Lip surgery reshapes the lips to suit the face. A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip; augmentation adds fullness with fillers, fat or implants; and reduction trims large or uneven lips. These procedures help people with a long upper lip, hidden upper teeth, thin or sunken lips, or overly large lips.
- AnaesthesiaTopical or local; general for some implant or reduction cases
- DurationMinutes for fillers; about 1 hour for a lip lift
- Hospital stayUsually outpatient or day care
- Back to routineUsually 1 day (fillers) to about 10 days (surgery)
What is lip lift, lip augmentation and lip reduction?
Well-proportioned lips usually sit about 1.1 cm below the nose, with a defined cupid's bow and some fullness. A lip lift reduces the distance between the upper lip and nose to give a more youthful smile; a corner lift raises the corners of the mouth to reduce a downturned look.
Lip augmentation enlarges and reshapes normal lips to suit the nose, teeth and facial structure. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last around six months or longer. Fat transferred from the thighs can give longer-lasting results but may change with weight. Implants can be placed through small incisions at the mouth corners.
Lip reduction resizes large or asymmetrical lips, which may be present from birth or follow injury or previous augmentation. A 'bikini' excision removes a two-lobed strip from the upper lip and a small triangle from the lower lip, usually from the inside so scars are hidden.
Who is lip lift, lip augmentation and lip reduction for?
- Lip lift: more than about 1.1 cm between nose and upper lip, upper teeth not visible at rest, or a downturned mouth
- Augmentation: healthy people with thin or sunken lips
- Reduction: overly large or uneven lips, including after previous augmentation
- Not suitable during active cold sores or facial skin disease
- Augmentation is not advised with lip scarring, clotting problems or conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or lupus
How is it done?
- Discuss medical history and medicines; stop aspirin-type drugs as advised and stop smoking one week before and two weeks after
- Lip lift: about an hour under local anaesthesia through an incision beneath the nose or along the lip border; dissolvable sutures for corner lifts
- Augmentation: topical anaesthesia with filler injections, fat grafting, or implants inserted at the mouth corners; ice applied afterwards
- Reduction: a thin strip of tissue is removed from the inner lip and sutured; both lips can be treated together
What is recovery like?
- Lip lift: bruising and discomfort are usually minimal and settle in 7 to 10 days; final shape in 2 to 3 weeks
- Fillers: home the same day, with minor swelling for about a week; results visible immediately
- Fat transfer: recovery usually about one to two weeks; implant sutures removed at about 10 days
- Reduction: swelling typically settles over 1 to 2 weeks; avoid acidic foods, sleep with two pillows for two weeks, resume normal activity after about 10 days
- Reduction: avoid strenuous exercise for up to two months; final result typically at 3 to 4 months
What are the risks?
- Swelling, bruising and temporary numbness or stiffness
- Bleeding (uncommon) and infection, treated with antibiotics
- Lumps, asymmetry or discomfort at the treated or fat donor site
- Rarely, raised or keloid scarring after a lip lift, which can be treated
- Allergic reaction to anaesthesia or filler material
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
How long do lip fillers last?
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last around six months or longer, depending on the product, the amount used and individual metabolism. Fat transfer can last longer but may change with weight gain or loss. Top-up treatments are commonly needed to maintain filler results.
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?
A lip lift suits people with a long upper lip, usually more than about 1.1 cm from the nose, whose upper teeth do not show at rest, or whose mouth corners turn down. It should not be done during active cold sores or facial skin disorders.
Will a lip lift leave a scar?
The incision is placed just beneath the nose or along the lip border, where it usually blends with natural contours as it heals. Scars typically fade over months. Rarely, a raised or keloid scar can form, which can be treated.
What is the recovery after lip reduction?
Swelling is the main concern and usually settles over one to two weeks. Avoid acidic foods, sleep with two pillows for the first two weeks, and return to normal activities after about 10 days. Strenuous exercise is usually avoided for up to two months; the final result appears at 3 to 4 months.
Can lip reduction be done on both lips at once?
Yes. A thin strip of tissue can be removed from the inside of both upper and lower lips in a single procedure. Because the incisions are inside the mouth, scars are generally not visible on the outside.
