Patients displayed each underwent a Lip Lift with Dr. James Pearson. Before photos demonstrate relative elongation of the upper cutaneous lip. Following the Lip Lift, the upper cutaneous lip is shortened and the natural shape of the "Cupid's Bow" area is enhanced. Together, a more favorable proportion and shape are imparted to the lips.

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Lip Lift Overview

Lip Lift

The Lip Lift is one of Dr. Pearson's signature surgical procedures. Dr. Pearson is sought after for his ability to achieve substantial lip enhancement while preserving a natural, un-operated appearance, along with inconspicuous surgical scars, and for his many satisfied Lip Lift patients.

Introduction
The Subnasal Lip Lift procedure enables long-lasting lip enhancement. The procedure involves lifting or shortening the upper lip to restore balance between the upper and lower lips.

Background
The lips are unique facial features which receive special attention. During social engagement, our eyes are drawn disproportionately to one's lips in a similar manner as they are to one's eyes. Lips figure prominently in speech and communication and often receive make-up to accentuate their appearance.

Various methods of lip enhancement are available including minimally invasive as well as surgical techniques. Both temporary and permanent options are available. Temporary options are a good way for patients to experiment with changes to the lip and 'try on' their new appearance. Many procedures may be performed in the office.

A natural appearance to the lips is integral to a favorable result. Size, shape, symmetry, proportion and balance must all be factored in to the doctor's plan and approach. Simply 'plumping' the lips is not sufficient to acheive the results desired by most women.

Evaluation and treatment by a facial specialist like Dr. Pearson can maximize your chances for a superior result. Dr. Pearson's lip enhancement patients appreciate his gentle touch, painless technique, artistic sensibility and eye for detail.

The Aging Process
During the normal aging process, the lips change in size and shape. The red portion of the lip (vermillion) decreases in height and the skin-covered portion of the upper lip (cutaneous lip) elongates. Volume is lost from the red lip as well as from portions of the cutaneous lip responsible for lip contour including the white-red border of the lip (the "white roll") and the portion of the cutaneous lip below the nose which comprises the so-called "Cupid's bow" and adjacent "philtral columns". The cutanaous (skin-bearing) portions of the upper and lower lips also develop vertical lines from both age-related skin changes and the repeated action of the underlying muscles over many years. Together, these changes impart a less youthful appearance to the lip and mouth.

Candidates for Lip Lift Procedure
You may be a candidate for lip enhancement if the changes in size or shape of your lips contribute to an unsatisfactory appearance of the lips or if you are interested in lip enhancement.

In particular, if vertical elongation of the skin portion of the upper lip contributes to an apparent imbalance in the natural ratio between the upper lip skin and vermillion (red lip), a Lip Lift may help to restore that aesthetically-favorable youthful balance.

Lip Proportion - Upper Lip : Lower Lip
The vertical height of the upper lip (*measured from underneath the nose (subnasale) to the upper lip's wet-dry border) is ideally one half the height of the lower lip (*measured from the lower lip's wet-dry border to the bottom of the chin). Elongation of the cutaneous portion of the upper lip may lead to disproportion in this natural ratio, and may contribute to the appearance of a less aesthetically pleasing lip and peri-oral area.

In the top photo, the yellow arrow depicts the actual vertical height of the upper lip. The ideal vertical height* (white arrows) of the upper lip is one-half the vertical height* of the lower lip. Following a Lip Lift procedure (bottom photo), the ratio of the upper:lower lip height is improved. This change imparts a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the lips and peri oral area.

Lip Lift
A Lip Lift can decrease the relative vertical length of the cutaneous lip which may be congenital or age-related..

Lip Lift - Profile View - Illustration of Vertical Shortening

The profile view demonstrates that the vertical lip is shortened as part of the Lip Lift procedure. The degree of shortening is individualized for each patient.

Lip Lift - Process - Photo Illustration

1. Before Lip Lift. 2. Proposed incision site outlind in blue. Area within incision site will be excised. Philtral columns denoted in green. 3. Immediately following the Lip Lift, the upper cutaneous lip has been advanced superiorly. Note that the vertical height of the upper cutaneous lip is reduced. Sutures are apparent at the incision site concealed underneath the nose. 4. After the Lip Lift procedure, the ratio of the upper to lower lip height is improved.

Complementary Procedures
Resurfacing of the skin surrounding the mouth can help to improve the vertical lines which appear on the white portion of the upper and lower lips.

Possible Non-surgical Alternative Treatments
Volumizing fillers may be used to rejuvenate the lips by restoring volume or enhancing lip shape and contour.

Recovery after Lip Lift
For surgical procedures, mild soreness, and temporary swelling and bruising improve over a couple of days. Most people choose to wait until any sutures are removed (5-7 days) prior to returning to work.

Lip Lift Scar - Photo Illustration

Photo inset demonstrates a well healed lip lift scar (6 months). When carefully designed, meticulously performed and taken care of appropriately, scars are typically imperceptible to onlookers and may be further disguised with makeup.

How often does Dr. Pearson perform the lip lift procedure? How many Lip Lifts has Dr. Pearson performed ?

Dr. Pearson performs the lip lift surgery frequently, as reflected in the many before and after photos in our gallery and online patient reviews for this service. The lip lift is one of Dr. Pearson’s specialty procedures. He has performed many.

Where is the incision site placed?

For the subnasal Lip Lift, the incision site is designed to be concealed just underneath the nose in the natural skin crease between the lower nose and the upper lip.

How much skin is removed during the lip lift?

This is a very individualized surgical decision, and varies from patient to patient. The amount of skin removed depends upon Dr. Pearson's evaluation, the patient's goals and the laxity of the skin.

Is the lip muscle cut during this procedure? How is the lip muscle treated?

With Dr. Pearson's technique, the underlying lip muscle is generally not incised in most cases.

That is because most people are able to achieve their aesthetic lip goals without the need for the surgeon to cut into the lip muscle. The fascial tissues overlying the muscle are tightened, which imparts lift longevity while minimizing those potential risks and prolonged healing involved with muscle-cutting techniques.

What are the potential risks of this procedure?

Potential risks are similar to any facial surgical procedure and include the possibilities of infection, poor scar formation, etc. A detailed discussion about potential risks is undertaken during consultation with Dr. Pearson. Various precautions are taken to minimize risks. Most patients experience no complications.

Is the procedure permanent?

The Lip Lift does not become 'undone'. The excised lip skin does not grow back. However, with continued aging, one may expect additional and progressive upper lip elongation to develop over time.

Can an onlooker tell that I had a Lip Lift?

Surgical scars are never truly invisible. However, when carefully designed, meticulously performed and appropriately cared for, scars are typically inconspicuous to onlookers and may be further disguised with makeup.

Is the procedure painful?

Patients report that they feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. On the evening of the procedure, many patients use pain medications to control the soreness and help them to rest. Most patients discontinue use of prescription pain medications within 2-3 days.

Can I drive myself home from the procedure?

In most cases, only local anesthesia (numbing medication) is used for the Lip Lift procedure. In that case, yes, you may resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. That includes driving.

If any sedation is used, then you cannot drive yourself home.

Is there swelling and/or bruising following the procedure?

For most patients, bruising is minimal. Swelling of the lips is expected. Lips appear most swollen on the day after the procedure. By 1 week, most (but not all) of the swelling has dissipated.

Will the Lip Lift impart the appearance of 'duck lips'?

This is a common concern. At our practice, we have not had that occur. If the correct amount of lifting is performed, the Lip Lift procedure does not impart the forward-projecting lip appearance referred to as 'duck lips.'

How do I care for my lips during the healing period?

Patients are provided with detailed instructions at the time of the procedure.

How long before I can return to work?

Most women choose to return to work by about 7-10 days, when most of the swelling has subsided.

When can I resume full activity including exercise?

In most cases, patients may resume full activity by 2-3 weeks following the procedure.

Why would anyone consider this procedure if they can achieve the results they want using injectable treatments?

Most patients who consider this procedure are not satisfied with the results achieved using fillers. Interested patients seek a more balanced lip appearance or a shortened upper lip, and not simply increased fullness of the lips.

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