The lips are one of the most important facial features, with many cosmetic practices focusing on the lips to create an improved, youthful appearance. The lips start to show visible signs of aging much faster than other parts of the face. For example, our lips start to show wrinkles and lines, making them appear aged. Have you looked at your lips recently? Do they always seem to be turned downwards or have fallen from their plump condition? If so, these concerns can be improved with a surgical Lip Lift.

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is an in-office facial plastic surgery procedure and a lip enhancement procedure designed to improve the appearance of the lips and facial aesthetics by reducing the space between the nose and upper lip and elevating a thin or downturned mouth. This surgical procedure is designed to provide structural and aesthetic improvements, giving you amazing results.

Lips can start to look permanently downturned or even fall away from the nose with excess skin due to loss of volume in the skin. By getting a lip lift procedure, which involves lifting the upper lip through an incision placed in the natural crease beneath the nose, you can have fuller-looking, elevated lips. A lip lift is an innovative procedure designed to improve the overall appearance of your mouth and rejuvenate lips that have been affected by the aging process.

For most people, the goal of a cosmetic procedure is to create a natural and youthful look. Lip lift procedures are an excellent way to improve the lips and create a natural appearance, with long-lasting results and satisfying aesthetic results that enhance patient confidence.

A lip lift can alter the appearance of the lips by:

• Adding the appearance of volume to the upper lip.
• Exposing the hidden upper teeth.
• Reversing a downturned lip corner (corner lip lift).
• Eliminating lines caused by natural aging.
• Exposing more of the pigmented lip tissue and enhancing the vermilion border for a fuller, more defined look.
• A central lip lift can also enhance the shape and definition of the Cupid’s bow, contributing to a more youthful and attractive lip contour.

A lip lift is commonly known for its ability to plump thin lips, but it can also be used to improve signs of aging and a downturned mouth. Many patients experience a noticeable improvement in the appearance of their lips and overall facial aesthetics after a lip lift. Patient satisfaction is high due to the natural-looking results achieved with this procedure, which enhance the overall look of your lower face.

For some patients, combining a lip lift procedure with lip fillers can also help lead to further lip enhancement. To learn more about combining procedures, please feel free to ask during your consultation appointment.

Dr. Picerno and Dr. Cote are experts in the field of facial cosmetic surgery. We want you to be able to smile confidently. With this minimally invasive procedure, since it is relatively straightforward, there is very minimal scarring and downtime. The incision is typically hidden within the natural crease under the nose, minimizing visible scarring. The two doctors have over 45 years of combined experience, so you can trust that your surgeons at FacesFirst will provide you with natural-looking, lasting results.

Gallery

Before and After

A lip lift is commonly known for its ability to plump thin lips, but it can also be used to improve signs of aging and a downturned mouth. A lip lift can transform your smile and enhance the overall look of your lower face.

 

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*actual patient of FacesFirst Cosmetic Surgery

Choosing the Lip Lift Treatment

Dr. Picerno and Dr. Cote can determine if a lip lift would benefit you during a consultation appointment. During your consultation, they will discuss your aesthetic goals to ensure the procedure aligns with your desired facial aesthetics. To create a treatment plan, they will look at the 3-Ds of your face. The 3-Ds help them address the different changes in the face to create the most balanced look. Following the recommended treatment plan helps achieve optimal results. These 3-Ds are:

• Dermal: Skin changes that occur due to loss of collagen and elastin, as well as sun damage or movement.
• Deflation: Lost volume that occurs in the face, causing the lips to lose definition.
• Descent: These are changes in the skin that cause the skin to sag. This is most relative to the Lip Lift since many lips start to become longer over time, causing the top lip to gradually move further away from the bottom of the nose.

Type of Lip Lift Techniques

There are various surgical techniques that can be employed to achieve a lip lift. The surgical technique that is right for you may vary depending on factors such as your individual anatomy and desired results. These options may include:

• Bullhorn lip lift (subnasal lip lift or indirect lip lift): This is the most common and popular lip lifting technique. A single incision is created in the shape of a bullhorn below the nose, in the perioral area. The center and sides of the upper lip are then brought upwards by removing a strip of tissue beneath the nose, which enhances the vermilion and can also help lift the corners of the mouth. The bullhorn lip lift may be combined with other procedures, such as corner lifts or tissue resection, for additional contouring effects.
• Central Lip Lift: An incision is created at the base of the nose to lift the center of the upper lip, also called the Cupid’s bow.
• Corner Lip Lift: This technique focuses on elevating the corners of the mouth. It is often performed for individuals with downturned or drooping lips.
• Gullwing Lip Lift (direct lip lift): An incision is created along the border of the upper lip (similar to the shape of a flying seagull). This helps to create a more defined top lip.
• Italian Lip Lift: This technique provides a more subtle lift than a bullhorn lift but does not lift the center of the lip. It involves the creation of two incisions at each nostril.
• V to Y Lip Lift: An incision is created in the shape of the letter “V” and closed with an incision in the shape of the letter “Y.”

Some lip lifting techniques involve incisions in the perioral area to achieve the desired lip shape. In addition, certain techniques can subtly affect the lower lip, improving overall lip balance and facial harmony. Lip lift procedures can also be combined with other procedures, such as facelifts, neck lifts, brow lifts, or rhinoplasty, for comprehensive facial enhancement.

Lip Lift Recovery

Lip lift surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia in the office and only takes about an hour to complete, though general anesthesia may be used in some cases, especially if combined with other procedures. Ideal candidates for a lip lift are those who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their upper lip and are seeking improvement. It is important to inform your surgeon about any blood-thinning medication you are taking, as these may need to be stopped prior to surgery.

The recovery time for a lip lift is fairly quick, with most patients able to return to normal activities within a week. Swelling is common after surgery and typically subsides within a week. While the incision is healing, you are free to apply makeup to the area to cover it. Visible scarring is minimal and usually well-concealed, but proper care is important to minimize its appearance. Full results are visible once the area is fully healed.

Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions tailored to your needs to ensure that the healing process goes as smoothly as possible. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and ensure optimal recovery. Undercorrection is a rare complication where the desired enhancement is not fully achieved and may require further adjustment.

Schedule a Lip Lift Consultation in Denver & Lone Tree

To schedule an appointment at FacesFirst Cosmetic Surgery, call the office at 303-744-2300 or fill out an online form.

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Nicolette Picerno, M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at FacesFirst | Website

Dr. Nicolette Picerno is a double-board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. She received her medical degree from Hahnemann University, School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and completed her fellowship for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Beeson Aesthetic Surgery Institute in Carmel, IN. She also completed the Cenegenics Physician Training and Certification in Age Management Medicine program in 2012 and became a certified BioTE provider in 2014. When not in the office, Dr. Picerno enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, skiing, playing tennis, and running her doggie daycare with her husband.