Contents
- What is a lip lift?
- What is lip filler?
- How does lip lift surgery differ from lip injections?
- Procedure process
- Cost
- Materials
- Results
- Recovery
- Scarring
- Who is a candidate for lip filler?
- Who is a candidate for a lip lift?
We often receive questions from patients who are wondering whether they should opt for a lip lift or lip fillers.
Lip filler is excellent for adding volume if you have naturally thin lips. It is typically a popular treatment for younger patients, although more mature patients may consider lip injections as a solution to restore volume in the lips lost throughout the aging process, creating a more youthful appearance.
Although, as with any procedure, lip filler is not for everyone. Some patients believe lip filler results are too obvious or require too much maintenance. For these people, a facial plastic surgery procedure known as a lip lift may be more suitable.
However, surgery is not for everyone, so how do you know whether a lip lift or filler is right for you?
We’ll consider both treatment options in this post, comparing them against one another so you can make an informed decision.
What is a lip lift?
A lip lift is a minor surgical procedure designed to permanently shorten the distance between the upper lip and the bottom of the nose, known as the philtrum, and create the appearance of fuller lips. Some people genetically have a longer philtrum, while others sometimes notice their philtrum lengthens with age.
What is lip filler?
Dermal filler can be injected into the lips to add volume, improve vertical lip lines, and alter the lip shape. Popular treatments include Juvéderm and Restylane. However, the results aren’t permanent and patients will require regular treatments to maintain the effects.
Lip lift vs lip filler: how do they differ?
There’s a substantial difference between lip lifts and lip filler procedures. From the procedure process to the results they provide, these differences may influence your decision on the right option for you.
Procedure process
Lip fillers
At the beginning of your lip injection treatment, a small amount of topical anesthetic is applied around your lips and mouth to numb the area. The lips are then injected with dermal filler containing hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance, to achieve the patient’s goals. It’s a minimally-invasive procedure that takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the extent of your goals.
Lip lift
Lip lift procedures will differ based on the type of lift performed. However, all techniques involve making a small incision around the mouth or nose, remove some excess skin, and pulling the remaining skin into place to create the patient’s desired look.
For example, the most popular technique is the bullhorn lip lift, which includes the removal of a small strip of skin below the nose following the natural contours of the nostril, and rolling the top lip upward, creating more fullness to the lips. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours in-office under local anesthesia. Other types of lip lifts include:
- Direct lip lift
- Central lip lift
- Corner lip lift
- Italian lip lift
Cost
Lip fillers
Achieving noticeable lip filler results takes one to two full syringes. The cost of one full syringe of lip filler averages between $500 and $1,000 and does not include additional costs, such as service fees.
It is also important to remember that filler is not a permanent solution. To maintain results returning to your doctor or injector for regular treatment sessions will be necessary. For example, at our clinic, we recommend patients revisit every 12-18 months to maintain their results.
Lip lift
While some people may prefer to pay $500 to $1,000 every 12 to 18 months for filler syringes, others prefer to pay a single higher price for a permanent lip lift. If you would rather not dedicate time and money yearly to maintaining your results, the cost of lip lift surgery ranges from $4,000 to $6,500, depending on which lip lift procedure you choose.
This could be a more cost-effective option long-term, as the cost of lip filler upkeep can overtake the cost of a lip lift within 5 to 10 years.
Materials
Lip fillers
As mentioned above, filler treatments involve topical anesthetic. To help patients achieve their goal results for lip volume without surgery, we use synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable fillers. HA is a natural substance in your body and is FDA-approved to treat the lips.
Key takeaway: Some patients prefer not to have any substance injected into their bodies, even when natural. If you would rather work with what you naturally have without the intervention of injected materials and go the surgical route, you may be a better candidate for a lip lift.
Lip lift
Lip lift surgery is usually performed under local anesthetic. We discuss anesthesia and sedation in-depth with all patients to ensure they are comfortable undergoing any procedure. We use a special type of scalpel and surgical scissors to create incisions and remove excess tissue.
Key takeaway: Surgery is not for everyone, so if you are uncomfortable with sharp tools, anesthesia, or the recovery followed by surgery, you may be a better candidate for lip fillers.
Results
Lip fillers
Your final results after a lip filler treatment should debut within a week of your procedure. Results are visible immediately, but slight swelling may last 2 to 7 days. Once your final results are visible, if injected properly, your lips will have a naturally plumper appearance, with the degree of volume increase and shape change to fulfill your personal goals.
Your lip filler results should last between 12 to 18 months. The great thing about lip filler is that you can choose specific parts of your lips to add volume. According to RealSelf.com, 93% of patients report that their lip filler results are “worth it.”
Key takeaway: If you desire more volume in your lower lips, you can decide how you want them to look with filler more so than with a lip lift. A lip lift will have minimal effect on the lower lips.
Lip lift
Lip lift incisions may take 6 to 8 weeks to fade, but scars may not completely disappear until a year after your lip lift procedure. You should see your lips take their final shape from the surgery after about two weeks, allowing time for any swelling to dissipate.
After your lip lift procedure, your lips will appear lifted and more youthful. According to RealSelf.com, 92% of lip lift patients report that their procedure was worth the result.
Key takeaway: If you are insecure about the space between your nose and lips caused by genetics or aging, the lip lift can be a truly impactful procedure. Many of our patients report that they are very happy with the new shape of their lips and the natural looking results. Remember that the lip lift primarily focuses on the upper lip, so if you want to add volume to your lower lips, you may prefer a lip filler or look to combine the two procedures.
Recovery
Lip fillers
Your pain should fade on its own within 12 to 24 hours after your lip injection treatment. Your swelling will most likely go down after 48 hours, but do not be alarmed if it takes up to a week for the swelling to dissipate.
Key takeaway: If you want full lips before a special event, we recommend having your lip injection appointment scheduled for at least two weeks beforehand, to ensure your final results are ready to be shown off.
Lip lift
Patients can usually return to work 7 to 10 days after lip lift surgery when sutures are removed and steri-strips are applied. After two weeks, the swelling should have subsided enough to use makeup to cover any residual redness. Scarring at the incision site should become fainter six weeks after surgery, with further improvements noted in the third month and the final result seen at twelve months.
Key takeaway: For best healing, we recommend lip lift patients regularly apply cold compresses, take over-the-counter pain medication when required, and ensure plenty of rest during their recovery period. To avoid scar darkening, we instruct all patients to wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure as much as possible for 12 months. The Kaplan Center will provide you with a fully detailed plan to ensure you recover properly and get the best results possible from your procedure.
Scarring
Lip fillers
As they are a minimally invasive treatment, lip injections do not cause any scarring. Any bruising or swelling will go away on its own.
But a word of warning, if too much filler is injected, it can permanently stretch the skin on your lips, or the filler can migrate to other areas of the face. Be particular about who you choose to perform this treatment on your lips. A board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Kaplan or an experienced, trained injector is the safest option. Always opt for safety and quality over cost.
Lip lift
Any time an incision is made, scar tissue forms. Lip lift scars begin to fade after the first six weeks and become practically invisible once final results are revealed at the 12-month mark. The scar is purposefully concealed in a discreet contour of the skin underneath the nose and Dr. Kaplan uses years of expertise to create as minimal scarring as possible.
| Lip Filler | Lip Lift | |
| Procedure Process | Minimally-invasive, takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with topical anesthesia | Surgical procedure involving incisions, takes about 1 to 2 hours in-office under local anesthesia |
| Cost | $500 to $1,000 every 12 to 18 months | $4,000 to $6,500 for permanent results |
| Materials Involved | Dermal filler, topical anesthesia | Local anesthesia, scalpel, surgical scissors |
| Results | 12 to 18 months of added volume to top and/or bottom lips | Permanent |
| Recovery | Slight pain for 12 to 24 hours, swelling for <1 week | 7 to 10 days of rest, swelling for about 2 weeks |
| Scarring | None | Minimal scarring, strategically hidden, fades within 12 months |
Who is a candidate for lip filler?
If you are looking for a temporary, non-surgical solution to add volume to your lips with little downtime, you may be a great candidate for lip filler. You can work closely with an injection professional to explain your goals with the procedure. And at a lower cost than cosmetic surgery, it may also be more reasonable with your current budget.
Other characteristics of good lip filler candidates include:
- You are not quite ready for a surgical solution
- Your primary focus is to add volume to your lower lip
- You do not have enough space between your nose and lips to have skin removed
- You want to avoid scars
- You want immediate results
- You want to test out how you would look with fuller lips without going straight into a permanent solution
Who is a candidate for a lip lift?
Lip lift surgery is ideal for people looking to enhance their natural lips permanently. In particular, suitable candidates are those with concerns about their upper lip.
While lip augmentation can benefit patients of all ages, the procedure is ideal for mature patients who have noticed thinning lips that appear to have fallen downward on their faces. It is also suitable for younger patients who haven’t been able to achieve the results they would have liked by using injectable fillers.
In general, we consider you a good candidate for lip lift surgery if:
- You’re noticing a lengthening of the philtrum due to the natural aging process
- You would like a more permanent result over continuing the maintenance of injectable fillers
- You would like to enhance your upper lip but have been unsatisfied with injectable fillers
- You have realistic expectations for results
- You are in overall good health
- You have a busy schedule that would be interrupted by the maintenance of filler sessions
- You have reached the point of the aging process in which filler would not provide worthwhile results
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding between a lip lift and lip filler.
If you’re still unsure, the best option is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like our very own Dr. Gordon Kaplan. He will conduct a facial assessment, consider your goals and recommend which lip enhancement procedure he feels would be best suited for you.
