The Aging Lips
As we age, several changes occur in the lips and surrounding areas due to the natural aging process, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits. These changes include:
• Loss of Volume: Over time, lips naturally lose their volume and plumpness. This is primarily due to a decrease in collagen production, a protein responsible for maintaining the skin's elasticity and fullness.
• Formation of Wrinkles and Lines: Aging skin loses its elasticity and the ability to retain moisture, leading to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, often referred to as "lipstick lines" or "smoker's lines".
• Decreased Definition: The borders of the lips, particularly the Cupid’s bow (the double curve of the upper lip), can become less defined with age, resulting in a less distinct lip shape.
• Lengthening of the Philtrum: The philtrum, or the area between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip, can elongate over time, causing the upper lip to appear thinner and less youthful.
• Changes in Lip Color: Lips can lose their natural pink or red color, becoming paler or even purplish with age.
• Dryness and Cracking: Aging skin produces less natural oil, which can lead to dryness and cracking of the lips. These changes can be addressed through various cosmetic procedures and treatments, such as lip fillers, lip lifts, and proper skincare routines.
Why Consider a Lip Lift?
Lip lift surgery can be a game-changer in creating a youthful appearance for the appropriate patient. As time marches on, our facial features, including our lips, undergo changes. The ideal distance between nose and upper lip is 13-15mm. The natural aging process leads to an increase in this distance and a loss of volume in the upper lip. Lip lift surgery is a surgical procedure that restores the shape and fullness of your lips by lifting the upper lip to create a more youthful and defined appearance. It is a fantastic option for those looking to restore and enhance the appearance of their upper lip.
• Natural and Permanent Results: Unlike fillers, a lip lift provides permanent results.
• Youthful Contour: Restores the youthful curve of the upper lip, enhancing facial harmony.
• Minimal Downtime: Quick recovery and minimal downtime make it a convenient option.
Who is a good Candidate for a Lip Lift?
A lip lift can be advantageous for both younger and older patients. For younger individuals, it is often used to prevent the overly artificial look that can result from fillers, as not all lips respond well to fillers. The lift enhances the upper lip by providing a more defined appearance, increased volume, and increasing upper tooth show.
Ideal candidates for a lip lift are individuals who:
• Desire a more defined and fuller upper lip
• Have a long distance between the nose and the upper lip
• Are in good general health
• Have realistic expectations about the outcomes
Risks of Lip Lift Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, a lip lift carries some risks, including swelling, bruising, scarring, and infection. Our skilled surgeons take every precaution to minimize these risks and ensure a smooth recovery process.
Types of Lip Lift Procedures
There is not a necessarily “best technique” for lip lift surgery, Dr. Costeloe will discuss your goals with you and choose the best lip lift or augmentation surgery for your specific goals and anatomy. Here is a brief and simplified summary:
• Corner Lip lift: focuses on lifting the corners of the mouth for a subtle enhancement.
• Modified Subnasal Lip Lift (also known as Bullhorn Lip lift): best for patients with a long upper lip (increased distance between nasal tip and upper lip) and with less pink lip show.
• Cupid's Bow Lift - changes the shape of the upper lip cupid's bow
• Direct Lip Lift - involves removing a small strip of skin directly above the lip.
These procedures can be done in combination to address multiple concerns.
How is a Lip Lift Performed?
A lip lift is typically performed under local anesthesia. The chosen technique involves carefully removing excess skin and tissue to elevate the lip, followed by precise suturing to ensure minimal scarring and optimal results.
Healing Time for an Upper Lip Lift
Recovery from a lip lift generally takes about 1-2 weeks. Sutures are removed on day 5-7 after surgery. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising, which typically subsides within this period. Most individuals can return to normal activities within a week, though full healing may take a few months.
Will an Upper Lip Lift Change My Smile?
An upper lip lift is designed to enhance your smile by providing a more youthful and natural appearance. While it may subtly alter the dynamics of your smile, it typically enhances the overall aesthetic.
Will an Upper Lip Lift Widen My Nose?
A properly performed lip lift should not significantly affect the width of your nose. Our surgeons use meticulous techniques to ensure that the natural proportions of your face are maintained.
Do I need to dissolve my fillers prior to a lip lift?
For patients with filler that has migrated above the vermillion border, we typically recommend dissolving the filler in that area at least a week before the procedure, ideally 2 weeks prior to surgery. If there is a small amount of filler within the pink part of the lip it does not need to be dissolved.
Lip Reduction Surgery
What is Lip Reduction Surgery?
Lip reduction surgery is designed to reduce the size and volume of one or both lips, creating a more balanced and harmonious facial appearance. This procedure is ideal for those who feel their lips are disproportionately large.
Who is a Candidate for Lip Reduction?
Candidates for lip reduction include individuals who:
Are unhappy with the size or shape of their lips
Have lips that are disproportionately large compared to other facial features
Are in good health and have realistic expectations
How is Lip Reduction Done?
Lip reduction is performed under local anesthesia or light sedation. The surgeon makes an incision on the inside of the lip to remove excess tissue, then carefully sutures the area to achieve a smaller, more proportionate appearance.
Schedule a Consultation
With Dr. Costeloe’s extensive experience in facial surgery, she has an in-depth knowledge of facial aesthetics and the way the lip ages. If you are considering lip surgery and would like to learn more about your options, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you achieve the beautiful results you desire.
