Upper Lip Lift Surgery

With age, the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip tends to lengthen, the red part of the lip rolls inward and shows less, and the upper lip can look flatter and longer. These changes can make the mouth look less defined and can hide the upper teeth when you smile or talk. An upper lip lift addresses these changes by reducing the length of the lip and changing the shape of the upper lip, particularly the cupid’s bow, making it appear fuller without adding any volume.

The most common technique is the bull horn lip lift, named for the shape of the skin that is removed just under the nose. The technique Dr Ricketts uses places the scar under the nose rather than along the upper edge of the lip, and aims to lift the corners of the lip as much as the approach allows. By shortening the distance between the nose and the lip, the procedure shows more of the red lip. Because the change comes from your own tissue rather than from adding volume, the result keeps the character of your own mouth and is a more permanent change to the shape than lip fillers.

An upper lip lift may suit you if the space between your nose and your upper lip has lengthened, if your upper lip looks long or flat, or if your upper teeth no longer show as they once did. The scar sits under the nose, so it is important to understand that this is a visible area that takes time to settle. Dr Ricketts will examine your lip and tell you honestly whether the procedure is likely to give you the result you want. She will also show you examples of the scar position and appearance.

At your consultation Dr Ricketts examines your lip, your smile and the relationship between your nose and your mouth, and discusses what you would like to change. She explains the technique, where the scar would sit, the recovery and the risks, and what is realistic for your lip. She gives you written information and time to consider your decision.

An upper lip lift is commonly performed under general anaesthetic as a day case. On the day Dr Ricketts confirms the plan and marks the lip carefully before commencing the surgery, since precise marking is important. Our team supports you through the procedure and recovery before you go home with instructions and a support person.

An upper lip lift is commonly performed under general anaesthetic, sometimes under local anaesthetic with sedation, as a day case. In the first one to two weeks expect swelling and bruising of the upper lip, and the lip may feel tight or stiff. The scar under the nose is pink at first and softens and fades over the following months, and protecting it from the sun supports how it settles.

Most people are back at a desk within about a week, though this depends on how settled the swelling looks. While the lip is swollen, eating and speaking can feel a little different for a short time. The lip takes a few weeks to reach its final shape. Everyone heals differently, and what one person goes through may not match another person’s experience.

Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a focused practice in facial surgery, including upper lip lift. She is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak professional bodies for plastic surgery in Australia. You can also find her on RealSelf. Each of these listings is maintained by independent organisations and provides patients with a straightforward way to check their qualifications, training, and scope of practice before booking a consultation.