What is a lip lift?
A lip lift is a short operation that reduces the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip, an area known as the philtrum. When this space is long, the upper lip can look thin, flat or hidden, and little or no upper teeth show when the mouth is relaxed.
By removing a narrow strip of skin just below the nose, the surgeon lifts the lip upwards and slightly outwards. More of the pink part of the lip, the vermilion, is then on show, the outline of the lip becomes sharper and the upper lip looks fuller without filler. The change is permanent.
Who is a lip lift suitable for?
A lip lift may suit you if you are in good general health and you have:
- A long upper lip compared with the rest of your face
- A thin upper lip that shows little of the pink lip
- An upper lip that curls inwards or turns down at the corners
- A lip that has lengthened and flattened with age
- Little or no upper tooth show when your mouth is relaxed
It is less suitable if the distance between your nose and lip is already short, or if you only want more volume, in which case filler or fat transfer may be better. Smokers need to stop well before and after surgery.
Techniques
Subnasal or bullhorn lip lift
The most common approach. Skin is removed from just under the nose in a shape that resembles a bull's horns, and the scar sits in the natural crease at the base of the nose.
Corner lip lift
Small amounts of skin are removed at the corners of the mouth to lift a downturned look. It is sometimes combined with a subnasal lift.
Your surgeon will recommend the approach that suits the shape of your lip and your goals.
How the procedure is done
A lip lift can be done under local anaesthetic or general anaesthesia and takes about an hour.
Tests and planning
You come to the hospital the day before surgery for tests. The surgeon measures your face, discusses your goals and draws the planned lip shape and the skin to be removed.
Removing the skin
The surgeon removes a carefully measured strip of skin along the base of the nose.
Lifting the lip
The lip is lifted and secured with deeper stitches so the result holds and there is little tension on the skin.
Closing
The skin is closed with very fine stitches that follow the natural crease under the nose.
Recovery timeline
- First 24 hours
Rest with your head raised. Your upper lip will feel tight and swollen, and you may have discomfort around the lip and nose.
- Days 2–3
Swelling and pain usually peak and then begin to ease. Eat soft food and avoid stretching your mouth widely.
- Days 5–7
Skin stitches are usually removed. Most swelling and soreness have settled by the end of the first week.
- Weeks 2–4
The scar is pink but can often be covered with make-up. Your lip begins to feel more natural when you speak and smile.
- Months 3–6
The lip settles into its final shape and the scar continues to fade.
Aftercare
To help the incision heal neatly, your surgeon will usually ask you to:
- Rest for the first 24 hours
- Apply the prescribed antibiotic ointment to the incision
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 to 3 weeks
- Avoid smoking for at least a month
- Sleep on your back and do not lie face down for about a month
- Protect your lip from knocks and from sun exposure
- Check every medicine and supplement with your coordinator, as aspirin and ibuprofen can increase bleeding
Before surgery, stop smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs about a month in advance and tell your coordinator about any medicines you take.
Risks and side effects
A lip lift is usually a straightforward operation with a comfortable recovery, but every surgery carries risks. Your surgeon will explain them before you consent. They include:
- Bleeding or a collection of blood (haematoma)
- Infection
- A visible, widened or raised scar
- Asymmetry
- Temporary numbness or stiffness of the upper lip
- Pain or discolouration
- A change that is smaller or larger than expected
- A reaction to the anaesthetic
Removing too much skin can make it hard to close the lips fully, which is why surgeons are cautious with the amount they take.
Results
You will notice a change in shape straight away, but swelling hides the final result for a few weeks. Most patients find their lip looks fuller, more defined and better proportioned to the nose and chin. Because skin is removed rather than filled, the result is long-lasting, although the lip will continue to age naturally.
Lip lift in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send front and side photos of your face and your medical history. The surgeon reviews them and our team sends you a treatment plan and price.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport. A translator stays with you through tests, consultation and discharge. After surgery you rest in hospital and have your stitches checked before you leave. A companion can stay with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp, follows your healing through photos and passes any questions to the surgical team.
What the Lip Lift package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Lip Lift FAQ
Will the scar be visible?
The incision is hidden in the natural shadow where the nose meets the lip. It is pink for a few weeks and then usually fades to a fine line that is hard to see. Scar quality varies between people, and careful sun protection helps it fade.
Is a lip lift better than lip filler?
They do different things. Filler adds volume to the lip, while a lip lift changes its position and shows more of the pink lip without adding bulk. Results from a lip lift are permanent, whereas filler is gradually broken down by the body. Some patients have both.
How much will my lip be lifted?
Usually only a few millimetres are removed, as small changes make a noticeable difference to the lip. Your surgeon measures your face and marks a plan with you before surgery so the result looks natural and still lets you close your lips comfortably.
Will I still be able to show my teeth naturally?
A lip lift shows a little more of your upper teeth at rest, which many people find youthful. Your surgeon will take your current tooth show into account so that the result does not look exaggerated.
When will the stitches come out?
Skin stitches are usually removed after about 5 to 7 days, often before you fly home. Dissolvable stitches beneath the skin disappear on their own.
When can I go back to work?
Many patients return to desk work after about a week. Swelling and redness may still be visible for one to two weeks, so plan social events with this in mind.
How long should I stay in Istanbul?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. This covers tests, surgery, rest and stitch removal before your flight.
