The Brits talk about “keeping a stiff upper lip.” And maybe that’s not such a bad idea when it comes to aging. The aging process can take a toll on the lips and can widen the area between the nose and the mouth which can look aesthetically unappealing. The mouth ages along with the face, but it is frequently ignored when performing facial rejuvenation, even though it is a crucial contributor to how someone looks.
The types of lips that are considered beautiful depend on regional differences as well as popular culture. A 2016 scientific study of lip attractiveness found that lip size preference varies, depending on where you live.
Most lip enhancement involves making lips bigger. However, for a significant number of people, making the upper lip smaller–via a lip lift–is a more appropriate procedure. A lip-lift procedure can improve lip and smile aesthetics. The goal of the lip-lift procedure is to shorten the upper lip which results in a more volumized “rolled-out” lip.
What is a lip lift?
A lip lift is an in-office surgical procedure that shortens the space between the nose and the top of the lip. The procedure increases the amount of pink tissue that’s visible which makes the lips look fuller and more pronounced.
A lip lift is a good option for people who want to add height rather than volume to their lips, something that people often want to do when the mouth shows signs of aging. Lip surgery may also be appropriate to treat a cleft lip.
What are lip fillers?
Lip fillers are used to treat smile lines and to pump up the lips and cheeks. Botox injections and dermal fillers can be considered instead of undergoing a lip lift. These treatments avoid the far more expensive surgical procedure (approximately double the cost of a lip filler). Lip fillers can be a good choice for patients who want a temporary, quick fix for thin lips, with little required down time.
Botox is primarily used to treat dynamic wrinkles.The healthcare provider will inject botox into the muscles that contribute to the specific wrinkles you want treated. The injection process itself takes just a few minutes with noticeable results within two weeks.
How is a lip lift different from fillers?
Unlike lip injections or fillers, which are temporary, a lip lift gives a different type of pout that is permanent. A lip lift also involves surgery with its associated risks and recovery time.
Types of lip lifts: the bulls horn approach
The subnasal bullhorn is one of the more common lip lift procedures. A surgeon will make an incision that’s typically hidden along the base of the nose where it’s less visible. The incision is often made in the shape of the horns of a bull, and the center, right, and left of the lip are all pulled up toward the nose.
This approach typically injects abdominal fat into the upper and lower lips. This meticulous technique produces an almost invisible scar. The procedure is straightforward and is usually performed under local anesthetic. Lip lifts using this technique provide an immediate, dramatic, and permanent result.
Corner lip lift
A corner lip lift gives the face a more smiley appearance. It’s done by making two small incisions at both corners of the mouth and removing a small amount of skin. Some people will get this in tandem with another type of lip lift to give fuller lips. It is an option for people who feel that they have downturned lips.
Lip reduction surgery may be a viable option for someone looking for a permanent solution to reduce the volume of their lips. It’s important to discuss all the potential risks and required costs with a provider beforehand.
Written by Joanne Myers
References
- Lip Lifts: A Procedure to Consider
- The Modified Upper Lip Lift: Advanced Approach with Deep-Plane Release and Secure Suspension: 823-Patient Series
- How I Do It – Approaches to lip augmentation: surgical lip lift
- Lip Shortening Surgery Often Overlooked in Facial Rejuvenation, ASPS Study Reveals
- The upper lip lift using the ‘bull’s horn’ approach
- Lifting lips: 28 years of experience using the direct excision approach to rejuvenating the aging mouth
- Lip Attractiveness: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
- Botox for Facial Wrinkles
- Dermal Fillers
