Dr. Hootan Daneshmand
Lip Lift Orange County, Newport Beach, & Bakersfield
A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip, revealing more of the vermilion and restoring a youthful upper lip position. At Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daneshmand performs lip lift surgery in Orange County, Newport Beach, and Bakersfield as a permanent alternative to lip fillers and the Botox® lip flip.
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Orange County
Foothill Ranch
27462 Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 Call Now -
Orange County
Newport Beach
351 Hospital Rd, Ste. 604, Newport Beach, CA 92663 Call Now -
Kern County
Bakersfield
1801 16th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301 Call Now
What Is A Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a minor surgical procedure that enhances the shape and position of the upper lip by shortening the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, known as the philtrum. By removing a small strip of skin beneath the nose, the upper lip is gently elevated into a more youthful position, creating the appearance of a fuller, more defined lip without the use of fillers or implants.
Unlike lip fillers, which add volume, a lip lift enhances your natural lip by repositioning the existing tissue for a permanent, natural-looking result. The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, typically takes about an hour, and leaves a small scar that is discreetly hidden along the base of the nose.
What Does A Lip Lift Do?
A lip lift can:
- Shorten a long upper lip for a more youthful appearance
- Increase the amount of visible pink lip (vermilion), making the upper lip appear fuller
- Improve upper tooth show when your lips are at rest
- Enhance the shape and definition of the Cupid’s bow
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines around the upper lip
- Lift downturned corners of the mouth when combined with a corner lip lift
- Improve overall facial balance and harmony
A lip lift is an excellent option for patients who want a more youthful, naturally enhanced upper lip without the ongoing maintenance of injectable fillers. During your consultation, Dr. Daneshmand will evaluate your facial anatomy and recommend the approach that best complements your features and aesthetic goals.
Lip Lift Comparisons: Other Lip Enhancements
Lip Lift vs Lip Filler
Although all three treatments can enhance the appearance of your lips, they work in different ways and are designed to achieve different goals.
A lip lift is a permanent surgical procedure that enhances the shape and position of the upper lip by shortening the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum). By lifting the upper lip into a more youthful position, the procedure increases the amount of visible pink lip, improves upper tooth show, and creates a more defined Cupid’s bow. Unlike fillers, which add volume, a lip lift repositions your natural lip tissue to create the appearance of a fuller lip by adding height rather than volume. The result is a naturally refreshed, balanced appearance with permanent results.
A lip flip uses a small amount of Botox® or another neuromodulator to relax the muscles above the upper lip. As the muscle relaxes, the upper lip gently rolls outward, making it appear slightly fuller. A lip flip does not add volume and produces subtle results that typically last 6 to 8 weeks.
Lip fillers use hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers to add volume, improve lip shape, enhance symmetry, and define the lip borders. Unlike a lip lift, fillers physically increase the size of the lips and can also smooth fine lines around the mouth. The treatment is quick, requires little to no downtime, and results generally last 6 to 18 months, depending on the type of filler used and individual metabolism.
Lip Lift vs Lip Augmentation
Lip augmentation is generally a more long-lasting and more involved option than injectable fillers. Unlike fillers, it is a surgical procedure that uses the patient’s own fat—typically harvested from areas such as the abdomen. This fat is carefully processed and then injected into the lips to enhance volume and shape. Because it uses natural tissue, results can last several years or longer, although some of the transferred fat may be gradually reabsorbed over time.
Whether a patient is better suited for a lip lift or lip augmentation depends on their individual anatomy and aesthetic goals. A lip lift is typically recommended for patients with a lengthened upper lip, often due to aging. This can reduce upper tooth show and make the smile appear less youthful. By shortening the distance between the nose and upper lip, a lip lift restores balance, increases tooth visibility, and creates a more youthful lip position.
In contrast, lip augmentation is focused on adding fullness and improving lip shape rather than changing lip position. It is ideal for patients who want a plumper, more defined appearance while maintaining their natural lip proportions.
For example, a patient in her 40s who notices her upper lip has elongated over time, and her teeth are less visible when she smiles, may benefit more from a lip lift. On the other hand, a younger patient who simply desires fuller, more defined lips may achieve her goals with lip augmentation using fat transfer or fillers, depending on how long-lasting she wants the result to be.
Lip Flip vs Lip Lift
Similar to dermal fillers, a lip flip is a non-surgical option for enhancing the appearance of the lips. It is typically more affordable than both a lip lift and lip augmentation, making it an accessible choice for subtle improvement.
A lip flip uses small amounts of Botox® injected into the upper lip area to gently relax the surrounding muscles. As these muscles soften, the upper lip naturally rolls slightly upward, creating the appearance of a fuller lip without actually adding volume.
The result is a subtle, natural-looking enhancement that improves upper lip show and definition with minimal downtime.
Types Of Lip Lift Surgery in Orange County, Newport Beach, & Bakersfield, CA
Direct Lip Lift
In this technique, your surgeon makes an incision along the border of the upper lip in a gentle “seagull wing” shape to enhance definition. A thin strip of skin is removed just above the lip, and the remaining skin is carefully lifted, creating a more pronounced and well-defined upper lip contour.
This procedure enhances the visibility of the vermilion (the pink portion of the lips), resulting in a fuller, more sculpted appearance. However, because the incision is made directly along the lip line, it may leave a visible scar along the upper lip border.
Bullhorn Lip Lift (Subnasal Lip Lift)
A bullhorn lip lift (subnasal lip lift) is one of the most commonly performed lip lift procedures. In this technique, an Orange County plastic surgeon places a discreet, bullhorn-shaped incision along the base of the nose. The central portion of the upper lip, along with the right and left sides, is then gently elevated toward the nose, creating a more defined and balanced upper lip appearance.
Central Lip Lift
In this procedure, your surgeon places a single incision at the base of the nose to elevate the center of the upper lip, enhancing definition of the Cupid’s bow. Similar to a subnasal bullhorn lip lift, it shortens the philtrum while keeping the incision discreetly hidden along the base of the nose for a more refined, natural-looking result.
Corner Lip Lift
A corner lip lift, sometimes called a “grin lift,” creates a naturally uplifted appearance that gives the face a subtle resting smile. It is a popular option for individuals with downturned mouth corners. During the procedure, a plastic surgeon makes two small incisions at the corners of the mouth and removes a small amount of skin to gently elevate the lip edges.
While this technique does leave minimal scars at each corner of the mouth, they are typically discreet and can often be concealed with makeup. The result is a soft elevation of the mouth corners, creating a more refreshed and approachable expression. In some cases, surgeons may combine a corner lip lift with other lip lift techniques for enhanced overall balance and harmony.
Italian Lip Flip
The Italian lip lift is a more subtle alternative to the bullhorn lip lift. It involves two small incisions placed beneath each nostril, rather than a single continuous incision. Unlike the bullhorn technique, it primarily enhances the outer portions of the upper lip and does not significantly elevate the central lip area.
This approach can also help accentuate the philtrum columns—the vertical contours that frame the center of the upper lip—resulting in a more defined and naturally shaped lip appearance.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Lip Lift Surgery
Good candidates for a lip flip include individuals with naturally thin lips or those who have experienced a gradual loss of lip volume due to aging. It can also be a helpful option for people seeking a subtle enhancement without adding significant volume. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate, and results depend on individual anatomy and goals.
In general, good candidates include:
A lip flip can also help reduce the appearance of a gummy smile, where the upper lip lifts too high when smiling and exposes excessive gum tissue. By relaxing the muscles around the mouth, Botox can create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile.
This procedure is best suited for individuals who want a natural, understated improvement rather than a dramatic change. A lip flip enhances lip definition without significantly increasing volume, making it an alternative to fillers or more invasive procedures.
Ideal candidates understand that a lip flip produces modest, temporary results and will not drastically transform lip size or shape.
As a precaution, lip flip treatments are not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, even though Botox has not been shown to be harmful in these cases.
A lip lift, while different from a lip flip, may be better suited for individuals with thin or downturned lips, a long distance between the nose and upper lip, or those who have experienced overly heavy or elongated lips from prior filler treatments. In general, lip lifts focus on increasing lip height and definition, while lip flips are intended for subtle refinement.
Lip Lift Cost in California
Because lip lifts are elective cosmetic procedures, they are not covered by insurance. Pricing varies based on the surgeon, location, and complexity of the procedure, but a lip lift typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000.
This procedure is often chosen by individuals who want to shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip, increase upper tooth visibility, or achieve a fuller-looking lip without the use of fillers. The most common technique, the subnasal bullhorn lip lift, involves a small, discreet incision hidden beneath the nose for a natural-looking result.
A corner lip lift, sometimes called a “grin lift,” is a more targeted option that addresses downturned mouth corners by removing small sections of skin at the sides of the mouth. On its own, it generally falls within a similar price range of $3,500 to $8,000, and may be combined with a central lip lift for a more comprehensive enhancement.
What To Expect During A Lip Lift Surgery
Before a lip lift, you will have a consultation with your plastic surgeon. During this visit, they will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and discuss your aesthetic goals. Once your expectations are clearly understood, your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate type of lip lift for your anatomy and desired outcome.
Your surgeon will also provide detailed pre-operative instructions to help ensure a safe and smooth procedure. This typically includes avoiding alcohol and discontinuing blood-thinning medications such as aspirin and certain herbal supplements. However, you should only make changes to your medications under the guidance of a healthcare provider. If you smoke, you will be advised to stop several weeks before and after surgery to support proper healing.
Be sure to address any questions about the procedure, potential side effects, or preparation steps with your surgeon prior to your appointment.
On the day of the procedure, local anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort. The surgeon then makes a small incision at the base of the nose (depending on the chosen technique), lifts the upper lip toward the nose, removes any excess tissue, and closes the incision with sutures. The procedure is typically well tolerated, takes about one to two hours to complete, and is generally performed with minimal discomfort.
Potential Complications Of A Lip Flip
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, although complications are uncommon when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Possible risks include:
Reaction to anesthesia
Bruising
Infection
Nerve irritation or damage
Visible or permanent scarring
Prolonged swelling
Asymmetry or uneven lip positioning
Scarring is one of the most commonly discussed concerns with a lip lift. The incision is carefully placed along the natural crease beneath the nose to help keep it as discreet as possible, often healing into a fine, barely noticeable line over time. While the area may appear more visible during the early healing phase, scars typically soften and fade as the skin continues to recover.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions closely can help minimize the risk of complications and support optimal healing. If you have concerns about scarring or other potential side effects, it is best to discuss them directly with your surgeon prior to the procedure.
Lip Lift Recovery
How Long Does a Lip Lift Take to Heal?
The initial recovery from a lip lift is relatively quick, but complete healing typically takes between six and 12 weeks. Sutures are usually removed about one week after the procedure, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations. While healing times vary from person to person, factors such as skin type, lip thickness, overall health, and how closely you follow post-operative instructions can all influence recovery.
During the healing process, it’s important to avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, and sleeping on your face, as these activities can interfere with healing. Keeping your lips moisturized and carefully following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions can help promote proper healing and optimize your final results.
How Long Does Lip Lift Swelling Last?
Swelling after a lip lift is most noticeable during the first 72 hours following surgery and gradually improves over the next several weeks. Applying ice packs as directed and taking over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication can help reduce swelling and discomfort during the initial recovery period.
While much of the swelling resolves within the first few weeks, residual swelling can take time to fully disappear. Most patients begin to see their final results within two to three months, once the tissues have completely healed and settled.
How Long Will Lip Lift Results Last
A lip lift is considered a permanent cosmetic procedure, and the results are long-lasting. By surgically shortening and elevating the upper lip, the change in lip position is maintained over time and does not “wear off” like non-surgical treatments.
This is different from options such as dermal fillers or Botox®, which provide temporary enhancement and require repeat treatments to maintain results. In contrast, a lip lift provides a structural, surgical change to the lip’s position.
However, while the results are permanent, the natural aging process continues. Over time, the skin of the face and lips will still change—such as gradual lengthening of the upper lip and loss of volume or elasticity. These changes occur in everyone, regardless of whether they have had a lip lift, but the underlying surgical improvement in lip position remains.
Schedule a Lip Lift in Orange County, Newport Beach, or Bakersfield
At Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daneshmand wants to make you look and feel like your most beautiful self. Call 949-359-8397 for more information on our procedures or to schedule an appointment with a Newport Beach plastic surgeon or a Foothill Ranch plastic surgeon.