Lip Lift

Upper lip lift surgery aims to rebalance the distance between the upper lip and the nose in accordance with the face’s overall proportions. The aim is not to create an exaggerated appearance of the lips, but to make the smile, the lip contour and the balance between the upper and lower face more aesthetic and natural .

What is a Lip Lift?
In Which Situations Is a Lip Lift Recommended?
What Techniques Are Available?
How is the operation performed?
How Long Do the Results Last?
Where Do the Traces Remain, and How Visible Are They?
Having a Lip Lift in Istanbul
Frequently Asked Questions

Type of anaesthesia:
Local

Duration of the operation:
30 minutes

Hospital Stay:
Not required

Stay in Istanbul:
1 day

Return to Life:
3 Days

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a procedure in which excess skin above the upper lip is removed via a minimal incision made in the crease just below the nostrils. This procedure restores the distance between the nose and the lip to ideal anatomical proportions (approximately 12–15 mm), ensures that the upper teeth are visible to an aesthetically pleasing extent (3–4 mm) when speaking or smiling, and gives the upper lip a curved, full shape.

In Which Situations Is a Lip Lift Recommended?

Long Philtrum Distance: An anatomically long distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip (generally 15 mm or more).
A Thin, Inward-Curving Upper Lip: A condition where the red part of the upper lip is barely visible and appears flat.
Age-related sagging: As one gets older, the distance between the upper lip and the gum line increases and the lip-gum line becomes thinner.
Those Unsatisfied with Filler Treatments: When lip fillers are administered, if the lips protrude forwards (the ‘duck-bill’ effect) and do not lift upwards.
Invisible Teeth in Smile Aesthetics: A condition where the upper teeth remain completely hidden behind the lips when speaking or smiling.

What Techniques Are Available?

Bullhorn (Bull’s Horn / Subnasal) Lip Lift (Gold Standard):

This technique involves hiding the incision in the natural creases at the base of the nose, directly beneath the nostrils. It is the most commonly chosen method and the one that conceals the scar most effectively.

Italian Lip Lift:

The incision is made as two separate small incisions just below the nostrils, rather than extending along the base of the nose. This results in a more limited lift.

Corner Lip Lift:

In patients whose mouth corners droop downwards, this procedure involves removing excess skin from the corners of the lips to create a more cheerful expression.

How is the operation performed?

The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic and takes an average of 45–60 minutes.

Marking and Planning: Whilst the patient is in a sitting position, the area of skin to be removed is carefully marked on the base of the nose.
Incision and Tissue Removal: Excess skin tissue, identified as being shaped like a bull’s horn at the base of the nose, is removed.
Deep Tissue Fixation: The deep tissues that lift the lip are fixed to the fascia at the base of the nose. This prevents stress from being placed on the suture line and prevents the incision from widening.
Closure: The incision is closed using very fine, microscopic cosmetic sutures.

How Long Do the Results Last?

A lip lift is not a temporary procedure like dermal fillers; the results are permanent. As the removed skin tissue will not regrow, the reduction in the distance between the lips and the nose and the lifted appearance of the lips remain permanent.

These symptoms can be brought under control quickly with appropriate care and the medication prescribed by your doctor.

Where Do the Traces Remain, and How Visible Are They?

Hidden Incision Line: The incision line is positioned precisely within the natural contours of the nostrils and the base of the nose.
Healing Process: The line, which is pink in colour during the first few weeks, fades over a period of 3–6 months until it becomes close to the natural skin tone. With the correct suturing and aftercare techniques, it is very difficult to notice from the outside.

Having a Lip Lift in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world’s leading centres for aesthetic surgery, where advanced techniques are frequently employed in facial aesthetic and lip-shaping procedures. Achieving a natural and scar-free appearance in a lip lift procedure relies on millimetre-precise planning and a thorough understanding of the anatomy at the nose-lip junction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the recovery process take?

It is normal to experience swelling on the upper lip and the base of the nose for the first 2–3 days following the operation. The stitches are removed on the 5th–7th day. The patient can resume their normal social life within a week.

Will there be any changes to the shape of the nose following a lip lift?

Provided the correct deep tissue fixation technique is used, there will be no widening of the nostrils or drooping of the tip of the nose.

When can I eat and wear make-up after the operation?

It is recommended that you eat soft foods on the day of the procedure. You may apply a light layer of concealer to the incision area 1–2 days after the stitches have been removed.