Philtrum Columns

The two subtle ridges descending from the base of the nose to the Cupid's bow. Lip lift shortens the column length and advances the lip upward, directly restoring mid-face vertical proportion.

Cupid's Bow

The double-curved upper vermillion border. Lip lift directly improves the prominence and symmetry of the Cupid's bow — a dimensional change that filler cannot replicate with the same precision.

White Roll

The fine, pale band along the vermillion border. After lip lift, increased white roll visibility is one of the key signs of a successful result — producing a naturally fuller appearance without filler.

Vermillion Border

The transition line between lip skin and mucosa. Lip lift repositions this border upward, improving the definition of the lip outline and the visual "frame" of the mouth.

Nasal Sill

The horizontal line at the base of the nostrils. The subnasal bullhorn excision is placed along this line so the healed scar is concealed within the natural shadow of the nose base.

Columella and Nasolabial Angle

The nasolabial (columella-to-lip) angle ideally measures 95–110° in women and 90–95° in men. Lip lift planning accounts for this angle to ensure the result harmonises with the nose rather than distorting it.

Subnasal Bullhorn Lip Lift (Gold Standard)

A bull-horn shaped strip of skin is removed just below the nose, along the nasal sill line. The upper lip skin is advanced upward and the wound closed in fine layers. The orbicularis oris muscle is preserved; only skin and subcutaneous tissue are excised. The scar falls exactly along the nose base crease, becoming imperceptible after healing.

Advantages: Permanent correction, well-concealed scar, simultaneous improvement of philtrum, Cupid's bow, and white roll. The most widely performed lip lift technique globally.

Corner Lip Lift (Commissuroplasty)

Small skin excisions are placed just above the oral commissures to elevate downturned lip corners. Indicated for isolated commissure ptosis — the "sad mouth" appearance. Often combined with subnasal bullhorn in the same session for comprehensive lip rejuvenation.

Direct Lip Lift

Skin is excised immediately above the vermillion border. Preferred in cases of significant asymmetry, in mature patients without a moustache-camouflage concern, or where localised correction is needed. The scar is concealed along the lip line and matures well over time.

Elongated Upper White Lip

Age-related or genetically long philtrum (>13 mm in women) creates a tired, flat-faced appearance. Lip lift directly shortens this distance, restoring facial proportions.

Hidden Upper Front Teeth

When the upper incisors are not visible at rest, the face reads as aged. Lip lift raises the vermillion to introduce a subtle tooth show — one of the strongest indicators of a youthful smile.

Undefined Cupid's Bow

A flattened or undefined Cupid's bow — whether age-related or structural — is addressed structurally by lip lift, producing a sharper, more symmetrical contour than filler alone.

Thin-Appearing Upper Lip

Apparent thinness caused by philtrum length rather than volume loss is best treated by lip lift. The repositioned vermillion adds apparent fullness without extra volume.

Downturned Lip Corners

Commissure ptosis creating a "sad mouth" at rest is addressed with corner lip lift — often combined with the subnasal approach in a single session.

Filler Fatigue

Patients dissatisfied with repeated lip filler — getting volume but not the shape they want — often have a philtrum proportion problem. Lip lift provides the permanent proportional solution.

Stage 1 — Proportional Analysis and Planning

Philtrum length, vermillion height, Cupid's bow geometry, incisor visibility at rest, and nose base anatomy are assessed. The excision amount and shape are designed individually — taking nasolabial angle and nasal tip projection into account so the result harmonises with the nose.

Stage 2 — Anaesthesia

Isolated lip lift is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, allowing same-day discharge. When combined with rhinoplasty or other facial procedures, general anaesthesia is preferred.

Stage 3 — Skin Excision and Lip Advancement

The marked bullhorn template is excised; the orbicularis oris muscle is preserved. The upper lip skin is advanced superiorly. Deep fixation sutures at the muscle level may be placed to resist the natural downward pull of the lip over time.

Stage 4 — Layered Closure

Deep absorbable sutures are placed, followed by fine surface sutures. The incision line is aligned precisely along the nasal sill crease to ensure maximum scar concealment.

Stage 5 — Discharge

The patient is discharged the same day. Sutures are removed or dissolve within 5–7 days. Soft foods are recommended for the first week; normal facial expression is not restricted.

Elongated Philtrum

The clearest single indication. A philtrum exceeding 13 mm in women or 15 mm in men responds most predictably and dramatically to lip lift.

Proportion Rather Than Volume Problem

Patients who have used filler but remain dissatisfied because their lips look "big but not right" typically have a proportional issue best solved by lip lift rather than more volume.

Hidden Upper Incisors

No visible upper teeth at rest is a strong aesthetic indication for lip lift. Restoring this "tooth show" has a rejuvenating effect disproportionate to the size of the surgery.

Realistic Expectations

Lip lift corrects proportion permanently; it does not stop ageing. A natural improvement in harmony with the patient's own facial features — not a dramatic transformation — is the appropriate goal.

General Health

Controlled chronic conditions, normal coagulation, and non-smoking (or cessation pre-operatively) are standard requirements for any facial surgical procedure.

Adequate Skin Laxity and Nasal Base Width

Sufficient skin laxity allows accurate positioning of the advanced lip. Nasal base width is assessed to ensure bullhorn excision width does not risk widening the alar base.

Permanent Result

Lip lift creates a permanent anatomical change; unlike filler (lasting 6–12 months) it does not require retreatment — the philtrum cannot return to its original length after excision.

Natural Appearance

Because the result repositions structure rather than adding volume, there is no risk of an over-inflated or unnatural look. The outcome is harmonious with the patient's own facial features.

Multi-Dimensional Improvement

A single procedure simultaneously addresses philtrum shortening, Cupid's bow definition, white roll prominence, vermillion exposure, and upper incisor visibility — five parameters in one surgery.

Concealable Scar

The bullhorn scar falls along the nasal sill crease, where it fades to near-invisibility in the vast majority of patients by 3–6 months post-operatively.

Short Procedure Time

An isolated lip lift takes approximately 30–60 minutes under local anaesthesia plus sedation. Same-day discharge is routine.

Combinable with Multiple Procedures

Lip lift integrates seamlessly with rhinoplasty, brow lift, blepharoplasty, or facelift — enabling comprehensive single-session facial rejuvenation.

Rhinoplasty

Nasal tip projection and columella position directly affect lip lift planning; combining rhinoplasty and lip lift in a single session is common and produces a more coherent nasal-lip harmony. Rhinoplasty →

Chin Shaping (Chinoplasty)

The chin and lip define the lower-face proportion together; lip lift plus chinoplasty is one of the most effective single-session lower-face balance combinations available. Chin Shaping →

Brow Lift

Upper and lower face rejuvenated simultaneously; lip lift + brow lift balances the upper and lower facial frame and produces a comprehensive, harmonious result. Brow Lift →

Facial Fat Transfer

While lip lift corrects proportion, fat grafting can restore volume in the lower lip or perioral area — providing both structural and volumetric perioral rejuvenation in one session. Facial Fat Transfer →

EBOPRAS Certification

European Board certification in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery encompasses lip lift and all facial surgical procedures.

ISAPS Membership

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery membership reflects commitment to global standards in both technique and patient care.

Focused Exclusively on Facial Aesthetics

Lip lift is always planned within the context of the whole face — philtrum length, Cupid's bow, tooth show, and nasal harmony assessed together before any excision is designed.

Proportion-Guided Planning

Each patient's philtrum length, vermillion height, and lower-face proportions are measured individually; excision width and vector are determined accordingly — never a one-size template.

International Patients — Muratpaşa, Antalya

Remote video pre-assessment, in-person consultation and surgery in Antalya, and post-operative video follow-up are available. Multilingual coordination throughout.

Natural, Unoperated Appearance

Over-excision producing a lip that looks "pulled" is the most common lip lift complication. Conservative, calibrated planning ensures the result reads as natural ageing reversal — not surgical over-correction.

Scar Visibility

The bullhorn scar is pink initially and fades progressively. Hypertrophic scar tendency is managed with silicone sheeting and scar care protocol.

Over-Elevation

Excessive excision can leave the upper lip permanently rotated upward. Conservative excision amounts and careful planning prevent this complication.

Transient Swelling and Numbness

Perioral swelling for several weeks is expected. Temporary sensory changes in the upper lip typically resolve within 4–8 weeks.

Asymmetry

Early apparent asymmetry is usually differential swelling. Persistent asymmetry is rare; if present, it can be revised after full healing.

Infection

Oral hygiene protocols and prophylactic antibiotics minimise infection risk. The perioral area has excellent blood supply, supporting rapid healing.

Under-Correction

If a conservative excision under-corrects, a minor revision can be performed after full healing — preferable to over-excision which is harder to reverse.