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Artisan of Beauty
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Facial Rejuvenation

Lip Lift
Restore the youthful relationship between your nose and upper lip

The lip lift is one of the most powerful yet underutilized procedures in facial rejuvenation. As we age, the upper lip elongates, hiding the upper teeth and creating a tired, aged appearance. No amount of filler can fix an elongated lip. The lip lift surgically shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, restores visible tooth show, and recreates the youthful "ski slope" profile that fillers simply cannot achieve. This is permanent rejuvenation that addresses the actual anatomy of aging rather than just adding volume.
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Duration 2-3 Hours
Anesthesia General
Downtime 1-2 Weeks
Results Permanent
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Benefits

Permanent Solution

Unlike fillers that require repeated treatments, a lip lift provides lasting results that address the actual structural changes of aging.

Restores Tooth Show

Recreates the youthful appearance of visible upper teeth when your mouth is slightly parted, a hallmark of a younger face.

Quick Recovery

Most patients return to normal activities within a week, with sutures removed at 6-7 days and minimal downtime overall.

Local Anesthesia Option

Can be performed with you awake, allowing real-time feedback and mirror approval before any tissue is permanently removed.

Expected Results

The lip lift produces immediate visible improvement that continues to refine as swelling resolves and the scar matures. Understanding the timeline helps set realistic expectations for your transformation.

Immediate Changes

Shortened distance between nose and lip, more visible upper teeth, and improved lip projection are apparent immediately, though masked by initial swelling.

Two Week Mark

Most swelling has resolved and the new lip position is clearly visible. The scar is still pink but typically not noticeable from conversation distance.

Three to Six Months

The scar continues to fade and soften. Final lip shape and position are established as all tissue settles into its permanent location.

Patient Stories

5-Star Experiences

“

I spent years getting filler trying to make my lips look fuller, but the real problem was that my upper lip had gotten so long you couldn't see my teeth anymore. The lip lift fixed what filler never could. I actually look younger, not just fuller.

— Verified RealSelf Review
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Patient Profile

Candidates

Ideal Candidates

  • People whose upper lip has elongated with age, hiding the upper teeth when the mouth is relaxed
  • Those with a flattened upper lip profile who have lost the youthful “ski slope” curvature
  • Patients who find that lip fillers no longer provide satisfactory improvement
  • Fair-skinned individuals who typically heal with favorable scars
  • Non-smokers or those willing to quit for proper healing
  • People with realistic expectations about the visible scar along the nose base

Not Ideal Candidates

  • Heavy smokers who cannot stop, as nicotine compromises wound healing and scar quality
  • Those with a history of keloid scarring or poor wound healing
  • Patients who cannot accept any visible scar on their face
  • People with very dark skin who may be prone to hyperpigmentation or unfavorable scarring
  • Those with already short upper lips who do not need reduction

Lip Lift vs. Lip Filler

Select your concerns to see which treatment may be right for you

1 What concerns you most about your lips?
Based on your selected concerns:
Quick Comparison
Lip Lift Lip Filler
Duration Permanent 6-12 months
Shortens upper lip ✓ Yes ✗ No
Adds volume Minimal ✓ Yes
Shows more teeth ✓ Yes ✗ No
Recovery ~1 week 1-2 days
Visible scar At nose base None
Cost $4,000-$7,000 $700-$1,500/session

The best way to determine which treatment is right for you is an in-person evaluation.

Schedule Consultation
Estimated Investment
$4,000 - $7,000
The cost of your lip lift depends on whether additional procedures are performed simultaneously. An isolated upper lip lift is at the lower end of this range, while combined procedures (upper lip lift with lower lip advancement and corner lifts) will be higher. Your quote includes the surgeon's fee, facility fee for our private surgical suite, all local anesthesia, and post-operative visits. The procedure is performed entirely in-office under local anesthesia, which significantly reduces costs compared to procedures requiring a hospital or surgery center. Financing options are available through CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending.
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Lip Lift vs. Lip Filler

01

Understanding the Difference

Many patients come to consultation after years of lip filler injections, wondering why their lips still look "old" despite the added volume. The answer lies in understanding what filler can and cannot accomplish.

Lip filler adds volume. It makes lips fuller and can enhance the vermilion border and cupid's bow. What it cannot do is shorten an elongated upper lip, restore tooth show, or recreate the youthful "ski slope" profile.

The lip lift addresses structure. It shortens the philtrum, rolls out the lip to show more pink, and restores the relationship between the lip and teeth. It does not primarily add volume, though the rolling effect can create the appearance of a fuller lip.

Many patients benefit from both. The lip lift corrects the structural issue of elongation, while filler (or fat grafting) restores lost volume. Combining the two approaches creates comprehensive rejuvenation that neither treatment can achieve alone.

If you have been getting filler regularly but feel your lips still look aged, particularly if your upper teeth are hidden when your mouth is relaxed, you may be a candidate for a lip lift. The procedure can reduce or eliminate the need for ongoing filler maintenance while providing results that filler cannot replicate.

Surgery Day Journey

Arrival and Preparation

You arrive at our Beverly Hills office having followed pre-operative instructions. We review the procedure and answer any final questions. The treatment area is cleaned and prepared.

Local Anesthesia and Marking

The lip lift design is carefully marked on your skin. Local anesthesia is injected to ensure complete comfort. You remain awake and alert throughout.

Preview and Procedure

Using temporary sutures, we simulate the proposed lift so you can see the result in a mirror and approve it before any tissue is removed. Once you are satisfied, the excess skin is excised and the incision is meticulously closed in layers.
The Artisan Promise

Comprehensive
Aftercare Support

Wound Care

Keep the incision clean and apply prescribed ointment as directed. Avoid getting the area wet for the first few days. Do not pick at scabs or sutures. Sleep with your head elevated on pillows to minimize swelling.

Activity and Lifestyle

Avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks. Do not smoke or use nicotine products, as these significantly impair healing and scar quality. Limit excessive facial expressions and mouth opening in the first week to reduce tension on the incision.

Scar Management

Once sutures are removed and the incision is fully closed (typically around week 2), begin silicone gel or sheeting as directed. Protect the scar from sun exposure for at least 6 months to prevent hyperpigmentation. Scar massage may be recommended starting at 4-6 weeks.

Healing Timeline

Every patient heals differently, but this timeline offers a general guide for your return to daily life.

Days 1-3

Expect swelling and tightness around the upper lip and nose area. Ice packs help control swelling. Pain is typically minimal and well-managed with over-the-counter medication. Keep the incision clean and dry. Sleep with your head elevated.

Days 4-7

Swelling begins to subside noticeably. Sutures are removed around day 6-7. Most patients feel comfortable returning to non-strenuous work. The scar will be pink but is easily covered with makeup at this stage.

Weeks 2-4

Most visible swelling has resolved. The scar continues to mature and fade. You can resume most normal activities including exercise. Begin scar care protocol with silicone products as directed.

Months 2+

The scar progressively fades and softens. Final results become apparent as all tissue settles. Continue sun protection of the scar area to optimize healing. At one year, the scar has reached full maturity.

Safety &
Potential Risks

The lip lift is generally a safe procedure when performed by an experienced surgeon on appropriate candidates. However, as with any surgery, potential complications exist. Understanding these risks helps you make an informed decision.

Important Considerations

  • Visible scarring: The most significant concern. While scars typically heal well in fair-skinned patients and become imperceptible at conversation distance, some patients develop wider, thicker, or more noticeable scars. Skin type, genetics, sun exposure, and smoking all influence scar quality.
  • Asymmetry: Minor asymmetries may occur and are often correctable with revision surgery once tissues have fully healed.
  • Over-correction: Removing too much tissue can create an unnatural appearance with excessive tooth show. This is why conservative excision and real-time patient feedback are essential.
  • Under-correction: Removing too little tissue may leave you feeling the improvement is insufficient. This is safer to correct than over-correction, as additional tissue can be removed.
  • Numbness or altered sensation: Temporary numbness of the upper lip is common and typically resolves within weeks to months. Permanent sensory changes are rare.
  • Infection: Uncommon due to the excellent blood supply to the face, but possible with any surgical procedure.
  • Wound healing issues: Heavy smokers or those with compromised circulation may experience delayed healing or wound breakdown.
  • Need for revision: Some patients require minor touch-up procedures to optimize results, particularly for scar refinement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a lip lift last?
The lip lift is permanent. Unlike fillers that dissolve over 6-12 months, the structural changes from a lip lift remain indefinitely. Your face will continue to age naturally, but you will always be ahead of where you would have been without the procedure.
Will I have a visible scar?
The scar is placed along the base of the nose where it is naturally camouflaged. In fair-skinned patients who heal well, the scar typically becomes imperceptible at conversation distance within several months. However, all scars are permanent, and some patients heal with more visible scars than others. Skin type, genetics, smoking history, and sun exposure all influence scar quality.
Can I have a lip lift if I have had rhinoplasty?
Yes, previous rhinoplasty is not a contraindication to lip lift. However, if you are planning to have both procedures, the surgical plan must account for shared blood supply between the areas. In healthy non-smokers, both can often be performed safely together, though staging the procedures several months apart is sometimes preferable.
How is a lip lift different from lip filler?
Lip filler adds volume to make lips fuller. It cannot shorten an elongated upper lip or restore tooth show. The lip lift shortens the distance between nose and lip, rolls out the lip to show more pink, and restores the youthful relationship between lip and teeth. Many patients benefit from both treatments, as they address different aspects of lip aging.
What is the recovery time?
Most patients take about one week off from work and social activities. Sutures are removed at 6-7 days. Swelling is most noticeable in the first few days and largely resolves within two weeks. The scar continues to mature over several months.
Dr. Tim Neavin
The Artisan

Artistry Meets
Surgical Precision

Dr. Neavin understands that the lip lift is about millimeters and precision. The difference between a beautiful, natural result and an overdone appearance often comes down to 1-2mm of tissue removal. His approach emphasizes performing the procedure under local anesthesia whenever possible, allowing patients to see the proposed result in a mirror before any tissue is removed. This real-time feedback ensures the final result matches patient expectations precisely.

His meticulous attention to scar placement along the natural contours of the nose base, combined with layered closure techniques that minimize tension on the skin, produces scars that typically become imperceptible within normal conversation distance. For patients concerned about scarring, Dr. Neavin provides honest assessments based on skin type and healing history, ensuring appropriate candidate selection.

Diplomate American Board of
Plastic Surgery
Philosophy "Surgery with
Symmetry"

Beverly Hills & Santa Barbara

Start Your Transformation

Schedule your private consultation with Dr. Neavin today.

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