Lip Lift

A lip lift is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in London. This procedure aims to elevate the upper lip and improve facial balance and proportions.

Lip lift surgery offers an effective and natural-looking solution that also reintroduces youthfulness to the face. Rather than attempting to achieve lip volume via repeat injectable fillers where the lip’s natural construction does not allow for it, lip lift aims to alter the constitution of the lips thus achieving substantial, long-term results. 

During your consultation, you will establish whether a lip lift is the best solution for your cosmetic concerns. Our recommended specialist, Prof. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, will also determine whether additional treatment by injectables will benefit the overall cosmetic appearance you seek.

Lip Lift – Before and After Photos

Scarless Lip Lift

The most common surgical technique (known as a bullhorn lip lift) used for surgical lip lift procedures can leave visible facial scarring due to an incision in the crease under the patient’s nose, giving rise to patients regularly complaining of the scar pulling on their nose and causing agitation, as well as aesthetic considerations of having a scar in the middle of the face.  

In an effort to avoid such scarring in the face, Dr Abu-Sittah performs the lip lift procedure from inside the lip, known as the V to Y lip lift. Incising the inner lip allows him to completely avoid any scarring to the face thus eliminating any concerns emanating from the scar’s healing process, while achieving the desired results. 

Where the patient’s cosmetic concern is related to the length of their lip, the plastic surgeon may need to employ the bullhorn technique to shorten the upper lip. Please visit our V to Y Lip Lift vs Bullhorn Lip Lift blog for more information on the differences between these two lip lift procedures.

Is a Lip Lift Worth it?

This lip augmentation restores volume and proportions to an elongated upper lip that lacks a dominant red lip (vermillion), due to either an inherited constitution or a consequence of ageing and gravity.

The procedure effectively shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum) by elevating the upper lip. The ideal distance between the nose and the upper lip, considered to be 14-15 mm, lengthens to 20 mm or more by the age of 50 and continues to increase over time. A lip lift substantially restores the youthful appearance to the patient’s face by reducing the philtrum. 

Importantly, a lip lift also increases the appearance of volume in thin lips, not only promoting fuller lips but also improving your smile by further exposing your teeth evenly and restoring facial balance.

How Much Does A Lip Lift Cost in London?

The cost of a lip lift in London starts at £4250. For a more accurate estimate of what your lip lift surgery in London will cost, schedule a consultation with Dr Abu-Sittah today.

Lip Lift vs. Lip Flip

A lip flip is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that involves a few injections of toxins just above the patient’s lip border. The Orbicularis Oris muscle around the mouth is then relaxed allowing the top lip to gently roll out, creating a subtle added volume in the upper lip. Repeat treatments are required every 2 to 4 months. 

As toxins affect muscle movement, effectively paralysing the muscle to which it is injected, the patient’s lip might be very temporarily ‘flipped’ but it is also paralysed, often leaving patients with adverse effects such as not being able to use their upper lip. Therefore, Dr Abu-Sittah does not perform this procedure and advises patients against it.

Lip Lift vs. Lip Fillers

Prof. Abu-Sittah also uses top graded dermal fillers to restore tissue volume loss in the lips. Dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, an ingredient found naturally in the human body, acting very much like a natural sponge that attracts water and gives our skin its youthful and plump look. Dermal fillers last 6-12 months post-treatment after which the body starts to naturally degrade the hyaluronic acid dermal filler over time. Depending on the patient’s reaction, a repeat treatment is required roughly every 6 months to maintain results. 

While dermal fillers are a popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure, some patients are reluctant to undergo the treatment as they prefer what they consider a more natural result. Others are concerned with the temporary nature of degradable dermal fillers, which also involves an ongoing expense.

Lip Lift and Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty surgery patients that are planning to undergo a lip lift often prefer to undergo both surgical procedures simultaneously. This is due to both surgeries involving incisions in the face in relatively close proximity. Patients are also encouraged by coinciding the recovery time of both procedures as well as saving the costs associated with theatre rooms and other administrative fees.

How is a Scarless Lip Lift Achieved?

Dr Abu-Sittah uses a singular approach to lip lift surgery in London, entirely avoiding incising the skin under the nose to create an elevated appearance by pulling the skin and the upper lip.

The scarless method is achieved when the inner lip is incised to allow the vermillion to elevate, thus eliminating the visual risks emanating from scarring the middle section of the face.

Lip Lift Recovery Time

Patients are advised to refrain from any activity for 48 hours after the procedure, after which you will be able to resume most normal activities. You should expect to be able to return to work after 3-4 days. Most patients find 4 days of downtime necessary at the least before resuming extraneous activity, including exercise. Expect 2 weeks of visible swelling and 4 weeks before final results are visible from your lip lift in London.

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