Lip Lift Question:
I am considering a lip lift, but I can’t tell if I would benefit from one. Also, if I do get a lip lift, how do I avoid my lip being too short afterwards?
Lip Lift Answer:
You can try a “do-it-yourself” test at home with a small ruler.
If your white lip – as measured from the base of the nose to the mid-upper lip – is 15 mm, you may benefit from a lip lift. The change would be 3-4 mm, subtle, but for a young person, that may be all you need.
If your lip measures 20 mm or longer, your lip is close to double what it was when you were young. In this case, you can definitely benefit from a lip lift.
To avoid having your lip end up too short after a lip lift, your surgeon should preserve at least 75% of your lip. For instance, if your lip is 20 mm long, a 5 mm reduction is appropriate.
Right before surgery, I always mark the lip reduction based on precise measurements and on the “look” the patient and I discussed during their consultation. Then, I show my markings to my patient. This way, together we can adjust the lip reduction precisely to meet the goal of the patient.
If you are considering a lip lift or some other lip rejuvenation, consult a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. If your surgeon recommends a radical lip reduction or more than you have in mind, get a second opinion. With this operation, more can always be removed, but once a lip is too short, there is nothing that can be done.