Lip Lift
Our lip lift provides a subtle yet transformative solution for lengthening or rejuvenating the upper lip. By carefully shortening the philtrum—the space between the nose and upper lip—we enhance the lip’s shape, reveal more of the upper teeth, and restore facial balance and vibrancy.
For patients with a downturned expression, a complementary corner lip lift can gently elevate the mouth’s edges, creating a more naturally pleasant, rested appearance. I use a refined approach based on advanced surgical principles and an algorithmic understanding of facial balance, ensuring precise tissue handling and meticulous suturing. The result: a youthful, harmonious smile with minimal scarring and beautifully natural results.
Our Patients Before & After Results
Your Consultation: What To Expect During Your Lip Lift Consultation
During your lip lift consultation in Newport Beach, we’ll discuss your concerns, such as a long philtrum, thin lips, or downturned mouth corners, and how they affect your facial balance. You’ll share your goals, and we’ll craft a personalized plan to enhance your lip proportions.
Using my Anatomy of Aging approach, I’ll explain how philtrum length and lip shape impact your appearance, using diagrams to compare youthful versus aged lip profiles.
I’ll detail the exact upper lip lift technique, including discreet incisions at the nose’s base and optional corner lift, and share before-and-after cases to illustrate natural outcomes.
We’ll cover the 1-hour procedure, anesthesia options—local with sedation or IV sedation—and precise measurements for balance.
This education ensures your questions align with our goals for a natural, refreshed outcome. We’ll address all your concerns to leave you confident and informed.
Preoperative Preparation
The second appointment we’ll have is your pre-op appointment. It lasts about an hour and takes place about 2 weeks prior to your lip lift.
We’ll review the procedure, discuss risks, complete consent forms, and perform a physical exam, addressing medical conditions or medications (e.g., diabetes, blood pressure) with lab work if needed. Photos are taken, medications prescribed, and payment collected.
On surgery day, you’ll bring your prescribed medications, which we administer at check-in. I’ll review the procedure, mark the incision site at the nose’s base, and may supplement oral sedation with an intramuscular injection for comfort during numbing. Local anesthesia ensures you’re awake and ready to go home soon after surgery.
Lip Lift Surgery Walkthrough
Lip lift surgery typically lasts an hour and begins with numbing or IV sedation tailored to your preference.
Using a meticulous algorithmic approach, I measure the philtrum and assess proportions with your nose, teeth, and chin, sometimes checking tooth visibility with a slight lip gap to ensure balance.
These measurements guide the removal of a small skin portion through a discreet incision at the nose’s base, addressing asymmetries for a level, shapely lip.
Precise suturing hides the scar, which heals beautifully, minimizing past concerns about visibility.
For patients with downturned mouth corners, a complementary corner lift subtly elevates the outer edges, enhancing expression.
Each step is customized to your face’s overall anatomy, ensuring the most natural result.
The Recovery Process After Lip Lift
Recovery from a lip lift is straightforward, with minimal downtime. Stitches at the nose’s base are removed after 5–7 days to avoid marks, and you’ll avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or excessive smiling for 1–2 weeks to support healing.
Icing and gentle care reduce minor bruising and swelling, which typically fade within 7–10 days, making you socially presentable. About 80% of results are visible by 1 month, with full refinement by 2–3 months as tissues settle.
Follow-ups include day one for wound care training (cleaning incisions, applying ointment), day 5–7 for suture removal, and day 10 for a check-in.
This thorough lip lift recovery ensures you feel confident throughout your recovery every step of the way!
Achieving The Most Natural Lip Lift Results
I customize your lip lift to your unique facial proportions, ensuring a balanced, youthful lip shape that preserves your smile’s individuality.
Recovery is a partnership: your commitment to avoiding direct sun exposure and following our detailed post-surgery care, combined with my surgical techniques, minimizes scars and ensures proper healing.
Most Common Questions & Concerns About a Lip Lift
Will My Lips Look Unnatural or Overdone After a Lip Lift?
My exact upper lip lift technique enhances lip shape subtly, avoiding an exaggerated or unnatural appearance. Precise measurements ensure balance with your facial features, and our before-and-after gallery showcases natural results, reviewed during your consultation.
How Long Will My Lip Lift Results Last?
Results typically last 7–10 years, depending on factors like age, skin elasticity, and lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight maximizes longevity, and non-surgical touch-ups can extend results. We’ll discuss this during your consultation.
When Can I Return To A (Somewhat) Normal Routine?
Minor bruising and swelling fade within 7–10 days, with most patients feeling presentable by 1–2 weeks. Avoid strenuous activities or excessive smiling for 1–2 weeks. Light routines resume within a week, with full activities after 2–3 weeks. Final results are visible by 2–3 months.
I’m Worried How I’ll Look During My Recovery
Swelling and bruising are minimal and managed with icing and care instructions. The discreet incision at the nose’s base heals beautifully, and most patients feel confident in public by 1–2 weeks. We provide detailed guidance for a smooth recovery.
Who Isn’t A Good Fit For This?
Patients with significant lip asymmetry requiring more extensive surgery or those with uncontrolled health conditions (e.g., diabetes, smoking) may not be ideal. Unrealistic expectations also affect candidacy. We’ll assess your suitability during your consultation.
Will You Keep In Contact With Me After Surgery?
Absolutely! We’ll see you on day one for wound care, day 5 for suture removal, and day 10 for another check in. The one-month photo visit captures your progress, with optional check-ins at three, six, or twelve months. Our team is always available for support.
What Anesthesia Options Are Available?
We’ll discuss options during your consultation and pre-op visit, tailoring them to your comfort. Choices include local with sedation or IV sedation. Most opt for local with sedation for this quick procedure, but IV sedation is available if preferred.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Lip Lift?
If you’re noticing a long philtrum, thin upper lip, or downturned mouth corners and want a subtle, harmonious enhancement in Newport Beach, you may be an ideal candidate. Typically, patients are in their 30s to 50s, in good health, with realistic goals. We’ll confirm your fit during your consultation.
Do You Offer Financing?
Yes we do and we can discuss all your options in detail during your consultation.
Ready To Restore Your Youthful Lips?
The next step is to schedule your one-on-one consultation so we can discuss your specific goals along with your questions and concerns. Call or text us directly at (949) 566-1032. You can also stop by and visit us, we’re in the heart of Newport Beach walking distance from Fashion Island at 180 Newport Center Dr #160, Newport Beach, CA 92660.