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Surgical Lip Lift | My Beauty Protocol

Surgical Lip Lift

Subnasal Lip Lift

Plain-English name: Subnasal Lip Elevation

Also known asLip Lift SurgeryBullhorn Lip LiftUpper Lip Lift

Educational info only, not medical advice. Ask a qualified provider. Disclaimer · Terms

A precise surgical technique shortens the philtrum, subtly elevating the upper lip to enhance its visibility and contour.

Downtime: 2 weeks
Sessions: 1
Pain: Medium
Cost per procedure: Price level 5 of 5
Results last: Permanent; lips still age

Surgery that shortens the space under the nose, showing more of the upper lip.

Check first: Insufficient distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip.

Will it work for me?

What people use it for

Tap one to see how it helps.

Skin types to ask about first

Breakout-proneAsk first

Active breakouts near the cut can raise the risk of infection. Tell your surgeon about acne and any acne medicine.

Some people try this firstCheaper, same-day options. They cover or style. They don't treat.

For fuller-looking lips
- Lip liner close to your natural lip colour
- A little gloss in the centre of the lower lip
What it won't do: The shape lasts a day, not months.
Styling tip

Before and after your visit

Plan it around your lifeMakeup, sun, workouts — see what fits around your treatment.

The visit

Duration: 45–75 minutes

What to expect, and what to avoid

Recovery

7–14 days

May look swollen

2 weeks

Avoid sun

2 weeks

No makeup

1 week

No sweat or heat

3 weeks

Other aftercare

Sleep on your back with your head raised
Don't talk a lot or open your mouth wide at first
Eat soft foods only for a few days

Your provider may give you different timing.

Day by day

Before your visit: ask when to start
- Arrange a ride home
- Stop smoking
- No alcohol
- Tell your provider about your medicines, allergies and health
10 days before
Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and vitamin E for 10 days before, if your doctor agrees
After your visit
- Put on the ointment your provider gives you
- No hard exercise or heavy lifting for 2–3 weeks
- Go to all follow-up visits
- Eat soft foods only
- Keep the area clean
- Sleep on your back with your head raised
- Expect noticeable swelling, bruising, and tightness in the first week. Sutures are typically removed around day 5-7. Swelling peaks early and gradually subsides over 2-4 weeks. The initial redness of the scar will fade and soften over several months to a year. Mild tightness may linger for a couple of months.

Side effects, and who should wait

Who may want to think twice

Insufficient distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip.
Active skin infections in the area.
Unrealistic expectations.
Tendency to form keloid or hypertrophic scars.
Smoking (must be discontinued before and after surgery).
Use of blood-thinning medications or supplements.
Pregnancy (planned cosmetic surgery waits until after the baby is born)

Possible side effects

Common

Swelling
Bruising
Mild discomfort or pain
Tightness
Temporary numbness

Less common

Noticeable or hypertrophic scarring
Infection
Asymmetry or uneven lips
Nerve damage
Allergic reaction to anesthesia or sutures
Distortion of the nostrils

Your own risks may differ. Ask a qualified provider.

How it works, and common myths

The procedure surgically shortens the philtrum, elevating the upper lip to reveal more vermilion and improve facial harmony.

A little more technical

By surgically removing a small amount of skin from the area between the nose and the upper lip, the procedure physically lifts the lip into a higher, more youthful position.

The procedure involves a subnasal excision of a predetermined amount of cutaneous tissue, typically in a bullhorn pattern, followed by undermining and advancement of the inferior flap and a multi-layered closure. This shortens the philtral length, resulting in superior rotation and increased eversion of the upper lip vermilion.

Mechanism category: Bullhorn Excision; A precisely measured strip of skin (shaped like a bullhorn) is removed from the base of the nose to permanently shorten the upper lip.
Result: Dental Show Restoration; Naturally turns the vermilion border upward, increasing the visible pink area of the lip and restoring youthful tooth show when smiling.
Clinical descriptor: Subnasal Lip Lift
Permanence / longevity: Permanent; lips still age