Guide:
- Direct or “Gullwing” Lip Lift
- Bullhorn Lip Lift
- Central Lip Lift
- Corner Lip Lift
- Italian Lip Lift
- Recovery after lip lift
When seeking a more natural, permanent solution to enhancing the lips, you will likely consider a lip lift procedure. A lip lift shortens the distance between the upper lip and the bottom of the nose, creating the appearance of fuller lips.
For some people, lip lifts are preferred over fillers because when not injected with strategic care, they can create an unnatural “duck lip” appearance, and the surgical alternative promotes more natural results. It can also become a hassle to keep up with yearly lip filler treatments, so the lip lift eliminates the need to return to the injector chair.
However, deciding whether you want a lip lift is just the first step, as you also have to consider which type of lift is most suitable from a wide range of options. Each lip lift procedure has its own set of goals and outcomes, and your plastic surgeon will help you decide.
Types of lip lift procedures
Direct or “Gullwing” Lip Lift
During a direct, or “gullwing” lip lift, Dr. Kaplan cuts the outer skin of the upper lip and pulls it upward closer to the nose. He removes a thin strip of skin from the area above the upper lip and then pulls the remaining skin at the central part of the lip upward, creating the illusion of a more enhanced vermillion (the red part of the lips). The incisions do leave some scarring, but they are typically easy to cover up with makeup. The gullwing lip lift procedure can take 15 minutes to an hour under local anesthesia.
Results to expect:
The direct lip lift creates a more defined lip border and is suitable for people who want to reduce the length of their philtrum. The direct lip lift is sometimes known as the “gullwing” lip lift because the shape of the results closely resembles a childlike drawing of a seagull in flight. If you are concerned about scarring, you may want to look into other lip lifting procedures, as the direct lip lift’s scar is not well-hidden.
Best candidates:
If you are young and have tried your fair share of fillers and decided you would rather have a more permanent solution to your thinner upper lift, the direct lip lift could be a great option. The direct lip lift is also an excellent option if the space between your nose and lips has elongated with age.
Benefits:
- Restores a youthful appearance to the lips
- Leaves permanent results
- Leaves natural-looking results
- Creates the illusion of a shorter, more youthful face
Bullhorn Lip Lift
The bullhorn lip lift, also known as the subnasal lift, shortens the space between the upper lip and nostrils much like the direct lip lift, but does so while rolling out the upper lip making the pink tissue more visible. The subnasal lip lift is known as the “bullhorn” lip lift because it leaves a subtle scar from one nostril to the other shaped like a bullhorn. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours in-office under local anesthesia. Dr. Kaplan creates an incision at the base of the nose from one nostril to the other to remove excess skin from the center, right and left areas of the upper lip and pull it upward before closing the incision with sutures.
Results to expect:
The bullhorn lip lift is excellent for giving the lips a more volumized appearance but can also improve asymmetries. It is the most sought-after lip lifting procedure by patients at The Kaplan Center as they appreciate that it leaves very discrete scarring, typically hidden by the nostrils, and find the results more attractive than the direct lip lift.
Best candidates:
Great candidates for the bullhorn lip lift are people who want more pronounced lips without quite as much volume as fillers tend to add. People with small mouths and a wider nasal base are known to be excellent candidates for the procedure.
If you lack space between the very top of your upper lip and the bottom of your nose, with less than 1.5 centimeters, the bullhorn lip lift may not be the best option for achieving your goals.
Benefits:
- Incisions hidden by the nostrils
- Restores a youthful appearance to the lips
- Leaves permanent results
- Leaves natural-looking results
- Leaves more attractive results
Central Lip Lift
By creating an incision directly under the nose and removing a small amount of skin at the lower part of the nose during a central lip lift, Dr. Kaplan creates the illusion of added volume to the upper lip. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes under local anesthesia but varies depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed and lifted.
Results to expect:
Much like the other type of lip lifts, this procedure helps elevate the upper lip to create the appearance of fuller lips without adding volume. The results of the central lip lift differ from other lip lifting procedures as it highlights the central part of the upper lip, lifting it higher than the rest of the lip.
Best candidates:
The central lip lift is best for candidates with moderate sagging skin in the area around the lower part of the nose and the central part of the upper lip.
Benefits:
- Incision is hidden at the base of the nose
- Restores a youthful appearance to the central part of the lips
- Leaves permanent results
- Leaves natural-looking results
Corner Lip Lift
When Dr. Kaplan performs a corner lip lift, he makes incisions at both corners of the mouth and removes a small portion of the skin to lift a downturned upper lip just a few millimeters higher and restore a bright, youthful expression in the lips. The procedure takes about an hour and 30 minutes under local anesthesia. Dr. Kaplan only uses this technique for patients seeking lip lift surgery to correct aging changes, as it only creates powerful results for patients having some sagging skin on the corners of their mouths.
Results to expect:
The corner lip lift slightly lifts the corners of the lips to create a subtly happier appearance. Your mouth, like your eyes, is one of the features of the face that shows the most expression. The central lip lift is an excellent way to rejuvenate a permanently sad expression caused by your outer lips weighing down through aging. The corner lip lift is sometimes known as the “grin lift” because it gives the face a softer, more smiley appearance.
Best candidates:
If the aging process has caused your cheeks to droop down, giving your lips a downturned appearance, you may appear sad, even if you are in a great mood. The central lip lift can be an excellent procedure for lifting this droopiness and giving your face a more inviting appearance.
Benefits:
- Restores a youthful appearance to the outer part of the lips
- Improves symmetry and harmony of the lips
- Reduces the appearance of a downturned mouth
- Leaves permanent results
- Leaves natural-looking results
- Promotes a softer, happier appearance
Italian Lip Lift
During an Italian lip lift, Dr. Kaplan makes two incisions below each nostril, removes excess skin, and sutures the incisions within the nostrils. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Results to expect:
The Italian lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose like the other lip lifting techniques while increasing the curve of the cupid’s bow. Highlighting the cupid’s bow restores a more youthful look to the lips.
Best candidates:
The Italian lip lift is best for patients looking for a subtle lift to their lips, as it involves two separate, small incisions rather than one larger incision like the bullhorn lip lift. The incisions do not go across the base of the nose as with other lip lifting techniques, having the advantage of leaving behind less noticeable scarring.
Benefits:
- Restores a youthful appearance to the lips
- Leaves permanent results
- Leaves natural-looking results
- Incisions are well-hidden
| Lip Lift type | Results | Best candidates | Main Benefit |
| Direct | Creates a more defined lip border, reduces size of philtrum | People who are not achieving goal results from fillers, people whose philtrums have elongated with age | Creates the illusion of a shorter, more youthful face |
| Bullhorn | Gives the lips a more volumized appearance, improves asymmetries | People who want more pronounced lips without quite the volume that fillers tend to add | Incisions are hidden by the nostrils |
| Central | Elevates the central part of the upper lip to create the appearance of fuller lips without adding volume | People with moderate sagging skin in the area around the lower part of the nose, central part of the upper lip | Incisions are hidden at the base of the nose |
| Corner | Slightly lifts the corners of the lips to create a subtle happier appearance | Mature patients looking to lift drooping around the corners of their lips | Improves symmetry and harmony of the lips and reduces the appearance of a downturned mouth |
| Italian | Reduces the length of the philtrum, increasing the curve of the cupid’s bow | Patients looking for a subtle lift to their lips | Incisions are well-hidden |
Recovery after lip lift
You may have some bruising or swelling on your lips for 2 to 4 weeks after your lip lift. Sometimes, patients who have naturally fuller lips take longer to heal because they have more tissue in the area that needs to heal. You may have some noticeable scarring after your lip lift procedure, but rest assured, it will fade within 3 to 4 months.
You can return to most day-to-day activities within a few days after your lip lift. Be extra cautious and avoid strenuous exercise, consuming alcohol, and smoking. Throughout the healing process, keep your lips moisturized, avoid chewing gum, be careful while brushing your teeth, and clean the incisions regularly.
Next steps
If you are considering a lip lift to permanently enhance the appearance of your lips, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kaplan in Edgewater, New Jersey, to discuss your goals and find out which technique is best for you.
