Most people who come to see me about their lips are not thinking about anatomy. They want a fuller, more prominent upper lip, and they usually assume fillers or implants are the only way to get there. Both add volume, but they are not the only options. A lip lift is a quieter, lesser-known approach that reshapes the lip itself using your own tissue, with permanent results and nothing added to your body. Once people start looking into it, they find that there are several lip lift types to choose from, each suited to a slightly different goal.
I am Dr. Joanna Kam, a board certified otolaryngologist and board certified facial plastic surgeon at Kam Facial Plastic Surgery in Sewell and Voorhees Township, NJ. After completing my facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, I focus on face and neck surgeries only. That narrow focus matters with a procedure like this one, where a few millimeters of skin can shift the whole balance of your smile.
Lip Lift Types at a Glance
- A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip so more of your natural red lip shows.
- The main types of lip lifts include the bullhorn, Italian, corner, and gullwing techniques.
- The right type depends on your anatomy, your lip shape, and your aesthetic goals.
- A lip lift adds the look of fullness without fillers or implants, and the results are permanent.
- A consultation with a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon is the best way to find your right type.
What Does a Lip Lift Actually Change?
A lip lift is a small surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip. As we age, that space tends to lengthen, and the pink part of the lip slowly rolls into the mouth and shows less. By removing a thin strip of skin and lifting the lip into a slightly higher position, the procedure reveals more of the natural red lip and often lets your upper teeth peek through when you smile.
What I like about this surgery is how natural it looks. There is no product added to the mouth and nothing needs topping up, since you are working with your own tissue to restore a more youthful shape. The change is subtle, but a better balance between the nose, lip, and teeth tends to read as rested rather than obviously done.
The Most Common Types of Lip Lift
There is no “one size fits all” lip lift. There are several techniques, and part of my job is matching the right one to your face. Here are the types that are discussed most often:
Bullhorn Lip Lift
The bullhorn lip lift, also called the subnasal lift, is the most common option. I make a single incision shaped like a bullhorn tucked into the crease at the base of the nose, then gently lift the center and sides of the upper lip. The subnasal placement means the scar hides along the bottom of the nose, where it is easy to overlook. For many patients this bullhorn lift gives the most reliable improvement in lip show and overall shape.
Italian Lip Lift
The Italian lip lift is a more subtle cousin of the bullhorn lift. Instead of one continuous incision, it uses two small incisions set at the base of each nostril. This technique lifts the sides of the upper lip while leaving the center as it is, so it suits people who want a gentle change rather than a dramatic one.
Corner Lip Lift
The corner lip lift, sometimes called the grin lift, targets the downturned corners of the mouth. I make two small incisions at the corners and remove a tiny strip of skin to turn slightly downturned corners upward. This is a nice option for people who feel their mouth looks tired or frowning at rest. The corner lift can stand alone, or I can pair the corner lip lift with another technique to lift the whole upper lip at once.
Gullwing Lip Lift
The gullwing lip lift, also known as the direct lip lift, follows the border of the upper lip in a shape that resembles a flying seagull. Because the direct lip approach works right along the lip line, it can create a more defined, sharper top lip. The trade-off is that the incision sits on the lip border, so I reserve this technique for the right candidate and skin type..
patient results
* All patients are unique and individual results may vary.
Which Lip Lift Is Right for You?
The right type comes down to your anatomy, your lip shape, and what bothers you when you look in the mirror. If your upper lip is long and your teeth stay hidden when you smile, a bullhorn technique often makes sense. If your concern is downturned corners, a corner lift may be the better fit, and many faces benefit from a thoughtful combination.
During your consultation I measure the distance between your nose and lip, look at how much tooth shows when you talk and smile, and study how your lips sit against the rest of your face. From there I can recommend the technique, or blend of techniques, that fits your goals without overdoing it.
How Recovery Usually Goes
Recovery is fairly similar across these techniques, which is worth knowing while you choose. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia and takes around forty-five minutes to an hour. Most people have mild swelling and tightness for the first several days, with the bulk of it easing within one to two weeks. Soft foods, no straws for a while, and gentle care around the incisions help things settle, and most of my patients are back to their normal routine within about a week.
Lip Lift or Lip Fillers, Which Do You Need?
This is one of the most common questions I hear. The two are not competing for the same job. Lip fillers add temporary volume to the body of the lip, and the effect fades over months as the product breaks down. A lip lift does something different. It changes the proportions of the lower face by shortening the upper lip and showing more of what you already have, and the results are permanent.
If your main wish is a plumper pout for a season, filler may be all you need. If a long upper lip, hidden teeth, or a tired-looking mouth is the real issue, no amount of filler will fix the underlying length, and a lift is the better anatomic solution.
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Choosing the Lip Lift Surgeon Matters
A lip lift looks simple on paper, but the margin for error is small. A millimeter too much, a scar placed a hair off, or a technique that does not suit your anatomy can show on a part of the face people look at constantly. That is why the surgeon you choose matters as much as the technique itself.
Look for a facial plastic surgeon who performs these procedures regularly, who can show you real before and after results, and who explains why a given technique fits your face. You should leave the consultation feeling like the plan was made for you, not pulled off a shelf. Good outcomes come from careful planning, precise incisions, and an eye trained specifically on the face.
Schedule Your Lip Lift Consultation in Sewell or Voorhees Township, NJ
Call our Sewell or Voorhees Township office to book your lip lift consultation to assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend a tailored treatment plan designed to create beautiful, natural-looking results.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Dr. Joanna Kam is a board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon at Kam Facial Plastic Surgery, with offices in Sewell and Voorhees Township, NJ. She completed her facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and focuses exclusively on the face and neck.
Known for natural-looking results and a patient-first approach, she helps each person choose the technique that fits their anatomy and goals.
