If you are concerned about a long philtrum, limited upper-tooth show, a thin-looking upper vermilion, or age-related elongation of the upper lip, a Lip Lift may be considered. The procedure surgically shortens the skin between the nose and upper lip, allowing more of the upper vermilion to show and changing the proportions of the central lower face.

Hongdae and Sinchon are convenient areas for Lip Lift consultations in Seoul, especially for international residents, students, and travelers seeking facial and perioral cosmetic surgery.

What Is a Lip Lift?

A Lip Lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the cutaneous upper lip, most commonly by removing a customized strip of skin beneath the nasal base.

The most familiar approach is the subnasal or bullhorn Lip Lift, in which an incision follows the natural contours beneath the nostrils and columella. After removing selected tissue, the lower incision edge is advanced upward and carefully closed.

Consultation → facial and lip assessment → incision design → upper-lip shortening → tissue fixation → closure → recovery → follow-up.

When Might You Consider a Lip Lift?

A Lip Lift may be considered for:

• Long philtrum
• Limited upper-incisor show
• Thin visible upper vermilion
• Age-related upper-lip elongation
• Desire for a shorter nose-to-lip distance
• Desire for greater upper-lip show without relying only on filler
• Facial imbalance related to upper-lip length
• Upper-lip changes after selected orthodontic or jaw procedures

In a retrospective study of 202 Asian patients, central Lip Lift surgery significantly shortened philtral length and increased visible upper vermilion. The study also highlighted that younger Asian patients may seek the procedure for reasons different from age-related upper-lip elongation.

What Can a Lip Lift Change?

Philtrum Length

The philtrum is the vertical region between the base of the nose and upper vermilion.

Lip Lift surgery can reduce this distance, creating a shorter upper-lip proportion. A retrospective study of 55 patients found an average 21.5% reduction in measured upper-lip length after subnasal Lip Lift.

Upper Vermilion Show

Shortening the cutaneous upper lip can expose more of the pink portion of the lip.

The same 55-patient study reported an average 31.5% increase in visible vermilion after surgery.

Upper-Tooth Show

Lip Lift surgery may increase visibility of the upper incisors at rest or during expression.

In the same clinical series, average tooth show increased by approximately 1.52 mm, although the appropriate amount varies substantially between patients.

Common Lip Lift Techniques

Subnasal Bullhorn Lip Lift

The bullhorn Lip Lift uses an incision shaped to follow the inferior contours of the nose.

Selected skin is removed beneath the nostrils and nasal base, allowing the upper lip to be advanced upward. The amount removed should be customized according to facial proportions and desired change.

Central Lip Lift

A central Lip Lift focuses on shortening the central upper lip and improving the relationship between the philtrum and visible vermilion.

Clinical research involving Asian patients has demonstrated significant changes in philtral length and upper-lip proportions with central Lip Lift techniques.

Endonasal Lip Lift

Some techniques extend portions of the incision into the nasal sill or nostril to help hide scars and distribute tension.

A 15-year series involving 311 endonasal Lip Lifts reported improvements in lip shortening, dental show, vermilion display, and projection, while noting possible complications such as undercorrection, sill widening, and alar distortion.

Lip Lift Surgery Process

A typical surgical process may include:

1. Plastic or facial surgery consultation
2. Assessment of philtrum length and upper-lip proportions
3. Evaluation of upper-tooth show and smile
4. Customized subnasal incision design
5. Removal of selected skin and soft tissue
6. Tissue suspension or fixation when indicated
7. Careful closure beneath the nasal base

Some techniques also modify or suspend the orbicularis oris muscle. In an 84-patient Asian clinical series using a T-shaped muscle-resection technique, most followed patients reported high or satisfactory postoperative results.

Lip Lift vs Lip Filler

These treatments work differently.

Lip Lift

• Surgically shortens the upper-lip skin
• Increases visible vermilion
• Can increase upper-tooth show
• Changes nose-to-lip proportions
• Leaves a surgical scar beneath the nose

Lip Filler

• Adds volume
• Does not shorten the philtrum
• Does not remove upper-lip skin
• Usually produces temporary volume enhancement

A patient with a long philtrum may not achieve the same proportional change simply by adding more filler.

Lip Lift vs Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation primarily aims to increase lip volume or projection, while Lip Lift surgery changes the vertical position and proportions of the upper lip.

Some patients need:

• Lip Lift alone
• Volume enhancement alone
• A carefully planned combination

The decision should depend on whether the main concern is length, volume, shape, tooth show, or several factors together.

Lip Lift vs Corner Lip Lift

These procedures address different areas.

A Lip Lift primarily elevates the central upper lip, while a corner or oral commissure lift raises downward-facing corners of the mouth.

Patients who are mainly concerned about a long philtrum may not need corner surgery, and patients with downturned mouth corners may not benefit adequately from a central Lip Lift alone.

Can a Lip Lift Make the Upper Lip Look Fuller?

Yes, without necessarily adding filler.

By shortening the skin above the upper lip, more of the vermilion becomes visible, which can make the upper lip appear fuller.

Clinical measurements after subnasal Lip Lift have demonstrated increases in visible vermilion and tooth show even though the procedure is not fundamentally a volume-injection treatment.

Can a Lip Lift Improve Tooth Show?

Yes, particularly when a long upper lip covers much of the maxillary incisors.

A 55-patient study documented increased tooth display after subnasal Lip Lift, while studies in Asian patients have similarly described improved upper-lip and dental proportions after surgery.

However, excessive tooth show should be avoided, so the amount of shortening must be individualized.

Can a Lip Lift Change the Nose?

Potentially.

Because the incision and tissue movement occur directly beneath the nasal base, Lip Lift surgery can influence nearby nasal measurements.

A retrospective study of 55 patients found measurable changes in nasolabial angle, alar width, and apparent nasal projection following subnasal Lip Lift.

Patients who are planning rhinoplasty should therefore discuss the timing and interaction of both procedures carefully.

Lip Lift and Rhinoplasty

Lip Lift and rhinoplasty may sometimes be performed together or in a staged sequence.

A clinical series of 51 patients undergoing combined open rhinoplasty, alar reduction, and bullhorn Lip Lift reported no infections or vascular complications in that study population, although scar quality varied among individual patients.

Combination surgery should still be planned individually because both procedures affect the nasal base and upper-lip region.

Lip Lift After Jaw Surgery

Previous orthognathic surgery can influence upper-lip proportions.

A recent 17-patient clinical series described staged orthognathic surgery followed by subnasal Lip Lift when skeletal correction and upper-lip shortening were both required.

Patients with significant skeletal abnormalities should therefore be evaluated for the underlying jaw relationship before assuming that Lip Lift alone will provide the appropriate correction.

Does a Lip Lift Leave a Scar?

Yes.

A traditional subnasal Lip Lift creates a scar along the base of the nose, nostril contours, and columellar region.

Careful design places the incision within natural transitions beneath the nose, but scar visibility varies according to:

• Skin type
• Individual healing
• Incision tension
• Surgical technique
• Previous nasal surgery
• Amount of tissue removed

In a clinical series combining Lip Lift with rhinoplasty and alar reduction, most scars were judged favorably, although some patients developed less-than-optimal or mildly indented scars.

Can Lip Lift Scars Become Noticeable?

Yes.

Possible scar-related concerns include:

• Redness
• Widening
• Raised scar
• Depression or indentation
• Pigment differences
• Asymmetry around the nasal base

Even when an incision is positioned beneath the nose, a completely invisible scar cannot be guaranteed.

Patients with a history of hypertrophic or prominent scars should discuss this before surgery.

Can a Lip Lift Change the Nostrils?

Yes, in some patients.

Changes can include:

• Slight alar widening
• Nasal-sill distortion
• Changes in the nasolabial angle
• Asymmetry around the nasal base

A clinical study documented a small but statistically significant increase in alar width after subnasal Lip Lift, while a large endonasal series identified sill widening and alar distortion as possible complications.

Can Too Much Upper Lip Be Removed?

Yes.

Overcorrection can potentially create:

• Excessively short philtrum
• Too much tooth show
• Unnatural upper-lip tension
• Excessive vermilion exposure
• Nasal-base distortion
• Difficulty with revision surgery

Because skin excision cannot simply be replaced, conservative and proportion-based planning is important.

The goal should be balanced facial proportions, not the shortest possible philtrum.

Can a Lip Lift Look Natural?

Yes.

Natural-looking results depend on balancing:

• Philtrum length
• Upper-lip height
• Vermilion exposure
• Tooth show
• Cupid's bow
• Nasal base
• Lower-face proportions

Clinical studies in Asian patients demonstrate that upper-lip shortening can improve facial proportions when the amount of resection is appropriately selected.

When Do Results Appear?

The upper lip is repositioned during surgery, but early results may be affected by:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Scar redness
• Temporary tightness
• Asymmetry
• Initial over-elevation

The lip generally becomes more natural as swelling decreases and the scar matures.

In an 84-patient Asian clinical series, outcomes were assessed from the early postoperative period through 3–24 months, reflecting that scar and lip appearance continue changing well beyond the first few weeks.

What Is Recovery Like?

Temporary postoperative symptoms may include:

• Upper-lip swelling
• Bruising
• Tightness
• Tenderness
• Numbness
• Temporary smile stiffness
• Scar redness
• Temporary asymmetry

Patients should avoid judging the final philtrum length or lip shape while significant swelling is still present.

Recovery can also differ when Lip Lift is combined with rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, or other perioral procedures.

Possible Risks and Complications

Potential complications may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Visible scarring
• Scar widening or indentation
• Asymmetry
• Under-correction
• Overcorrection
• Alar widening
• Nasal-sill distortion
• Changes in nasal appearance
• Temporary numbness
• Unsatisfactory lip shape
• Need for revision surgery

Clinical studies specifically document possible changes in alar width and nasal proportions, making nasal-base assessment an important part of preoperative planning.

Are Lip Lift Results Permanent?

The skin removed during surgery does not grow back, so the structural shortening is intended to be long-lasting.

However, the face continues to change because of:

• Aging
• Skin relaxation
• Scar maturation
• Changes in lip volume
• Dental and skeletal changes

Long-term results therefore should not be interpreted as completely static.

A recent retrospective study specifically evaluated long-term outcomes after subnasal bullhorn Lip Lift across patient characteristics, reflecting ongoing interest in durability and individual variation.

Revision Lip Lift

Revision surgery may be considered for:

• Residual long philtrum
• Asymmetry
• Prominent scar
• Nasal-base distortion
• Insufficient vermilion show
• Excessive shortening
• Uneven Cupid's bow

Revision can be more difficult because previous surgery may create scar tissue and altered nasal-base anatomy.

Patients who have already undergone Lip Lift or rhinoplasty should provide their previous operative history during consultation.

Lip Lift for International Patients

When contacting a plastic surgery clinic, consider asking:

• Is English consultation available?
• Is my philtrum actually long for my facial proportions?
• How much skin is planned for removal?
• Which Lip Lift technique will be used?
• How much upper-tooth show is expected?
• Could my nostril shape or nasal width change?
• Where exactly will the scar be located?
• How will the incision be closed to minimize tension?
• How long should I stay in Korea?
• Is postoperative follow-up included?

If you have previously undergone Rhinoplasty, Alar Reduction, Jaw Surgery, Lip Filler, Lip Lift, or other perioral surgery, tell the surgeon because previous treatment can influence surgical planning.

Choosing a Lip Lift Clinic in Hongdae or Sinchon

Consider:

• Qualified plastic or facial surgeon
• Experience with subnasal Lip Lift surgery
• Detailed philtrum and smile assessment
• Evaluation of nasal-base anatomy
• Conservative skin-excision planning
• Careful scar-placement technique
• Assessment of upper-tooth show
• Experience with revision Lip Lift
• English communication
• Transparent surgery costs

Clinical studies show that Lip Lift surgery can significantly alter philtrum length, vermilion exposure, tooth show, and even nasal-base measurements, making comprehensive facial assessment important before surgery.

Hongdae & Sinchon Medical Care

Hongdae is convenient for patients around:

Hongik University · Yeonnam-dong · Hapjeong · Sangsu · Mapo

Sinchon is convenient for patients around:

Yonsei University · Ewha Womans University · Seodaemun · Mapo

Common searches include:

• Lip Lift Hongdae
• Subnasal Lip Lift Hongdae
• Philtrum Reduction Hongdae
• Lip Lift Sinchon
• Bullhorn Lip Lift Sinchon
• English speaking plastic surgery clinic Sinchon



Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Lip Lift?

A Lip Lift is surgery that shortens the skin between the nose and upper lip, typically increasing visible upper vermilion and potentially improving upper-tooth show.

Is a Lip Lift the same as Lip Filler?

No. Lip Lift changes upper-lip position and philtrum length, while filler primarily adds volume.

Does a Lip Lift leave a scar?

Yes. A subnasal Lip Lift creates an incision beneath the nasal base. Careful placement can make it less conspicuous, but visible or irregular scarring remains possible.

Can a Lip Lift change my nose?

Yes. Clinical measurements show that Lip Lift surgery can affect alar width, nasolabial angle, and perceived nasal projection, although the extent varies between patients.

Can foreigners get a Lip Lift in Seoul?

Yes. International patients can contact plastic surgery clinics in Seoul regarding facial assessment, surgical technique, scar planning, recovery, postoperative monitoring, and English-language support.