A female patient being marked by surgeon before her facial plastic surgery

Lip Lift: Overview, Recovery, and Before and After

Information About Lip Lift Procedures in New York City with Top Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono.

What is a Lip Lift?

Lip Lift Dr. Jacono is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgical procedures. See before and after lip lift photos in this video.

The lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip for a more youthful, attractive position. It provides long-term results and negates the need for lip implants and injections. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, this is one of the most common facial plastic surgical procedures.

As we age, the lips lose their fullness. The distance between the tip of the nose and the upper lip also becomes longer, which makes the whole face appear older. In severe cases, the upper lip becomes so long that it hangs over the teeth. Other patients are born with naturally thin lips and desire a change.

Dr. Jacono is an expert in making lips look natural, utilizing many different techniques to achieve great results.

What Are the Different Types of Lip Lifts?

There are many different types of techniques. The most common include:

  • Bullhorn (Subnasal)
  • Gull Wing
  • Italian
  • Corner

Bullhorn (Subnasal) Lip Lift

Bullhorn Lip Lift Surgery
Bullhorn Lip Lift Surgery

The bullhorn lip lift raises the upper lip to reveal more of the top teeth. This increases the lip’s volume and brings better aesthetic proportion to the lower lip.

During a bullhorn procedure, Dr. Jacono cuts an incision beneath the nose in the shape of a bull’s horn. A small strip of skin and tissue is removed. The muscles are then tightened, and the upper lip is raised to its new position. The procedure takes about 45 minutes, and the recovery time is between 5 and 7 days.

This surgical technique leaves virtually undetectable scars and can be performed under local anesthesia, making it more affordable than other augmentation procedures.

Gull Wing Lip Lift

The gull wing removes a strip of skin from the upper lip. The incision is M-shaped and is placed where the pink part of the lip meets the skin. While this technique is effective, it leaves a visible scar and is therefore not the most desirable option.

Italian Lip Lift

The Italian involves an incision beneath each nostril. These incisions are smaller than those of the bullhorn lift. Skin is removed before the right and left sides of the lip are separately lifted. The wounds are then closed, and the distance between the lip and the nose is reduced.

This technique is better for more subtle lifts, and for lips that are not as long.

Corner Lip Lift

The corner is best for patients who have downturned lip corners. The incisions are made on the edge of the outer lips before a small, triangular area of skin is removed from the corners of the mouth which upturns the lips.

This variation provides a permanent solution to oral commissure grooves (wrinkles at the corner of the mouth). If these grooves are deep, surgery may not provide complete correction, though there is usually significant improvement.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Unlike injections, lifts provide results that last a lifetime. Patients will not have to spend money on repeat treatments. 

Lip Lift Recovery

Recovery is relatively quick and sutures are usually removed 5 to 7 days after surgery. Patients should expect the lips to swell for one to two weeks. Incisions can take about 6 to 8 weeks to completely heal. Patients may also experience a feeling of mild tightness for 2 to 4 months

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Lip Lift Before and After Photos


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 1:

This patient wanted fuller, more youthful lips. Dr. Jacono performed a lip lift and a deep plane facelift for a full facial rejuvenation. Her lips look plumper and enhance her overall facial rejuvenation look.

Before & After
lip lift before and after
Before & After
Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 2:

This patient was unhappy with her long upper lip and drooping nasal tip. Dr. Jacono performed a deep-plane facelift and upper lip lift. He also performed a nasal tip plasty to correct her dorsal hump.

Before & After
best lip lift surgeon nyc
Before & After
best lip lift surgeon


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 3:

This woman was unhappy with the space between her upper lip and the base of her nose. Dr. Jacono shortened the distance between her lips and her nose.

Before & After
lip lift before and after
Before & After
Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 4:

This patient had a facelift and a lip lift. The procedure reduced the space between her upper lip and the base of her nose and her lips look considerably fuller.

best lip lift before after


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 5:

This patient wanted to correct her drooping cheeks, tired eyes, nasolabial folds, and hanging neck. She also wanted plumper lips. Dr. Jacono performed a deep-plane facelift, a temporal lift, an upper eye lift and lower blepharoplasty, and a neck lift with a platysmaplasty. He also performed a lip lift coupled with a chin augmentation. Her after photos look very natural and 25 years younger.

Before & After
Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo
Before & After
Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Upper Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 6:

This patient had an upper lip that became long and thin with age. After surgery with Dr. Jacono, her upper lip now looks poutier and more youthful.

lip lift patient before and after photos


Upper Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 7:

This woman was unhappy with the space between her nose and upper lip. She also felt that her lips were beginning to thin. Through surgery, Dr. Jacono corrected these issues.

Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Upper Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 8:

This woman was unhappy with her thin upper lip. Dr. Jacono shortened the distance between her nose and the top of her mouth.

Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Upper Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 9:

This patient wanted to reduce the space between her nose and her lips. Dr. Jacono performed a lip lift.

Lip Lift Before and After - Patient photo


Lip Lift Before and After – Patient 10:

This woman wanted a fuller upper lip. Dr. Jacono reduced the distance between her upper lip and her nostrils. This also restored the facial volume she had lost with age.

lip lift patient before and after photos


The photographs above are before and after photographs of Doctor Jacono’s patients. These are actual results and have not been altered for presentation here.

More Patient Photos

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