Search
Looking to achieve fuller lips but tired of having to get filler every few months? Afraid of needles? Not satisfied with lumpy lip results? If you answered yes, then a lip lift procedure may be worth considering.
Yet no cosmetic procedure is without potential side effects, and the cost of lip lift surgery can be considerable. Here’s what you need to know about this popular procedure.
What Is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a surgical procedure where a portion of skin between the upper lip and nose is removed, thereby shortening what is known as the philtral distance. By removing this skin, the upper lip can be lifted, making the lips appear fuller.1
Benefits
A lip lift procedure offers several benefits for patients looking to enhance their lips:2
- Creates a fuller, more youthful-looking lip
- Increases the exposed portion of the upper lip
- Can address a “gummy” smile
- Can remove above-the-lip wrinkles
- Can provide more natural results compared to fillers
- Is a more permanent lip enhancement solution compared to fillers
While a number of treatments are designed to enhance lip fullness — including lip filler, a lip flip and lip implants — for some, a lip lift may help achieve their desired goals.
Types of Lip Lifts
There are many variations of the lip lift procedure based on the desired outcomes:3
Bullhorn or subnasal lip lift
One of the most common lip lift procedures, the bullhorn or subnasal lift is designed to increase lip fullness. In this procedure, a strip of skin under the nose and around each nostril is removed. The sutured skin is lifted upward and inward, revealing more tissue of the inner upper lip and creating additional lip fullness. This procedure is popular because it allows the scar to be hidden under the folds of the nostril.
Central lip lift
For those looking to enhance the cupid’s bow of the lips, a central lip lift removes a strip of central skin in the philtrum, the area between the upper lips and the bottom of the nose. This procedure produces a more dramatic and pronounced cupid’s bow but doesn’t add lift or volume to the sides of the lips.
Corner lip lift
The goal of a corner lip lift, also known as an outer lip lift or a grin lip lift, is to raise the corners of the mouth. The procedure involves making small, triangular incisions at the corners of the upper lips and removing a small amount of skin. The resulting sutures help to lift the corners of the lips, minimizing the appearance of a downturned mouth.
Direct lip lift
The direct lip lift, or gull-wing lip lift, creates a more defined upper lip by making an incision along the upper lip line and removing a section of skin. Suturing the incision closed raises the upper lip, revealing more lip tissue. However, the scar from this procedure may be more visible than others.
Italian lip lift
Similar to a bullhorn lift, an Italian lip lift makes incisions and removes a small strip of skin under the nose, but only under the nostrils, not under the center of the nose. This results in raising just the sides of the lips, which can help balance out lip asymmetry since the amount of change can be adjusted independently for each side.
V-Y lip lift
A V-Y lip lift can add fullness to the upper and/or lower lips. Unlike other lip enhancement procedures, a V-Y lift is performed inside the mouth, leaving no external scarring. A small V-shaped incision is made on the inside of the upper or lower lip. The surgeon then lifts the inner lip tissue upward and outward, closing the incision with a Y-shaped suture, creating permanent fullness and volume.4
How Much Does a Lip Lift Cost?
The national average cost* of a lip lift is $3,126 but can range from $2,409 to $6,144, depending on the type of procedure, surgeon’s experience and geographic location. This doesn't include costs for anesthesia, the surgery facility and related expenses.5
Always consult with your plastic surgeon's office to determine your actual expenses.
Average lip lift cost by state/district
Here is a breakdown of the average cost* of different lip lift procedures by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.5
| State/District | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,701 |
| Alaska | $3,775 |
| Arizona | $3,162 |
| Arkansas | $2,671 |
| California | $3,911 |
| Colorado | $3,166 |
| Connecticut | $3,303 |
| Delaware | $3,119 |
| District of Columbia | $4,193 |
| Florida | $3,135 |
| Georgia | $2,841 |
| Hawaii | $4,909 |
| Idaho | $3,193 |
| Illinois | $2,965 |
| Indiana | $2,747 |
| Iowa | $2,741 |
| Kansas | $2,717 |
| Kentucky | $2,838 |
| Louisiana | $2,861 |
| Maine | $3,223 |
| Maryland | $3,524 |
| Massachusetts | $3,838 |
| Michigan | $2,861 |
| Minnesota | $2,958 |
| Mississippi | $2,687 |
| Missouri | $2,727 |
| Montana | $3,109 |
| Nebraska | $2,788 |
| Nevada | $3,072 |
| New Hampshire | $3,259 |
| New Jersey | $3,467 |
| New Mexico | $2,834 |
| New York | $3,300 |
| North Carolina | $2,891 |
| North Dakota | $2,861 |
| Ohio | $2,898 |
| Oklahoma | $2,681 |
| Oregon | $3,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,062 |
| Rhode Island | $3,169 |
| South Carolina | $2,901 |
| South Dakota | $2,784 |
| Tennessee | $2,771 |
| Texas | $2,889 |
| Utah | $3,079 |
| Vermont | $3,280 |
| Virginia | $3,055 |
| Washington | $3,470 |
| West Virginia | $2,814 |
| Wisconsin | $2,915 |
| Wyoming | $2,871 |
Does insurance cover a lip lift?
A lip lift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not typically covered by health insurance.6
How Does a Lift Lip Work?
Here’s what you can expect before, during and after a lip lift procedure.
Preparation
Before a lip lift procedure, you’ll want to take steps to ensure you are in good general health and have made any work arrangements needed during the procedure and your recovery.7
Patients should avoid food, beverages or medicines that increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. Most surgeons will also recommend stopping any tobacco use in the weeks before your procedure since they can hinder the healing process.7
Ensure you have any postoperative supplies, medications or prescriptions recommended by your surgeon, as well as soft foods that put limited strain on the mouth and lips while you are recovering.7
Procedure
Most lip lift procedures are performed under local anesthesia, although some surgeons or patients may opt for intravenous sedation. Depending on the type of lip lift being performed, the surgeon will create an incision and remove a small portion of skin. The remaining skin will be lifted and sutured closed. The procedure usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes to complete.6
Recovery
After a lip lift, patients can expect swelling and discomfort at the incision sites for about 72 hours. Some bruising may occur; however, pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter medication. The incision sites will be covered by a bandage, and any sutures are usually removed after one week.6
Your surgeon may recommend decreased physical activity for two to three weeks following a lip lift. The final results of a lip lift can be expected to stabilize two or three months after the procedure.8
Lip lift scarring will vary based on the type of lip lift procedure. The bullhorn and Italian lip lifts will leave a scar under the nostrils, while direct, central and corner lip lifts will leave a scar along the top of the lip line.3 Only a V-Y lip lift leaves no visible scar since the procedure is performed on the inside of the lips.4
Potential Side Effects of a Lip Lift
As with all surgical procedures, a lip lift — although generally considered safe — does have some potential side effects:9
- Infection
- Asymmetry
- Scarring
- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma
- Swelling
- Bruising
Many potential side effects associated with a lip lift can be lessened by following the preoperative and postoperative guidelines provided by your surgeon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Lifts
Still have questions about lip lift procedures? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this treatment.
Financing a Lip Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a lip lift and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.
Related Tags
Want to share this on social media?
ARTICLE
