pronounced upper lip and a less-defined vermilion border. A lip lift addresses these concerns by improving the balance and proportions of the lips and enhancing the overall facial aesthetics.

What is the Vermillion Border?

The vermilion border is the line separating the colored portion of the lip (the vermilion) and the adjacent skin. The vermilion border is a distinct and important feature of the lips, forming a thin, white roll, which contributes to their overall appearance and definition. During lip procedures such as lip augmentation or lip lift, the vermilion border is often a key focus for achieving desired results.

Does a Lip Lift Leave a Visible Scar?

A lip lift procedure involves making a small incision just below the base of the nose to remove a small amount of skin and lift the upper lip. As with any surgical procedure there is a scar, but the lip scar scar is nearly invisible, hiding in the contours of the base of the nose. 

In skilled hands like Dr. Alexander’s, the incision made during a lip lift is well-concealed and camouflaged within the natural contour of the nose. With proper care and follow-up, the scar from a lip lift procedure will fade over time and be more invisible. Dr. Alexander will discuss any concerns or questions during the consultation.

What are the Benefits of a Lip Lift?

The position of the lips in relation to the other facial features is important. A lip lift can:

  • Shorten the distance between your nose and upper lip, improving the balance and proportion of your face.
  • Enhance the visibility of your upper teeth, creating a more attractive and confident smile.
  • Create more symmetry in your face by increasing the size of your upper lip, improving overall facial aesthetics and enhancing your natural beauty.

Asymmetrical lips can create an unbalanced appearance and distract from other features like eyes or cheekbones. Lip lifts can help achieve symmetry in a way that no other procedure can.

Who is the Ideal Candidate For Lip Lift?

The ideal candidate for a lip lift procedure is someone who is unhappy with the appearance of their lips and desires a more youthful, feminine, or aesthetically pleasing appearance. The procedure is typically performed on patients who have:

  • Thin vermilion or thin lips
  • Flat or elongated upper lip, which increases with age
  • A lack of lip definition due to genetics
  • Inability to see the upper teeth when the mouth is slightly open
  • A desire for a more youthful appearance

If you have any of these conditions you should book a consultation with Dr. Alexander to determine if you are a good candidate for a lip lift procedure. He can assess your facial features, discuss your goals and expectations, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Alexander is a skilled plastic surgeon based in San Diego who offers lip lift consultations to patients seeking to enhance the appearance of their lips. During the consultation, Dr. Alexander will

  • Discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure
  • Examine your facial anatomy
  • Determine if a lip lift is the best option to achieve your desired outcome

Dr. Alexander will then explain the procedure, including the incision placement, expected recovery time, and potential risks and complications. He will review your medical history and medications to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure and can safely undergo anesthesia.

Our team will take photographs after Dr. Alexander takes measurements of your lips and facial features to develop a customized treatment plan. He will review before-and-after photos of previous patients who have undergone the lip lift procedure to give you an idea of the results you can expect.

Dr. Alexander and his team will answer any questions about the procedure, recovery, and follow-up care. We will also provide you with an estimated cost for the procedure and discuss financing options if needed.

Ready to take the first step? Call (858) 455-7557 or reach out online today!

Preparing for Surgery

Dr. Alexander will provide instructions to follow before the procedure. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to minimize the risk of complications:

  • Avoiding certain medications
  • Stopping smoking
  • Abstaining from alcohol

Lip lift surgery can be done awake with local anesthesia or with sedation or general anesthesia. You may also need help with aftercare, such as changing dressings and administering medication, so arranging for someone to assist you the first night may be important.

A lip lift involves a recovery period requiring a few days from work, social activities, and exercise. We will provide a timeframe for returning to your normal activities.

Careful preparation before a lip lift procedure can help to ensure a smooth and successful recovery. Follow Dr. Alexander’s instructions closely and communicate any concerns or questions you may have during the process.

The Procedure

During the lip lift surgery, Dr. Alexander will help you be comfortable and not feel anything or experience discomfort. 

He will begin the surgery by marking the area of skin to be removed under your nose. He will make incisions in the skin at the bottom of your nose, carefully remove the skin and tissue from the muscle. During a lip lift surgery, about 30% the extra skin is removed, producing the best results. [1] Dr. Alexander will determine the appropriate amount of skin removal by moving the upper lip until the desired amount of front teeth are exposed for maximum attractiveness.

Dr. Alexander will suture the incisions in the deep and top layers of the skin, taking great care to ensure the sutures are perfectly placed to minimize scarring. After the surgery, the wound is covered with a topical antibiotic.

Recovery

While you recover, you may experience a stiff and uncomfortable upper lip for a week or two. OTC medication and cold compress can help, as will the prescribed pain medication. [2] It may take two full months for the scar to heal completely, but you can enjoy the benefits of your lip lift procedure after several days.

During the first week of recovery, it’s important to rest and avoid any strenuous activities that could stretch or put pressure on your lip. You should also eat soft foods and avoid any hot or spicy foods that could irritate the area. After the first week, you can gradually return to your normal routine, but be gentle with your lip and avoid any activities that could cause trauma to the area.

Your Lip Lift Results

A lip lift can provide a more youthful, attractive lip and lower face appearance. The procedure can shorten the distance between the nose and the upper lip, resulting in a fuller and more prominent upper lip that reveals more of the teeth when you smile. The procedure can also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, giving you a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

What is the Cost of a Lip Lift in San Diego?

The cost of your procedure will be a part of the consultation discussion. Call (858) 455-7557 today to schedule your appointment.

We look forward to giving you the full, gorgeous lips you have dreamed of!

References

  1. Spiegel JH. The Modified Bullhorn Approach for the Lip-lift. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2019;21(1):69. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2018.0847
  2. Rozner L, Isaacs GW. Lip lifting. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 1981;34(4):481-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/0007-1226(81)90063-1