Have you wondered whether placement of hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane© in the lips can impart a more voluminous and youthful appearance to your lips? Have you wondered how this compares with a surgical lip lift? The lip lift is a procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation to address specific aesthetic concerns of the lip that lip filler cannot. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.
The Lip Lift Can Address What Lip Filler Cannot
The red portion of the upper lip loses height and volume as we age. Some individuals are born with thin, deflated lips. Lip filler can re-volumize deflated lips. However, lip filler cannot increase the height of the red lip without projecting it, potentially resulting in a “duck-lipped” appearance. In addition to the red lip, the area of the lip between the red lip and the base of the nose lengthens as we age. This can be worsened by overfilling the lip with hyaluronic acid. The lip lift can be an excellent option to improve the height of the red lip and restore a “pouty” appearance to the lip by reducing the overall length of the lip to a more youthful length. The incision is hidden in a natural crease at the base of the nose.
Lip Lift Versus Lip Filler: Blog Post Added Text
Deciding Between a Lip Lift and Lip Filler is a Decision Between Structural Change and Volume
A surgical lip lift can restore more youthful proportions to the upper lip by excising skin in complex shapes based on precise measurements that are individually tailored. The procedure can improve facial balance by addressing lip proportion. In contrast, lip filler involves the placement of hyaluronic acid that is chemically cross-linked to have specific structural qualities, called rheology, in the space between the surface of the red lip mucosa and the deep muscle, called the orbicularis oris, for the purpose of adding volume to the red lip. The procedures are completely different. They address different problems.
The following table lists some of the specific aesthetic issues each procedure is more appropriate to address:
| Lip Lift | Lip Filler |
| Lengthened, thinning upper lip skin | Deflated upper lip |
| Drooping of the outer edges of the upper lip | Deflated lower lip |
| A short, thin red upper lip | |
| Asymmetric red upper lip | |
| Loss of upper lip tooth show when lips are in repose |
There are a larger number of features in which lip lift surgery is more appropriate to treat than lip filler. However, a lip lift and lip filler are not mutually exclusive. Many patients can benefit from both procedures.
While a lip lift addresses proportions, lip filler addresses deflation. It is common for a patient to undergo a lip lift followed by lip filler to maintain the volume of the red upper and lower lips. After all, the lip lift does not address age-related changes to the lower lip.
Lip Filler Can Complement the Lip Lift
It is important to note that while the lip lift can address aesthetic concerns lip filler cannot, this does not prevent you from receiving hyaluronic acid filler in the future to re-volumize a deflated lip as demonstrated in the before-and-after images below. In fact, hyaluronic acid filler can be a wonderful complement to the lip lift.
The above patient underwent a lip lift followed by lip filler in order to balance her bottom lip volume with her top lip.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
It is important to seek a double board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck.
Why Choose Dr. Harmon
- The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good.
- Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
- Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected.
- Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology.
- Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati.
- Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati.
- Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City.
Request a Consultation
Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon’s credentials, style and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop at searching “plastic surgery near me.” Get in touch with us today to learn more!
Disclaimer
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute direct medical advice. It is essential that you have a consultation with a qualified medical provider prior to considering any treatment. This will allow you the opportunity to discuss any potential benefits, risks, and alternatives to the treatment.
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Take the first step toward enhancing your natural beauty by scheduling a personalized consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Harmon. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon trained by the pioneer of the extended deep plane facelift, Dr. Harmon offers expert guidance and care. Whether you're considering surgical or non-surgical options, our team is here to support your journey to renewed confidence.