What is a Lip Lift?
The columella (base of the nose) and the vermilion border are separated by a surgical technique called a lip lift (red upper lip line). Although it can be congenitally lengthy even in young people, this distance tends to lengthen with age.
Reducing the height of the philtrum (vertical height of the upper lip) might result in a more equal proportion in the anatomical space between the base of the nose and the chin, improving facial aesthetics generally.
Who is a good candidate?
A subnasal lip lift is recommended for patients with a long philtrum of more than 15 mm, with the goal of reducing the height by one-third. Individual measures, on the other hand, may differ, necessitating a comprehensive clinical examination. The quantity of lift necessary is determined by the patient’s face traits and measurements, as well as the aesthetic he or she wishes to achieve.
Patients with a lengthy philtrum who previously had filler lip augmentation may have had protrusion of the lip forward instead of an increase in red lip show, a condition known as “duck lips.” A subnasal lip lift can help these patients obtain a fuller, more natural top lip. A surgical lip lift can improve facial aesthetics and revitalize the lower face by permanently increasing vermillion show, increasing tooth display, and overall improving facial aesthetics.
Lip Lift surgery may be beneficial to patients who are showing signs of face aging. The following are some of the changes that occur in the mouth and lip as we get older:
• Soft tissue descent causes a loss of upper lip volume.
• The vermillion border has been thinned, with the cupid’s bow and philtral columns losing definition.
• Bony resorption, which reduces the prominence of the lip
• The upper Lip Complex, which appears deflated, is vertically lengthened.
• Rhytids of the perioral region (smokers or lipstick lines)
Is the corner of the mouth addressed by the subnasal lip lift?
A traditional surgical lip lift, also known as a “subnasal lift,” is quite efficient in elevating the center section of the upper lip, but it has minimal effect on the lateral part, which is at the level of the mouth’s corner. A corner lip lift may be a preferable solution for patients who are concerned about their “downturned mouth” appearance. A corner lift involves the removal of a little bit of skin from the corner of the mouth, with the final scar covered at the skin-vermillion border junction. For the right patients, a subnasal lift can be paired with a corner lip lift.
How is the recovery after Lip Lift?
The lip and cheek area will be puffy during the first few days after surgery. The pain and swelling can range from minor to moderate, and the pain is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Stronger medicines, such as codeine, are only used in very rare cases.
Use ice packs at home for the first 48 hours (frozen pea sacks are wonderful!) and sleep with your head elevated, supported by a couple of cushions. During this time, a soft diet is recommended, and you may find it beneficial to drink water through a straw for the first few days.
For the next two weeks, avoid any intense activities, including exercise.
Upon discharge, you will be given an antibiotic-based ointment. This will need to be administered twice a day to the suture line.
After 24 hours, you can begin cleaning the affected region with an antibacterial face wash before applying the ointment.
The same care can be continued for another 7 days after the skin sutures are removed on day 6 or 7.
The scar can be treated with silicone therapy and massage two weeks following surgery, when the site is totally dry and there are no scabs.
Silicone strips are preferred, however if wearing the strips for several hours during the day is not possible, a silicone-based gel can also be quite useful. When applying the gel (or over the strip), gently massaging the region will aid in the long-term flattening of the scar. Silicone therapy can be continued for up to three months if the scar is improving.
The incision is done into the natural lines and shadows at the columella (nose base), nostrils, and the alar base creases. The scar is nicely hidden, and with proper surgical technique and maintenance, it will fade away within a few months.
The scar can be hidden with soft makeup during social interactions following the initial stage of wound healing and maturation, until it fades completely after a few months.
The most common side effect of a lip lift is a visible scar. Patients with a history of poor scarring (hypertrophic or keloids) are not suitable candidates for this procedure. Infection, delayed healing, asymmetry, under or overcorrection, scar contracture, grin distortion, nostril widening, and nasal sill distortion are all rare problems.
Nasal widening is frequently visible for a few weeks following the operation. It usually settles entirely, but some little enlargement or deformation of the nostrils may be persistent. Our surgeons employ a unique method that tries to prevent long-term nose enlargement. Some patients with naturally narrow nostrils may receive a minor degree of permanent nose widening. This widening impact is usually advantageous to those patients since it provides the nose a more balanced appearance.
