Lip Lift Facial Plastic Surgeon

Does your upper lip appear thin, inverted, or flattened? Is the distance between your nose and your upper lip too long? Does your upper lip hide your teeth when you smile? Perhaps your upper lip looks too heavy in relation to your lower lip, or the effects of aging have caused your lips to lose fullness over time. Whatever the underlying concern, a lip lift has become one of the most trusted lip procedures for restoring and refreshing the appearance of the upper lip — and it produces more permanent, structurally meaningful results than lip augmentation or lip injections.

A lip lift produces results that no amount of filler can replicate — by removing excess upper lip skin, the procedure permanently alters the proportion of the upper lip and the distance to the nose. Dr. Maurice Khosh’s published expertise on the lip and perioral region directly informs this work. Author of “Lip Reconstruction” — a published chapter through McGraw Hill on the surgical anatomy and aesthetic principles of the lip and perioral region — Dr. Khosh is dual board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), he has been recognized as a perennial Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Lip Lift Techniques: Sub-Nasale and Lip Roll Methods

A lip lift involves removing a small, precisely measured amount of skin from the upper lip to shorten its vertical length and reveal more of the colored lip (vermillion). Several techniques can accomplish this, each suited to different patient anatomies and goals:

• Sub-Nasale (Bullhorn) Lip Lift: A small incision is made beneath the nose where it meets the upper lip, hidden in the natural shadow of the nasal base; the most common modern approach because the incision is virtually invisible once healed
• Lip Roll Method: A small incision is made along the border of the upper lip (the vermillion border), allowing direct shortening of the lip itself and increased eversion of the colored lip
• Corner Lip Lift: Targets the corners of the mouth rather than the central upper lip, designed for patients whose mouth corners turn downward, producing a permanent frown appearance
• Combination Approaches: For patients with multiple concerns, two techniques can be performed together for a more comprehensive result

What a Lip Lift Can Accomplish

A successful lip lift can produce several specific aesthetic improvements:

• A More Sensuous, Defined Mouth and Lip Shape: Restored definition to the natural lip contour
• Reduced Distance from Nose to Vermillion: Shortened upper-lip-to-nose length for a more youthful proportion
• Improved Visibility of the Upper Teeth: A more natural reveal of the teeth when smiling and at rest
• A Fuller, More Voluptuous Upper Lip: Visible eversion of the lip border for a fuller appearance
• Upper Lip Eversion: The colored part of the lip rolls upward and outward, becoming more prominent
• Rejuvenation of the Upper Lip and Mid-Face: A subtle but meaningful refreshing of the perioral region
• Reduced Need for Filler Injection: Most patients require less filler — or no filler at all — after a lip lift

Corner Lip Lift Surgery for Downturned Mouth Corners

While an upper lip lift shortens the distance between the upper lip and the nose, a corner lip lift addresses the corners of the mouth specifically. This procedure is designed for patients whose mouth corners have descended over time — producing a permanently sad, tired, or frowning expression even when the patient is neutral or happy. The corner lip lift removes a small triangle of skin just beyond each mouth corner, elevating the corner subtly and softening the downturned appearance. Because the technique is minimally invasive and versatile, patients benefit from a variety of approaches tailored to their specific concerns.

“A lip lift addresses a fundamentally different problem than lip filler. Filler adds volume to an existing lip; a lip lift changes the proportions of the lip itself — making the upper lip appear shorter, more youthful, and more defined. For patients whose concern is a long upper lip or hidden upper teeth, no amount of filler will produce what a properly performed lip lift can. Knowing which procedure is right for which patient is most of the conversation.” — Dr. Maurice Khosh

Lip Lift Recovery: What to Expect

A lip lift is typically performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Khosh’s Park Avenue office. The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the technique selected. Patients return home the same day with detailed care instructions. Most experience mild swelling and minor bruising in the upper lip area for one to two weeks, with the most significant swelling resolving within the first week. Sutures are typically removed within five to seven days. The incision — placed in the natural shadow at the base of the nose — fades to a virtually invisible line over the following several months. Most patients return to work and social activities within five to seven days.

Why Choose Dr. Khosh for Lip Lift Surgery

• Published Perioral Expertise: Author of “Lip Reconstruction” through McGraw Hill on the surgical anatomy of the lip and perioral region
• Multiple Technique Options: Sub-nasale, lip roll, corner lip lift, and combination approaches available
• Office-Based Procedure: Performed under local anesthesia with same-day return home
• Honest Consultation: Realistic discussion of whether a lip lift, filler, or combination is the right approach for each patient
• Dual Board Certification: Combined facial plastic and head and neck surgery expertise
• Park Avenue Convenience: Private Upper East Side practice serving patients from across Manhattan and the tri-state area

Schedule Your Lip Lift Consultation in NYC

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your upper lip and wondering whether a lip lift is right for you, the first step is an evaluation of your individual lip anatomy and a discussion of which technique will produce your desired result. Whether you’re in Brooklyn or on the Upper East Side, Dr. Khosh welcomes your call at his Park Avenue office. To learn more about cosmetic lip enhancement surgery or to schedule a private consultation, contact Dr. Khosh today, or call (212) 339-9988.