A lip lift is a surgical lip enhancement procedure performed with a scalpel. Thanks to precise surgical techniques, it creates the appearance of fuller, more defined lips. The specialist does not add artificial volume to the lips — instead, they shorten the distance between the nose and the vermilion border, making the upper lip more visible, slightly lifted, and fuller-looking.

Unfortunately, with age, the lip ligaments become weaker, and the skin between the nose and the vermilion border lengthens. As a result, the lips begin to “hide” inward. A lip lift helps reverse these changes and restore a more youthful appearance to the lips.

The procedure is especially recommended for people with a thin upper lip, as well as for patients whose distance between the nose and the upper lip is slightly too long. These proportions can have an unfavorable effect on the entire face — making it look older, sadder, and more tired. That is why lip correction can rejuvenate not only the lower part of the face, but the whole facial appearance.

The results of the procedure are also appreciated by patients who want to show their teeth more clearly when speaking or smiling.

This is a one-time procedure that provides a long-lasting, natural result. You will no longer need to use fillers or repeat filler-based treatments. Perhaps it is worth choosing a one-time, precise procedure?

When choosing a lip lift procedure, you do not need to worry about pain. During the procedure, the surgeon will use local anaesthesia, making the process essentially painless.

The specialist will precisely remove a carefully marked section of skin beneath your nose, shortening the length of the philtrum. As a result, the lip becomes more clearly exposed. This precise correction of the shape and proportions of the lips makes them appear fuller while still looking very natural.

A lip lift procedure can be performed in several ways. Making the incision in different areas of the skin allows for slightly different results. The surgeon will take your preferences and individual facial proportions into account to choose the best method of lip enhancement.

The most commonly used technique is the bullhorn lip lift, which involves removing a section of skin just beneath the nose. This method allows the upper lip to be lifted appropriately, exposing the vermilion border and increasing the visibility of the upper teeth when smiling.

The specialist may also focus on another aspect of lip contouring: lifting the corners of the mouth, which gives the face a more cheerful expression. In this case, the surgeon performs a so-called corner lip lift.

Other types of this procedure you may come across include:

• Direct lip lift, also known as a gullwing lip lift – involves removing a strip of skin along the contour of the upper lip, which makes the vermilion border more visible,
• Deep plane lip lift – a procedure performed in the deeper layers of tissue, not only in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This is intended to provide more noticeable results.

A surgical lip lift is the right solution for permanently improving the appearance of the lips. You no longer need to enhance your lips with hyaluronic acid or choose other methods. You can benefit from the advantages of simple, safe plastic surgery.

A lip lift also does not need to be repeated. The maximum results achieved with this method are visible immediately after leaving the treatment room.

Lip lift results include:

• improved lip proportions and shape, with a positive effect on the entire face,
• shortening of the philtrum,
• correction of lip asymmetry,
• a fuller appearance of the lips by turning the vermilion border outward,
• a natural impression of overall facial rejuvenation,
• more visible teeth and a more vibrant, radiant face when smiling.

View photos of our patients and see what their lips looked like before and after a lip lift.

The photos show the result achieved in a specific patient. The outcome of the procedure may vary depending on factors such as the patient’s individual characteristics, anatomical variations, age, lifestyle, adherence to post-operative recommendations, and surgical techniques.

Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon, who will provide you with all the necessary information and answer your questions.

The mandatory tests you need to undergo before a lip lift include:

complete blood count – 22 parameters,
prothrombin time (PT),
INR,
prothrombin index (PI),
anti-HCV antibodies,
HBs antigen,
anti-HIV1/HIV2 antibodies.

Important! You must not smoke cigarettes for at least 3 months before the procedure.

You do not need to come to the procedure on an empty stomach. We recommend eating breakfast. Also remember to drink an adequate amount of water. Arrive at the clinic without makeup, and avoid wearing jewellery on that day as well. You can have all the necessary tests carried out efficiently at INVICTA Medical Diagnostic Laboratories.

The surgeon will begin by securing the treatment area. You will receive local anaesthesia, which means you will feel virtually no pain.

In the second stage, the specialist will precisely remove the marked section of skin beneath the nose.

The procedure ends with layered tissue suturing and wound protection. Thanks to the precision of the incision, the scar left after the procedure will be only minimally visible and will be hidden along the vermilion border or directly beneath the nose.

The entire procedure usually takes around 45–60 minutes. You will return home on the same day.

After the procedure, protect your lips and face from any injury. Do not sunbathe or expose the area to UV radiation. Do not strain your lips — avoid opening your mouth too widely. For two weeks, avoid eating hard, large, and hot foods.

Clean the wounds with a wound care solution and cover them with a sterile dressing. Keep them clean — make sure the post-treatment area does not become dirty or wet.

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and take pain-relief and anti-swelling medication as prescribed. You should also avoid intense physical activity for 3–4 weeks.

Attend your follow-up appointments. The surgeon will remove your stitches after about 7 days. The next check-up usually takes place after three months.

Once the wounds have finished healing, it is a good idea to moisturise them and gently massage the scar. For one year after the procedure, protect your lips and face from sunlight. See: protective sunscreen peel.

Thanks to a carefully selected technique and precise incisions, the post-procedure scar is almost invisible. However, if you would like to further support its regeneration, learn more about laser scar removal with a fractional CO2 laser.

A surgical lip lift is a relatively safe procedure. However, there are certain contraindications to undergoing it.

You cannot have the procedure if:

• you are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• you have blood clotting disorders;
• you are taking anticoagulant medication (in some cases, your doctor may recommend stopping it for the procedure);
• you suffer from severe systemic diseases, organ failure, or uncontrolled chronic conditions;
• you had an infection or were treated with antibiotics in the month before the procedure;
• you developed cold sores around 2 weeks before the procedure;
• you have noticed inflammation or skin lesions in the treatment area.

The price of a lip lift depends on various factors. It is influenced by, among other things, the extent of the correction and the technique used, the surgeon’s experience, and the reputation of the clinic. Check the price list for this procedure at the INVICTA Anti-Aging Clinic – lip lift.