It’s not uncommon for our lips to naturally reduce in size beginning in our late 20s. This is when the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in our bodies begins to slow down, and our once voluptuous and well-defined lips lose their volume and definition.
Even if you’re not a smoker, you’ve cut back on the booze, and you’ve stayed out of the sun, lips naturally gain vertical length and appear aged as you get older, allowing less tooth to show when you smile.
Thankfully, there are many safe and effective non-invasive surgical treatments and fillers to enhance our lips, restoring youth and beauty. Read on to learn more about the subtle yet rejuvenating and aesthetic sub nasal lip lift that plumps and defines your upper lip while diminishing nearby perioral lines and wrinkles.
What is a lip lift?
There are several types of lip lifts, but the sub nasal lift is the most common lip lifting procedure at the practice of board-certified Dr. Gilbert who specializes in facial, head, and neck treatments for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. The subnasal lift reduces the distance between the upper lip and the bottom of the nose while elevating the top portion of the lip.
How is a subnasal lift performed?
If you’re not pairing your lip lift with other procedures, only local anesthesia is needed to numb the area. The facial cosmetic surgeon then makes a small incision in the natural crease between the nose and lip. Next, the surgeon trims a small, curved strip of skin to lift the lip area and closes the wound with stitches, some of which dissolve on their own while others will need to be removed 5-7 days later.
How long does a subnasal lift take?
If you’re not having any other treatments done so you’re not undergoing IV sedation or general anesthesia, a subnasal lip lift is a minor outpatient procedure that takes about 30 minutes.
How much time will I need to take off work?
The procedure may be quick, but the recovery takes a bit of time. Our patients don’t usually return to work for about a week following the treatment, at which time the stitches are removed, and any bruising has disappeared.
What else do I need to know about the aftercare?
You’ll want to wait about a week to return to any strenuous activity, but light exercise, such as taking a walk the day after surgery, will help to reduce swelling and any discomfort. Avoid doing anything that puts pressure on the lip and nasal area for a couple of weeks.
Am I a good candidate for a lip lift?
Anyone who would like to plump up their upper lip is a good candidate for a lip lift. Scheduling an appointment in which the facial cosmetic surgeon can assess your overall health as well as your facial anatomy and goals for your lips is the first step to take in your lip enhancement journey.
What other procedures do patients combine with a lip lift?
The sky’s the limit! Facial surgeries and cosmetic treatments that can be combined with a subnasal lip lift range from facelifts and connective tissue grafts to lip augmentations and fillers. For example, further volume can be augmented with injectable fillers if desired. During your consultation, a comprehensive treatment plan will be established.