Lip Lift
Newport Beach & Beverly Hills | Dr. Monica Kieu, DO, FACS
Understanding the Upper Lip — And Why It Changes
The distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip border — called the cutaneous upper lip or philtrum — is one of the most age-sensitive measurements on the face. In youth, this distance is typically 11–13mm in women and 13–15mm in men, and the upper lip sits at a position that naturally reveals a few millimeters of the upper teeth at rest and rolls outward with a soft, defined vermilion border.
As we age, the upper lip undergoes a predictable set of changes: the cutaneous lip elongates (the philtrum grows longer), the vermilion — the pink portion of the lip — loses height and rolls inward, the Cupid's bow flattens, and the upper teeth become progressively hidden at rest. The result is a lip that looks thinner, older, and less defined — even in patients who have never lost volume.
This is the critical distinction that makes lip lift surgery so powerful: lip aging is not only a volume problem — it is a positional and dimensional one. Filler adds volume, but it cannot shorten a long philtrum, restore a hidden tooth show, or re-evert a rolled-in vermilion border. Only surgery can do that.
The ideal upper lip — key proportions Dr. Kieu restores:
• Philtrum length: 11–13mm (women) / 13–15mm (men) at rest
• Upper tooth show: 2–4mm visible at rest (diminishes with age)
• Vermilion height: Adequate pink lip height with gentle outward roll
• Cupid's bow: Defined peaks with a central dip — not flattened or effaced
• Upper-to-lower lip ratio: Approximately 1:1.6 (upper to lower)
What a Lip Lift Does — and What It Doesn't
A lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip, rolling the vermilion upward and outward to restore lip height, tooth show, Cupid's bow definition, and a more youthful overall lip position. The effect is a lip that appears lifted, defined, and naturally fuller — without adding a drop of filler.
It does not add volume in the way that filler does. Patients whose primary concern is thin lips with an appropriate philtrum length may be better served by filler or V-to-Y lip augmentation — Dr. Kieu will discuss all options during consultation and recommend the approach best suited to your specific anatomy. Many patients benefit from a combination of lip lift and filler, or lip lift and V-to-Y, to address both position and volume simultaneously.
Dr. Kieu's Lip Lift Techniques
Dr. Kieu is proficient in multiple lip lift approaches and selects the technique — or combination of techniques — based on each patient's philtrum dimensions, anatomical goals, skin type, and whether they are having additional procedures. Her surgical precision and refined incision planning consistently produce scars that are nearly imperceptible within weeks of surgery.
Subnasal Lip Lift (Bullhorn Lift)
The gold standard — most commonly performed by Dr. Kieu
The subnasal lip lift — named for the characteristic shape of the tissue excision — is the most widely performed and most reliably effective lip lift technique. A carefully designed strip of skin is removed from directly beneath the base of the nose, following the natural contours of the nostrils so that the resulting scar hides in the nasal-labial junction.
By removing a measured amount of skin in this location, the entire upper lip is lifted upward — shortening the philtrum, increasing tooth show, everting the vermilion border, and restoring Cupid's bow definition. The effect is proportional and permanent.
Dr. Kieu's incision design and closure technique are central to her reputation in this procedure. She uses precise measurements and anatomical landmarks to plan each excision individually — never applying a generic pattern — and closes with fine sutures using layered technique to minimize tension and produce the most discreet possible scar.
Best for:
- Patients with philtrum elongation (philtrum longer than ~14mm in women, ~16mm in men)
- Loss of upper tooth show at rest
- Flattened or rolled-in vermilion border
- Effaced Cupid's bow
- Those wanting the most reliable, predictable lip positional improvement
Corner Lip Lift (Commissuroplasty)
Addresses the downturned corners of the mouth
A separate but related procedure, the corner lip lift addresses the oral commissures — the corners of the mouth — when they have turned downward due to age or anatomy. Downturned corners give the face a resting expression that reads as sad, stern, or disapproving, even when the patient is entirely neutral in expression.
Dr. Kieu removes a small, precisely designed triangle of skin just above each corner of the mouth, elevating the commissure and restoring a more neutral — or subtly upturned — mouth corner position. The scars are placed at the vermilion-skin junction and fade reliably with proper healing.
Corner lip lift is frequently performed alongside the subnasal lift for patients who have both philtrum elongation and downturned commissures. It can also be performed as a standalone procedure for patients whose only concern is mouth corner position.
Best for:
- Downturned or sad-looking mouth corners at rest
- Marionette line accentuation caused by commissure descent
- Patients combining with subnasal lip lift for a comprehensive lip rejuvenation
- Younger patients with anatomically low commissures
Italian Lip Lift (Double Incision / Modified Subnasal)
For patients requiring greater lift with optimized scar placement
The Italian lip lift uses two smaller incisions placed beneath each nostril separately, rather than a single continuous excision spanning the full nasal base. By distributing the tissue removal across two discrete sites, this technique can produce a slightly more refined result in certain anatomical presentations — particularly in patients with a wider nose, those requiring a larger degree of lift, or those in whom scar distribution benefits from the divided approach.
The underlying goal is identical to the standard subnasal lift: philtrum shortening, vermilion eversion, and Cupid's bow restoration. Dr. Kieu determines whether the standard or Italian approach is optimal for each patient based on nasal base width, degree of lift required, and skin characteristics.
Best for:
- Patients requiring a larger degree of philtrum reduction
- Those with wider nasal bases where a modified incision pattern better follows anatomy
- Revision lip lift cases
Direct Lip Lift (Vermilion Advancement)
Targeted vermilion border refinement — scar placed at the lip border itself
The direct lip lift — also called a vermilion advancement — places the incision along the upper border of the vermilion itself, rather than at the base of the nose. A thin strip of skin is removed just above the pink lip border, advancing the vermilion upward and outward. Rather than shortening the philtrum from above, this technique directly increases the visible height of the upper lip and sharpens the vermilion-skin junction.
Because the scar sits at the lip border rather than beneath the nose, the direct lip lift is less commonly chosen by younger patients where scar visibility is a primary concern. However, it is a well-established and highly effective technique in the right context — particularly in older patients where the lip border has become indistinct or blurred with age, in patients who have already had a subnasal lift and want additional vermilion height, or in those for whom the anatomy does not favor a nasal-base approach.
When performed with precision, the scar at the vermilion border heals reliably well — the white roll of the lip border provides a natural camouflage line, and the scar typically fades to a fine, barely perceptible line within a few months. Dr. Kieu selects this technique selectively and counsels patients thoroughly on what to expect from the scar location before proceeding.
Best for:
- Patients with a blurred or indistinct upper vermilion border
- Those who have already had a subnasal lift and want further vermilion height
- Older patients in whom the lip border scar location is less of a concern
- Cases where nasal base anatomy makes a subnasal approach less ideal
Lip Lift vs. Lip Filler vs. V-to-Y Augmentation
The three primary approaches to upper lip enhancement address different anatomical concerns. Understanding the distinction allows patients and surgeons to choose — or combine — the right interventions.
Lip Lift
- Shortens the philtrum
- Restores tooth show
- Everts the vermilion border
- Defines the Cupid's bow
- Permanent, surgical
- Does not add volume
Lip Filler
- Adds volume to thin lips
- Can slightly evert border
- Cannot shorten the philtrum
- Cannot restore tooth show
- Temporary (6–18 months)
- No downtime
V-to-Y Augmentation
- Advances internal lip tissue
- Permanent volume & eversion
- No external scar
- Cannot shorten the philtrum
- Cannot restore tooth show
- Excellent for volume-first goals
Lip Lift + Filler/V-to-Y
- Addresses both position and volume
- Ideal for comprehensive rejuvenation
- Philtrum shortened + lip fuller
- Most complete upper lip result
- Can be done simultaneously
- Dr. Kieu's most common combination
The Procedure — What to Expect
Consultation
Dr. Kieu's lip lift consultation is unusually thorough. She measures the philtrum length, assesses tooth show at rest and in animation, evaluates the vermilion height, Cupid's bow definition, commissure position, and the relationship of the lip to the nose and chin. She reviews photographs and discusses the precise amount of lift that will produce a natural — never operated — result. For patients requesting excessive philtrum reduction, she counsels conservatively: over-lifting is far more difficult to correct than under-lifting.
For out-of-town patients, virtual consultations are available as an initial step. Many of Dr. Kieu's lip lift patients travel from out of state and internationally specifically to have the procedure performed by her.
Surgery
Lip lift is performed in-office or at an outpatient surgical facility under local anesthesia with oral sedation. General anesthesia is not required. The procedure takes 45–60 minutes. Prior to incision, Dr. Kieu uses precise measurements and marking to plan the excision. The skin is removed, the lip is advanced, and the closure is performed in layers with fine sutures that minimize tension on the final scar line.
Recovery
Swelling of the upper lip is expected and most pronounced in the first 48–72 hours — patients should anticipate looking more swollen than the final result will reflect. By day 5–7, sutures are removed. Most patients are comfortable returning to social settings by day 7–10, at which point swelling has reduced substantially and the incision line has closed. The scar softens and fades progressively over the following 2–3 months; in the majority of patients, it becomes nearly imperceptible at rest.
Patients should avoid significant lip animation (laughing, wide mouth opening) and sun exposure to the incision for the first 2–3 weeks.
Results
The lip lift result becomes fully visible as swelling resolves over the first 4–6 weeks. What patients consistently describe is not that they look like they had surgery — it is that they look like a younger, more rested version of themselves. The upper teeth show naturally at rest, the lip has definition and shape without appearing augmented, and the overall lower-face proportion is more balanced. Results are permanent. The philtrum does not re-elongate.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?
You may be an excellent candidate for lip lift surgery if you:
- Have a philtrum longer than approximately 13–14mm (women) or 15–16mm (men)
- Have lost upper tooth show at rest — your upper teeth are no longer visible when your mouth is relaxed
- Notice your upper vermilion has thinned, flattened, or rolled inward
- Have lost definition in your Cupid's bow
- Have tried filler and feel the result addresses volume but not position
- Want a permanent, low-maintenance result rather than ongoing maintenance treatments
- Are in good health, a non-smoker or willing to stop before surgery
- Have realistic expectations and understand the nature of the scar and recovery
Patients with a naturally short philtrum, or those whose primary concern is thin lips rather than philtrum length, may be better served by filler or V-to-Y augmentation. Dr. Kieu will make a specific recommendation at consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the scar be visible?
The scar from a lip lift sits at the base of the nose, tucked into the junction between the upper lip and the nasal sill — one of the most forgiving scar locations on the face. In the vast majority of Dr. Kieu's patients, the scar is essentially invisible at conversational distance by 8–12 weeks post-operatively. The precision of the incision design and closure technique are what determine scar outcome, which is why surgeon experience matters enormously for this procedure.
How much lift is the right amount?
This is one of the most important decisions in lip lift surgery, and one that requires a skilled and experienced eye. Dr. Kieu's guiding principle is that the result should look completely natural — a refreshed, younger version of the patient, not someone who has had their lip surgically altered. For most patients, this means a reduction of 3–6mm of philtrum length. She counsels firmly against over-lifting, which can distort the nasal base, pull the lip into an unnatural position, and is significantly more difficult to reverse than an under-lift.
Can a lip lift affect the shape of my nose?
When performed correctly, a lip lift should have minimal to no effect on the nose. However, because the incision is made at the nasal base, excessive tissue removal can widen the nostrils or alter the nasal sill — which is why conservative, anatomy-based excision planning is essential. Dr. Kieu's surgical training as a facial plastic and reconstructive specialist gives her an advanced understanding of how lip and nasal anatomy interact, and she plans each lift to preserve nasal appearance.
Can a lip lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes — and this is very common in Dr. Kieu's practice. Lip lift combines naturally with filler or V-to-Y augmentation (for patients who want both improved position and additional volume), rhinoplasty (for patients addressing both the nose and lip in one surgical visit), facelift, and blepharoplasty. Combining procedures extends the operative time but does not significantly increase recovery for most patients.
Is a lip lift painful?
Discomfort is typically mild. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation, and patients are comfortable throughout. Post-operatively, the most common complaint is tightness and sensitivity around the upper lip rather than significant pain. Most patients manage with over-the-counter pain relief after the first day.
How is a lip lift different from lip filler?
Filler adds volume — it makes lips fuller and can slightly evert the border, but it cannot shorten a long philtrum, restore upper tooth show, or permanently alter lip position. A lip lift addresses the structural position of the lip. Many patients use filler for years before realizing their dissatisfaction isn't about volume — it's about the distance between their nose and lip. Once that is corrected with a lip lift, filler can then be used sparingly for additional refinement if desired.
Can men have a lip lift?
Yes. Lip lift surgery is performed on male patients as well, though the aesthetic goals and ideal proportions differ. Men typically have a naturally longer philtrum than women, and the degree of acceptable lift is more conservative to maintain masculine facial proportions. Dr. Kieu is experienced in male lip lift and tailors her approach accordingly.
What is the cost of a lip lift in Newport Beach or Beverly Hills?
Pricing is determined by the technique selected, whether additional procedures are performed concurrently, and facility and anesthesia fees. Dr. Kieu's team will provide a personalized quote during or following your consultation. Financing options are available.
Do you see patients traveling from out of state or internationally?
Yes. A significant portion of Dr. Kieu's lip lift patients travel specifically to Newport Beach or Beverly Hills for their surgery. Virtual consultations are available for initial evaluation, and Dr. Kieu's team is experienced in coordinating care for out-of-town patients to make the process as seamless as possible.
The lip lift is one of the most transformative procedures in facial plastic surgery — and one that Dr. Kieu has devoted years to perfecting. If you're ready to discuss what's possible for your lip, we'd welcome the conversation.
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