Lip lift, also known as short lip treatment, is for patients who are not satisfied with the length of the upper lip area.
In lip lift surgery, the area between the upper lip, the base of the columella (middle column of the nose) and the reddish pink of the lip is targeted. The ideal length of this area in facial aesthetic surgery is between 12-15 millimeters. However, this length may vary according to the position of individuals’ facial features of the face. If the length in this part is much higher than it should be, that is, if it is too much to cause discomfort to the person, support can be obtained from plastic surgery.
Who is it suitable for?
Many patients who are interested in upper lip lift or upper lip shortening are disturbed by the excessively long distance above the upper lip when viewed while the lip is motionless. If this length is more than it should be, it causes the lower face of the person to appear much longer than it is. In fact, the length of the upper lip in the vertical direction is usually about the length of the lower lip-chin. In order to create more harmony and balance on a face that does not have ideal proportions, the upper lip shortening procedure can be a very effective solution in some cases.
At the same time, some patients may request lip lift surgery for smile aesthetics. In an ideal smile aesthetic, the upper lip should go up and the teeth should be visible at a certain rate. If the distance of the upper lip is more than the ideal ratio, the lip may be pulled upwards and may prevent the teeth from being sufficiently visible. Insufficient appearance of the incisors can also be corrected with lip lift surgery.
During the upper lip lift procedure, excess skin is removed from the upper lip area to shorten its vertical length. To obtain the desired measurement, one of two techniques can be performed. The first involves an incision made at the border of the red lip (lip roller) where a small portion of the skin is removed. As a result, the upper lip rises and becomes shorter. However, this technique may cause a scar to stand out in some patients.
The second and more popular approach is to make an incision under the part where the upper lip meets the nose. This is called a substrate upper lip lift because the incision is placed on the lower part of the nose (nasale). In this surgery, the upper extremity of the incision follows the natural contour of the upper lip just below the nose. After the excessive amount of skin is removed, the upper lip is lifted by suturing the cut edges together. It is important to close the incision in layers – that is, it is vital that the sutures are placed under the skin so that the suture provides sufficient strength to maintain the proper shape. After the deep stitches are placed, the skin edges are then meticulously aligned to make them visible as little as possible.
How is the recovery process in lip lift surgery?
The healing process in lip lift aesthetics varies between 5 and 7 days. A 72-hour swelling is usually seen on the upper lip, which can be controlled with cold compresses. Possible pain is controlled with painkillers given by your doctor. Healing of incision scars accelerates in a few weeks, and healing continues for about a year. During this time, the traces become indistinct.
What are the effects of lip lift surgery?
Lip lift surgery can provide stunning results for women who want to have beautiful lips. Smooth and well-defined lips can improve the overall appearance of the face. Some women want fuller lips, while others dream of having unique, beautiful lips. For the latter, lip lift aesthetics may be required in some cases. Lip lift surgery reshapes the “cupid arc” (two different peaks above the upper lip) and redefines the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the lips. Many estheticians believe that the ideal length for this vertical space is between 12-15 millimeters (mm). Injectable fillers can also be applied to women who want fuller lips. This can be discussed in detail during the examination.
How is lip lift surgery performed?
Lip lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in an accredited surgical facility under general anesthesia. Surgery usually takes 1-2 hours to complete. In the first few days after surgery, there will be some swelling and moderate pain, but the results will be immediately visible. It may take several months for the final appearance of the lifted lip to take full effect.