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What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a short surgical procedure that permanently reduces the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, creating a fuller, more visible upper lip and a more youthful mouth appearance. Unlike lip fillers, which add volume through injection, a lip lift changes the actual structure of the lip by lifting it upward. This exposes more of the pink portion of the upper lip, improves definition in the Cupid's bow, and can restore proportion that has been lost to aging. The results are permanent and do not require ongoing maintenance.

The Lip Lift Procedure

Lip lift surgery at StudioMD is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Your surgeon makes a small, carefully designed incision just beneath the nostrils, in the natural crease at the base of the nose, where any residual scar is well concealed. A small amount of skin is removed, and the lip is lifted and sutured into its new position. The procedure generally takes about one hour and is performed on an outpatient basis. The incision placement is critical to a natural-looking outcome. Your surgeon at StudioMD designs the incision with precision to ensure that scarring is minimal and sits naturally within the contours of the nose base.

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Benefits of a Lip Lift

Patients who choose a lip lift often find that it produces a more meaningful and lasting change to their upper lip than injectables alone. The benefits include a permanently shorter philtrum, increased visibility and fullness of the upper lip, improved Cupid's bow definition, and a more youthful mouth proportion overall. For patients who have found that filler does not fully address their concern, a lip lift may be the more appropriate and effective solution. Because the results are permanent, patients do not need to maintain their improvement with repeat treatments.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?

Good candidates for a lip lift are adults who have a longer philtrum, whether due to aging or their natural anatomy, who desire a fuller and more prominent upper lip and improved lip proportion. Candidates should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome. A lip lift is often a good option for patients who feel that their upper lip appears thin or flat and who have not found injectable options satisfying. Your StudioMD surgeon will evaluate your lip anatomy and facial proportions during a detailed consultation to determine whether a lip lift is the best approach.

Lip Lift Pricing

$4500

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Why Choose StudioMD for a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a delicate procedure that requires both surgical precision and an aesthetic eye for proportion. At StudioMD, our board-certified plastic surgeons bring both to every patient. We understand that the goal is not a dramatically altered appearance but a natural improvement in lip fullness and proportion that looks effortless. With procedures performed in a Joint Commission-accredited facility and a team with deep experience in facial surgery, StudioMD offers the expertise and the environment for safe, consistent results. We have been serving New York patients since 2008 and have completed over 100,000 aesthetic treatments.

Meet Your Providers In aesthetics, provider quality & experience mean everything.

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khan

Dr. Ali Khan, MD

Physician

Dr. Ali Khan, with 18+ years in aesthetics, is a Smartlipo pioneer with 5,000+ procedures performed. He specializes in liposuction, injectables, hair restoration, and minor surgical treatments.

dr anni wong plastic surgeon

Dr. Anni Wong, MD

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Anni Wong is a fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced training from the University of Pennsylvania and a residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai. She specializes in rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, lip lift, and a comprehensive range of surgical and nonsurgical facial procedures. A New Jersey native and Alpha Omega Alpha honoree, Dr. Wong is known for her precise technique and commitment to natural, balanced results.

qazi

Dr. Sadaf Qazi, DO

Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Sadaf Qazi is a skilled cosmetic surgeon specializing in body contouring, facial procedures, and injectables. Her expertise spans tummy tucks, BBL, liposuction, breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, and advanced dermal filler techniques.

singh

Dr. Amar Singh, MD

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Amar Singh is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Trained in multiple fellowships, he specializes in facial plastic surgery, liposuction, injectables, and advanced laser treatments, while actively teaching future surgeons.

kolarov

Dr. Sanja Kolarov, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Sanja Kolarov, a board-certified physician with 17+ years of experience, specializes in injectables, laser treatments, liposuction, hair restoration, and regenerative therapies, providing patients with advanced, medically guided aesthetic care and natural results.

alcarez

Dr. Kathryn Alcarez, MD

Physician

Dr. Kathryn Alcarez is an experienced Primary Care Physician with 13+ years of experience and specializes in dermal fillers, wellness, and skin rejuvenation treatments. Her caring approach to her patients is to provide the best preventative care modalities and evidence based medicine possible to maintain their long term health and wellness.

corson

Dr. Meredith Corson, DO

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Meredith Corson is a seasoned Primary Care Physician specializing in anti-aging medicine, promoting both internal and external wellness. With over 16 years of experience, she has honed skills in toxins applications, biostimulator fillers, and wellness treatments, earning a solid reputation in facial aesthetics.

sanchez

Vanessa Sanchez, NP

Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner

Vanessa Sanchez, a board-certified nurse practitioner with 8+ years of experience, specializes in women’s health, injectables, and advanced anti-aging. She also provides personalized weight loss treatments designed to support long-term aesthetic and wellness goals.

talat

Dr. Afnan Talat, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Afnan Talat, a board-certified physician with 9+ years of experience, specializes in aesthetics, weight loss, and sexual health. Her background in skincare science informs her expertise in botox, fillers, and anti-aging medicine.

zachariah

Dr. Jeena Zachariah, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Jeena Zachariah is a board-certified physician with over five years experience in aesthetic medicine. She excels in facial optimization through the use of neuromodulators and dermal fillers, performs radiosurgeries, body contouring injections and hair restoration surgeries, demonstrating a keen eye for detail in every procedure.

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Maria Rivera, RN

Clinical & Operations Director for Hair Restoration

Maria Rivera has over twenty years of experience in the medical field and hair restoration and is a leading expert in FUE, FUT, hair injections and everything else about hair loss treatments and procedures.

ioannou

Niki Ioannou, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Niki Ioannou specializes in advanced injectables including Botox, Fillers, Sculptra, and Radiesse, as well as non-surgical weight loss treatments. Known for her precision and personalized care, Niki combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of facial anatomy to help patients look and feel their best.

makartian

Dr. Lena Makartian, MD

Physician

Dr. Lena Makartian is a board‑certified Primary Care Physician with over five years of clinical experience. She specializes in injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, body contouring, hair restoration, wellness and weight-management therapies, offering patients comprehensive, medically guided aesthetic care.

Dr. Sarah Margolskee, MD

Physician

Dr. Sarah Margolskee is a board-certified physician with over 5 years of experience specializing in wellness, injectables, and aesthetic medicine. Her clinical background informs her precise approach to skin lesions, mole removal, and personalized weight loss treatments designed to support long-term health and confidence.

Dr. Louis Mariotti, DO

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Mariotti is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, specialist in Hair Restoration Medicine and Surgery. With over 30 years of experience and a strong background in facial plastic surgery and hair restoration, he has trained and instructed other surgeons at leading conferences and has been actively involved in advancing techniques within the field.

Madisyn Ferone, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Madisyn Ferone is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner. She specializes in advanced injectables including Botox, Fillers, Sculptra, and Radiesse. Madisyn brings a patient-centered aesthetic care, and evidence-based beauty enhancements. Passionate about helping patients feel confident through natural-looking results while combining advanced clinical expertise with personalized treatment planning.

Recovery After a Lip Lift

Most patients experience some swelling and bruising in the upper lip area following a lip lift, with the most pronounced swelling typically in the first one to two weeks. You will need to avoid excessive facial movements and stick to a soft diet for the first week as the incisions heal. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for three to four weeks. Sutures are typically removed within five to seven days. The incision scar begins as a fine line and fades significantly over the following months.

What to Expect from Your Results

A lip lift produces permanent improvement in lip proportion. You will notice the initial result shortly after your procedure, once the initial swelling begins to subside, with the final, settled result visible at about three months. The improvement in upper lip fullness, Cupid's bow definition, and overall facial youthfulness is meaningful and lasting. Many patients find that a lip lift also reduces their reliance on injectable fillers or other maintenance treatments.

FAQs Lip Lift

How is a lip lift different from lip fillers?

Lip fillers add volume through injectable substances and require ongoing maintenance, typically every six to twelve months. A lip lift is a surgical procedure that permanently shortens the space between the nose and upper lip, lifting the lip into a more youthful position. The two approaches address different concerns and can be complementary, but a lip lift provides structural change that fillers cannot replicate.

Will I have a visible scar?

The incision for a lip lift is placed in the natural crease just beneath the nostrils, where it is well concealed. The scar typically heals as a fine line and becomes very difficult to detect within several months. Proper wound care and sun protection during healing support good scar outcomes.

Does a lip lift make lips look unnatural?

When performed by an experienced surgeon with an eye for proportion, a lip lift produces results that look entirely natural. The goal is not to create an exaggerated lip but to restore a more youthful, balanced proportion. Your StudioMD surgeon will discuss the appropriate amount of lift for your anatomy.

How long does recovery take?

Most patients return to work and normal activities within one to two weeks. Swelling and bruising peak in the first week and improve steadily from there. Full, final results are typically visible by about three months.

Can a lip lift be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Lip lifts are frequently combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, or facelift. They can also be performed alongside injectable treatments for comprehensive lip enhancement. Your StudioMD surgeon can discuss what combinations align with your goals.

Is the result permanent?

Yes. The improvement in philtrum length and upper lip position achieved through a lip lift is permanent. Natural aging will continue over time, but the structural change created by the procedure remains.

Start Your Journey Today

If you have been considering a lip lift in NYC, the StudioMD plastic surgery team is ready to help you explore your options. Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals, review your lip anatomy, and find out whether a lip lift is the right step for you. Our surgeons will give you an honest, thorough assessment with no pressure to proceed until you feel ready.

Start Your Journey Today Schedule a Consultation

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