Lip lift

Here is a visual and schematic representation of the lip lift.

A lip lift shortens the skin between the nose and the lip, makes the red lip more visible, improves the proportions between the nose, lip and chin, and sometimes reveals more of the upper teeth at rest. Depending on the goal, the alternatives are having no procedure, fillers to change the volume or projection of the lip, or other surgical techniques around the mouth. A lip lift does not replace a volume treatment when lack of volume is the main concern.

Before a lip lift, Dr Manon Belhoste assesses the length of the lip, the shape of the base of the nose and nostrils, the position of the corners of the mouth, the amount of red lip visible, the exposure of the teeth at rest and when smiling, any asymmetries, and any previous injections or procedures in the nose and lip area. All current treatments, allergies and medical and surgical history must be reported, and no treatment is stopped on its own: any change to an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug is decided with the doctors concerned. Aspirin and medicines that increase the risk of bleeding should be avoided, as advised by Dr Manon Belhoste and the anaesthetist. Stopping smoking and all nicotine is strongly recommended before and after the procedure.

After a lip lift, swelling of the upper lip and base of the nose is usual, sometimes with bruising, and a feeling of tightness is common at first, especially when smiling and talking. Pain is generally moderate and controlled by the prescribed painkillers, and scar care follows Dr Manon Belhoste's instructions. Forced lip movements, exaggerated facial expressions and any pulling on the scar should be avoided during the early phase. Easy-to-eat foods should be favoured in the first few days, teeth should be brushed carefully, and the scar must be strictly protected from the sun.

A lip lift shortens the skin between the nose and the lip, which then becomes more visible. It does not add the volume of a filler. The two do not have the same indications.

The scar of a lip lift sits under the nose, in the natural fold at the base of the nose, hidden as far as possible within the natural contours. It may remain visible, widen, thicken, become pigmented, become hypertrophic or, more rarely, keloid. Specific care or a further revision may be needed. Sun protection must be strict throughout the scar's maturation, which takes several months.

After a lip lift, ageing of the face and tissues continues. Under-correction or partial recurrence of lip lengthening may occur over time. Over-correction is harder to correct than under-correction, so the amount of tissue removed is deliberately cautious.

The price of a lip lift covers Dr Manon Belhoste's fees, follow-up consultations after the operation, the anaesthesia and clinic fees at Polyclinique La Phocéanne or Clinique Phénicia.