If you have naturally flat or thin lips, or just wish your lips were fuller, sexier, and more volumized, you may have tried using makeup and injectable fillers to enhance and define the shape of your mouth. However, for those who want a more permanent solution to attain the perfect pout, lip lift surgery is becoming an increasingly popular alternative.
Lip Lift vs. Lip Fillers
As the lip craze has continued to evolve, so have your options for creating plumper lips. In years past, the trend was focused specifically on achieving a swollen, bee-stung look in both the upper and lower lips.
In contrast, the current focus has shifted to be less about volume and more about providing greater nuance in the overall anatomy of the lips. Thanks to this progression, lip lift surgeries are riding a wave of popularity because they offer a highly customizable approach to redefining the outline of the lips.
What’s the difference between a lip lift and lip fillers? The goal of lip fillers is to create lush, voluminous lips. You can choose to get fillers in your upper lip, lower lip, or both, and the amount of enhancement you choose to get can be understated or dramatic. The results of lip fillers are also not permanent — they will fade away gradually as your body absorbs the filler gel.
Meanwhile, a lip lift is a permanent surgical procedure designed to affect the upper lip only. The technique subtly shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip, giving the upper lip an upturned, heightened appearance.
The Lip Lift Procedure
A lip lift surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately one to two hours to perform. With this technique, Dr. Schmidt will begin by making a small incision in the natural skin crease below the nose. He will then lift and reposition the lip tissue and trim away excess skin.
The most common side effect of a lip lift surgery is swelling, so you will need to plan to take at least a week of time off work for recovery. However, since the procedure is minimally invasive, most patients can resume their typical daily activities shortly after returning home from surgery. You’ll be able to enjoy a smooth healing process without too much discomfort, as long as you follow all your post-surgical instructions carefully.
Lip Lifts in Denver, CO
If your goal is to achieve a more prominent Cupid’s bow or to reduce asymmetries in your upper lip, a lip lift procedure may be ideal for you. Lip lifts are also an excellent anti-aging solution for older patients whose mouth has gradually moved away from their nose due to age-related changes in their skin’s elasticity and support structure.
If, however, you are still evaluating your options and are not ready to make any permanent changes to your mouth yet, you may be a better candidate for lip fillers.
During your confidential consultation, Dr. Schmidt will evaluate your needs and goals to determine which option is better for you. As a leading board-certified surgeon in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Schmidt has dedicated his career to providing his patients with all the benefits of his extensive training and hands-on experience in facial anatomy. Contact our clinic to schedule a lip lift consultation.