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Keep your lips looking youthful and pouty with a lip lift in Philadelphia. This surgical procedure usually only takes an hour to perform and offers impressive yet natural results.
A surgical lip lift yields longer-lasting results than treatments and fillers. If you prefer not to come in for repeated filler and neurotoxin injection sessions to maintain your voluminous pout or feel filler offers a limited result for your lips, then it is time to explore the benefits of a lip lift.
What Is a Lip Lift?
The lip lift procedure is a type of cosmetic surgery used to improve the appearance of a sagging or thin upper lip. It is usually performed to reduce the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip, known as the philtrum. This surgical treatment can improve the volume, prominence, and shape of your lips. It can reverse lip thinning as well as lip ptosis (drooping of the lower lip). One sign of facial aging is an elongated white portion of the upper lip, which can only be definitively improved with lip lift surgery.
There are two types of lip lifts performed by Dr. Ho: the modified bullhorn lip lift and the corner lip lift. Modified bullhorn lip lifts use an incision at the base of the nose and remove a portion of the white upper lip to create a fuller upper lip with a defined cupid’s bow. Corner lip lifts focus on raising downturned oral commissures, which are the sides of the lips where the upper lip meets the lower lip.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
If the distance between your nose and lips is more than 1.5 cm, you may be a good candidate for a lip lift. Aging people who want to get rid of their perpetually stern look due to drooping and thin lips may be ideal candidates for this surgery. Younger people who are dissatisfied with the temporary or limited results of fillers may also benefit from lip lift surgery. Patients with thin lips who are prone to developing a “duck appearance” with lip filler are often good candidates for lip lift.
You must be in good overall health to undergo this surgery, and it is best to be a non-smoker. You may not be an ideal candidate to undergo a lip lift if you are not willing or unable to stop smoking two to four weeks before your surgery. It is also important to have realistic expectations in terms of results.
Your Lip Lift Consultation
Your lip lift consultation with Dr. Ho will involve a physical examination of your lips and assessment of your treatment goals. Dr. Ho will also ask you questions regarding your medical history and lifestyle. Be prepared to discuss your underlying medical conditions if you have any, as well as current medications and any allergies. You will be given pre-operative instructions such as abstaining from alcohol and smoking as well as from blood-thinning medications.
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– Dr. Tina Ho
The Procedure
The lip lift can be performed under local anesthesia or in conjunction with other surgical procedures including facelift and neck lift as well as rhinoplasty. Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, incisions will be created. For a modified bullhorn lip lift, the incision will be a continuous line just below the nostrils. In a corner lip lift, the incisions will be made just above the corners of the mouth.
Dr. Ho will then remove a pre-marked area of tissue above the lip to achieve the intended lift. During the modified bullhorn lip lift procedure, Dr. Ho will release the upper lip in the layer below the SMAS layer (sub-SMAS plane) and place dissolveable deep sutures to ensure an adequate tension-free lift of the upper lip. When the desired look is achieved, the incisions will be closed. Dr. Ho performs meticulous skin closure to make sure that the eventual scars heal well and are minimal. You will be closely monitored throughout the entire procedure. The whole process, depending on the extent of work done, may take 30 minutes to one hour.
Recovery After a Lip Lift
Your lip lift recovery may take a few weeks to complete, though you may feel swollen and tight in the upper lip for the first few months. Make sure to get plenty of rest during the first 24 hours to help jumpstart the healing process. Sutures will be removed at one week after surgery.
During recovery, avoid opening your mouth too wide, and use a small toothbrush while brushing your teeth. Do not put any pressure on your lip region, and do not sleep face down. Keep your lips moisturized. Most people can go back to normal routines fairly soon after but must avoid strenuous exercises for two weeks after surgery. Sometimes, skin resurfacing procedures such as microneedling or CO2 laser resurfacing are needed in the recovery period to improve the appearance of the scars.
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FAQ’s
How Much Does a Lip Lift Cost?
Due to Dr. Ho’s personalized approach to treatment, the cost of your lip lift surgery will depend on a few factors. The overall price will include the anesthetic and surgical fees and any additional procedures performed in combination with your lip lift. The average range for a li lift starts at $5,000-$7,000 including facility and anesthesia fees.
How long does a lip lift last?
The results of a lip lift in Philadelphia can last for over ten years. The natural aging process of the lips continues even after the procedure; however, the lips will always appear more youthful than if the procedure was not performed. The continued volume loss common with aging can be addressed with filler injections or a more permanent solution like a fat transfer.
What is the best age for a lip lift?
There is no magic age when a lip lift should be performed. The two most common reasons lip lifts are performed are:
- For a genetic predisposition for thin lips
- For age-related changes
In genetically predisposed patients, a lip lift is commonly performed in their 20s to 30s, whereas, patients in their 40s, 50s, and older will obtain a lip lift to combat the age-related changes to their lips. If you are unsure if a lip lift is right for you, a lip lift specialist in Philadelphia can answer your questions.
Do lip lifts look natural?
A lip lift enhances the appearance of the lips by shortening the distance from your nose to the top part of your lip, providing a more youthful and fuller appearance. This surgery can provide a natural-looking result that can last far longer than fillers. Selecting a top lip lift surgeon in Philadelphia can help maximize your results and reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, it is important to do your research and always consider using a board-certified plastic surgeon.
How painful is a lip lift?
The discomfort after a lip lift surgery is typically moderate and can be easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. The majority of the discomfort will be present during the first few days of surgery and will gradually improve. Swelling after a lip lift procedure is a common complaint. This can be minimized by sleeping with the head elevated and using cold compresses around the lips. Fortunately, the majority of swelling will dissipate by seven to ten days after surgery.
Does a lip lift change your smile?
Absolutely. After a lip lift, your upper lip will look fuller and the upper lip will not roll towards your teeth as much when you smile. A lip lift can increase the visibility of your teeth when you smile or talk resulting in a brighter, more radiating smile. These subtle changes also give the lips a natural, more vibrant appearance. To obtain the most natural-looking results, be confident you are choosing the best lip lift doctor in Philadelphia.
Does lip lift affect the bottom lip?
A lip lift procedure targets genetic or age-related thin upper lips to provide a fuller, more youthful appearance. The techniques used in this procedure will have minimal effects on the bottom lip, except to provide a subtle lift to the corner of the mouth. If additional treatment is needed to address the bottom lift, a lower lip lift or dermal fillers can be performed to significantly improve the appearance of the lower lip.
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Set Up Your Consultation
Keep your lips pouty and permanently reverse your downturned lip corners with a lip lift in Philadelphia. Contact Dr. Ho to schedule a consultation, where she will go into further detail regarding the benefits of this lip enhancement option.
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